Oil on water

This was a challenging skill to learn. And back breaking. What I found out is that oil in water is like a bunch of lemmings. They all like to cuddle together and make one big splotch. So I had to stir the pot a lot, wait until the water slowed down, and oil spots were in a good place. First attempt was with a rectangle cake pan and that took too much water and oil. Another issue that I have had to deal with is the manufacturer stamp in the center of the glass pans. Also worked with 3 different lenses and finally used two Kenko extensions on my regular lens to get the right macro effect.  White bag is for weight to keep camera from falling over. Three food cans are in the bag. Once again I could have used the remote trigger that is MIA.

Wrapping paper

This was created with that funky glass lid and water with wrapping paper underneath.

Still learning the glitches with the blog. This was done on the desk top computer and most are done on the laptop. Wondered where yesterday's post was, guess I forgot to do it so did two today.

More blue and green

Looked for yesterday's post and it was MIA so will do two today. This glass reflection is not the greatest.

Blue and green abstract

This glass had blue and green behind it to get the colors.

Wine glass variation

With this wine glass the design of the glass created an interesting refraction.

Not a daisy

When I first glanced at this flower I thought it was a daisy, but from the Botanical list it is an Anemone. Pedals are not pointed like a daisy, so duh. I am not a gardener!

Wind chill 17

 Oh dear-- "tail views" of the geese which has been a no no in the camera club competition. What struck me a interesting is they looked as cold as I with the cold wind to  their backs. When I zoomed in I could see their eye watching me. Sun was out when I headed out, but brrrrr.

Botanical Garden

Stopped into the Botanical Gardens again to check out any new flowers. This was one, sorry didn't get the name. The tulip that I posted recently is looking sad.

Trial and error

Another experiment in water, glass, and oil refraction. What I leaned is that I have a whole of of learning before I accomplish this technique. Back breaking, time consuming photography and I again need to get more supplies to achieve what I want. Clear glass cake pan, different paper, eye dropper to name a few.  This was done with a lid that had raised circles in it.

Grey and Black refraction

The grey and white stripped paper is not as effective as the stronger contrasting paper below.

Fantasy

Way back in January I posted a photo of crystals on a light box with a scarf. This is one from that shoot that I didn't like the composition so I cropped it and intensified the colors. Today (Friday) I got home from the gym tired, sore, sat down at the computer and and photo shopped the above in to the various designs that are below.  Guess I am just losing it with all the high winds.

Blue and yellow

This is a variation on water in the glasses with colored back lighting.  Only the last glass has

water in it.

3 glasses

With this set up there are 3 glasses lined up with colored water in the last one. Without the water in the 2 front glasses the distortion is minimal and with the colored water it doesn't show.

And the rest of the orchid

Here is the whole flower from yesterday's post. The blue behind the orchid created a nice contrast and isolates the flower. The large blue tubes are filled with water for climate control in the Botanical Garden building. 

Orchid

Blooming orchid that is in the Botanical Gardens. Stopping by and finding awesome flowers during our windy winter ugly season was a treat.

Blue and green reflections

Variation on the reflected water glasses. It's Presidents day, whoops could have done something Patriotic.

Happy Valentine's Day

Today is St Valentines Day, or as Kiera says "single awareness day".   This photo was challenging since the Hershey's kisses were in the dark and using a flash straight on the glass creates hot spots. I ended up using the 2 foot reflector that I use for portraits and the flash off camera pointed towards the reflector and not the kisses. I could have used an extra pair of hands, or the remote trigger for the camera that is MIA.  This year of posts continues to keep me on a learning curve.

Red spiral

I liked the way this image turned out to create an illusion of liquefied crystal. It was created from the image below that has nothing special going for it and just glass, not crystal wine glasses. It also has highlights from the window and a blah background.

Winter Patterns

This is a break from all the table top wine glasses that I have been photographing. The patterns that wind creates to snow and sand can shape ripples and drifts that are interesting.  This was later in the day and ended up with blue snow and didn't work to remove it. I found this along the Greenway in Mylar Park.  Okay, it was there last Tuesday the day I walked, probably not there now!

Twisted vase

This vase was color corrected and distorted in elements.Working with the tabletop can be time consuming, but is fun and seems to be an on going theme with my photos lately.  And there are no 40 mph wind gusts inside my house.

Twirled wine glass and water

 This is the glass below that was distorted in Elements

Water distortion.

Distortions X 3

Here is another variation of water refraction with wine glasses and flower vase. On the days that I do table top photography I end up with several that I will post intermittently with others for variety.

Twirled glass

Light, colors, water and Photoshop created this really strange wine glass.

Vase with refraction

Getting the colors to reverse was a huge learning curve and I have lots to learn yet. The colors were red and yellow originally and I changed it in Light Room.

Water and glass distortion

These were created showing how water and glass can be distorted. I used the old slide film light box with wrapping paper and a Dollar Store glass. Little tired of shooting  snow.

Cold seat

This bench is located in Prixy's Pasture at UW. Wonder if they bothered to unload it since the students had not returned from winter break.

Snow art

After 8 to 12 inches of snow (hard to measure when the wind blows) this piece of garden art had a new look. The snow makes landscapes clean looking but I am ready for spring.

Snow sculpture

Snow left an interesting pile up from Monday's 10 to 12 inches of snow.

Struggling tree

Returning from Laramie I made a quick stop in Vedauwoo and found this struggling pine tree surrounded by wind blown snow.

Amethyst

This doesn't look much like an amethyst. Macro shot on a light box with a colored scarf then into Elements filters.

Okay, it still doesn't look like an amethyst.  Later....