Well, here we go again, we are back in lockdown. We have been this way for a few weeks now. I am finding that when we go into lockdown I have a tendency to shut down. I live in my own little bubble in my part of the world.
I do keep an eye out on what else is happening, but I seem to get lost in my own quarter acre. It is strange. You would think that I would want to make contact with the rest of the world, but no. It is almost like I go into hibernation. I don’t hate it, but I know I still need to live in the world. So I am going to try and make more of an effort.
What have I been doing in this lockdown?
Well not going out to take photos that’s for sure. I am planning heaps though. However, not what you would expect.
It seems to me that while I’m in lockdown the perfect thing to do would be to get better at still life and maybe food photography. I am still convinced that I am not very good at it, but I think I can improve.
So that is the plan.
Planning the photos
I am wondering if part of my problem is that I don’t like the props I have for that kind of photography.
This got me thinking, maybe I could make some stuff. Initially, I thought I could just make some bowls and plates with modelling clay. However, it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. I mean not a total disaster.
Then I really got thinking, what if I played around with some clay?
Playing with clay
My friend Lene is a ceramic artist and so I reached out to her for some clay (which I got using safe Covid practices). You can check out her work here.
It is so good to be playing with clay again and I’ve been having a lot of fun with it. I have been making quite a few things. Getting things fired and then glazing. It is an amazing process.
If you are interested in seeing what I’ve been doing then you can look at my latest video, Being a creative. I filmed a lot of the processes.
Working with old pieces
Under my house, I have boxes and boxes full of ceramic pieces that I made for past exhibitions. Lene said I should consider glazing a few of those pieces as well. So I am doing that now. However, because they will be fired again it will shrink them a lot. I might just paint some of them. I also thought I could just use them as-is for photos. I will be doing some of that this week I think.
It is fun incorporating more than just photography. I still have a lot of work to do, but it is an interesting process for my photography. Instead of just going out and seeing what I see and taking photos now I can do something with more of a creative process behind it. I’m excited about it.
I thought this week I might finish with a few photos from a couple of exhibitions I’ve had in the past with the ceramic pieces. I’m not sure if I have shown there to you before.
Enjoy, stay safe and we will talk soon.
I want, therefore I need. Really? Isn’t it, I need, therefore I want, or….Where does want and need come from anyway, which comes first? If we take Bertrand Russell’s and all the rest of the 20th century philosophers and quantum scientists, cause and effect is just a myth, an old myth like royalty. It simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Like the stoneware, is it really all stoneware?
That is a heavy discussion Lou, I don’t know. I was thinking when my kids were little it was always not that they wanted something, they needed it, they had to have it. I thought it was a good reflection on our society these days.
I love your creativity!
Thank you Sara.
Enjoyed reading your blog! I admire how you utilized common resources for your exhibition, a true display of creativity.
Thank you, that is great to hear.
I love all the white in the photos, Leanne. We don’t have a lock down here, but masks are mandatory state-wide. Everyone is so tired of this nonsense! Stay safe.
I wish I thought it was nonsense, but I have to admit it is very scary. I am really worried about the children that can’t be vaccinated and getting them protected. The last thing we need is vulnerable kids to be dying from it. Though I don’t really mind lockdown. Every now and then I find it a bit frustrating because I go and look in stores for things, but for the most part I’m loving it. Thank you, the white is a bit different.
I feel like I am not very good at food photography. I guess it is one of those things you must practice and I loose interest before I really get started. Love all the clay works. What sort of clay are you using?
I have to admit the whole feeling like I’m not very good at it really puts me off. I just need to work through it I guess. Thank you, I’m enjoying the clay. It is stoneware.
I know its the same way here I get mad when I am trying to photograph food to look yummy and scrumptious and it looks like just food.
It is hard. I guess we just have to keep practicising.
I love the white things. Very interesting removing the color from everyday objects. Excellent concept.
Thank you Sherry, I did a lot of work around that.
Stay safe!
you too, thank you.