focus on life–week 8–monochromatic

Here we are two months down in this year of photos already! When Sally’s email came last Saturday daring us to shoot some photos with the monochromatic setting I was ready for the challenge.  Sally writes:

“Monochromatic photos tell a story, evoke emotion and uncovers the soul with the simple contrast of one color. Monochromatic photos enable the viewer to see a deeper meaning behind what may be concealed by multiple colors”

Then, quite out of character, our cat Franklin was sitting in the sun in the kitchen.  This cat is pretty odd, in that he actually avoids lying in the sun most times.  Really? Every cat I’ve ever known has always been able to fill that little shaft of sunlight.  Of course I hadn’t actually looked up the setting yet so I got to shooting in colour, figuring he would not stay put too long – but then Averleigh decided she wanted to join him.



Sprawled across the floor she stole the spotlight and the sun! He looks a lot more aggravated in this picture than he really was [looking at it now as I post, I should have left his eyes green].  I changed this to black and white but I was disappointed in how dark her face is.  A few weak attempts and processing to correct that had me blowing out her foot completely and it just looked stranger.  I decided this was the lesson.  Shooting in black and white to start would be better if that’s where I wanted to end up.

The week went by and a few subjects caught my eye, but time-camera-object never met.  Then today I see two of Averleigh’s little kitties sitting on the table in the sun and I thought, hey that would be a neat contrast.  I pull out the camera to find the setting and while I’m fiddling I hear a little “plonk”.  I look up to see little plastic Playmobil kitty on the floor and Franklin on the table.



Busted! Looks like someone wanted the spotlight back after all.  Oh yes a green eyed kitty after hearing everyone’s sweet comments about rival house kitty Roxy two weeks ago.  He certainly decided that plastic kitties weren’t going to upstage him too.



He proceeds to perform.  Rubbing his head all over the chair backs and being playful.  Oh sure, I just figure out the monochromatic and now I have to find a faster setting so you aren’t just a grey blur… No way he would make it easy right? So I get to the faster setting, get it adjusted and then he won’t move at all!  Such.a.cat.



I tried to get him to play with the kitties.  I know he does when no one is looking since the black plastic one is currently missing.  But no, he just posed, made sure I got his best side.



The one above is my favourite, love how his whiskers look so fancy.  The one below is kind of odd, and has lots of room for improvement technically, but I like it.

 

Dear Franklin: There are now nine photos of you versus one of Roxy.  You win.  Kindly do not puke across toys and the carpet this week.

A fun change of pace to work and think in black and white.  I’m so happy to have the excuse to stop and think and learn about these things on this timeline.  Yay for Sally!! Now off to see the Studio Sublime to check out all the links.