Lens-Artists Challenge #315 – Common Object
We are so accustomed to seeing the world at eye level that we are bound to find new worlds whenever we shift our perspective. For example, when we use macro lenses to photograph what’s around us, we reveal unseen details. The same results can be shown by switching our perspective when photographing everyday objects. We often end up creating great photos and/or intriguing abstracts.
This week that is what Ritva is proposing in the lens-artists challenge. She suggests “taking the mundane and shining a different light on it. Highlighting an object or scene that we normally pass by without notice, and making it something special.” To respond to the challenge, I will focus on two areas: (1) when I am biking and (2) when I am at home.
“Connections” should give you an immediate view of what I photographed. What made this different is that I took advantage of the light and shadows to “create” an intricate pattern on the rail. The following image, though, may not be so obvious.
From this vantage point, a four-foot (1.2-meter) column may look like a tall building. I placed the camera on the ground to obtain this perspective and pointed it up.
What about the next photo?
The image title should give you a hint. You have seen that object thousands of times. The color treatment and viewpoint make this common and essential safety object different. I had a direct view from its top and used a monochrome edit to hide the usual red color in which we find these objects on the streets. If you guessed a fire hydrant, you got it right.
Now, let’s go inside. We use many things daily and ignore what they can reveal if we change our frame of reference. The first image is rather apparent. All I did to make it a bit different was to use a shallow depth of field and place the camera on the same level plane as the objects in the macro.
Finally, the last two images go together, as one inside the other. How often do you look down an empty glass and examine the refraction in a macro shot? I had a colorful placemat under the glass and shone a light to enhance the refraction. After that, I poured myself a refreshing drink and captured one final abstract.
Anne’s Shorelines took us to worlds we had not seen before last week. The galleries I saw were mesmerizing.
This week, Ritva asks us to look at a common object from a different point of view. I am excited to see what you will show us. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when responding to it so we can easily find it in the Reader.
I will host a new challenge next Saturday at noon EDT in the USA. I hope you will continue joining us each week. Stay tuned. Please visit this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
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Wandering Dawgs
Amazing images! I would have never known that was a fire hydrant! I love the way you captured the glass on a colorful place mat and the Refreshing one is my favorite.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for writing. I’m glad you liked the images. As for the hydrant, I had to remove the color in order to make it look uncommon.
Tina Schell
Your post this week is really incredible Egidio. I loved all of your images but especially the last two. So very clever and so beautiful! I also enjoyed your take on the subject, not quite as straight-forward as Ritva’s but wonderful food for thought enhanced by the marvelous images.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Tina. I tried to stick to everyday things I see at home and when I’m biking.
TextileRanger
I especially love that last one with bubbles inside bubbles inside bubbles. And different reflections make it look like little eyeballs are peering out.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much! That observation about the bubbles was very perceptive.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
I am crying – the title itself is captivating and I like the image you took. also the glass, It is funny today at lunch I had the same Idea to take a photo of the ice in my drink, but did not have my camera with me. Great photo. Also I like the mobile phone in the bubbles 🙂 I enjoyed how you used the perspective to create your lovely photos
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for such a fantastic challenge, Ritva. I loved how you proposed we look at things around us. I went biking earlier this week looking for those ordinary things. The column and fire hydrant were two images from that outing. It is so funny you caught the cell phone in the photo. I had not paid attention to its reflection.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Beautiful visions of the mundane through the macro lens, Egidio! I also like the zigzag textures of the fence!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Terri. I had fun with this challenge.
Vicki
Love them all but that final image is both interesting and surprising in its details. Great shot.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Vicki. That last image was a phone shot. You can even see the phone reflected in the bubbles.
Leanne Cole
Not things I would have thought of, which is one of the things I love about this challenge. Great objects and things Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne. I agree with you about the challenge. It got us to think outside the box.
bushboy
These are so good Egidio. I like the macro and the angles. The ice in glass and bubbles fabulous
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brian. I appreciate your feedback.
margaret21
I love the way you have made us engage brain in this post, and try to make us work out what you were up to! The resulting images are great in their own right.
Egidio Leitao
Margaret, that is a great feedback. Thank you.
Sofia Alves
Wonderful perspective on this challenge. You went on a unique direction and I’m glad you took us with you. Last two are favourites but I also like the knife and onions, that’s a great angle and focus!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sofia. I hope I was not too off the proposed challenge.
pattimoed
Wow, Egidio. You really took us on a wonderful tour of common objects captured with a different perspective! I especially love your images”Cryin'” and “Refreshing.” “Connections” is very cool, because it highlights how most of us would have overlooked the grain in the wood, which had a great visual impact. Now, I’m looking forward to your challenge next week. 😊
Egidio Leitao
Patti, I’m excited you liked the post and photos. Thank you for your feedback. I hope next week won’t be too bland.
Toonsarah
These are fabulous Egidio! I love the fire hydrant (and no, I didn’t guess what it was, probably because we don’t get them in this country although I’ve seen them in the US several times). And that final bubbles abstract is really effective, as is Cryin’ 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, thank you so much for this feedback.
Sylvia Bacon
As always, Egido, a great post showing the creative side of ordinary objects! I especially like the colorful placemat with the light on the glass, then when you added a drink – Wow!
Egidio Leitao
Sylvia, your kind words are much appreciated. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
carabeinsplash
Wow! The shot of the bubbles is mesmerizing! Although I liked them all. 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for writing. I appreciate your comment.
photobyjohnbo
Connections is a beautiful composition, but you’ve done a great job in making all of the object photos unique, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. That trail is not too far from our new home. I think with better weather now, I’ll do another ride there.
I.V. Greco
Wow! What a wonderful collection for this challenge.
Egidio Leitao
I.V., many thanks for this response. I appreciated it.
I.V. Greco
My pleasure.
JohnRH
Wowwww. Masterful presentation Egidio. Extremely well done. 👏👏👏
Egidio Leitao
John, you’re very kind. I do appreciate your compliment.
Anne Sandler
What an amazing and imaginative interpretation of this challenge Egidio. My favorites are your last two. So cool. And you’ve given me ideas for my response.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. I’m glad you found some inspiration in the photos. I’m looking forward to your post.
Cee Neuner
Very cool photos for this week’s theme. 😀
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Cee.
PR
Oh these are great, Egidio! I couldn’t have guessed what most of them were without your descriptions 🙂..
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the comment, PR. I’m glad you liked them.
restlessjo
Glass and bubbles! Awesome!
Egidio Leitao
I’m very glad you liked those. Thanks.
janet
Those last two abstracts were particularly lovely, Egidio, but I enjoyed all your choices. I’ve found that working with onions doesn’t make me cry because I wear contacts most of the time. They keep the fumes off my eyes so my eyes don’t water. 😁
Egidio Leitao
Janet, that is also true for me regarding onions. With or without my contacts, cutting onions doesn’t affect me. Thanks for your feedback.
Teresa
There’s nothing mundane about your photos. All so pretty 👍
Egidio Leitao
Teresa, thank you for this remark. I appreciate it.
Leya
Wow, Egidio! Excellent take on and I was surprised at every shot. The last two are my favourites, but they all are eyeopeners.
Egidio Leitao
Ann-Christine, thank you for this remark.
Rebecca Cuningham
Wonderful angles approaching common objects, Egídio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much for the feedback, Rebecca.
Lindy Le Coq
These are all stunning shots, Egídio. I especially like the glass and beverage combination, and you had me fooled on the fire-hydrant!
Egidio Leitao
Lindy, your kind words are heart-warming. Many thanks.