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Tips for Better Still Life Photographs


Still life fine art photographs can be some of the most challenging photographs to make. Sure, simply taking a photograph of a group of objects is simple, but making a still life interesting and compelling to look at takes effort.

A chair is a familiar object. One we all use every day, an object distinctly created for the human body. The chair is a physical reminder of human occupation of space, a proxy for humans not currently in the space.

A chair can have character. Character-based on its design, based on its location, based on its condition, and even based on its placement in regard to other objects around it.

A chair implies an extended commitment to a place. On a long hike you might choose a rock as a perch for a short rest but investing the time and effort in making a chair, with all of its pieces and complex joinery, is a commitment to spending time in a place, to have a meal, to talk with friends, to read the newspaper, to create a home.

Fine artist and photographer Edward Fielding has just release a new series of pop art pieces celebrating the great start of Texas. Bold, graphic and colorful artwork mixing the Texas State Flag and various elements captured around the state of Texas.

I did it again. I bought another vintage pinball machine to restore. Last summer's pandemic project was restoring a 1972 Gottlieb "World Series" pinball machine - https://www.dogfordstudios.com/pinball-restore-project-1972-gottlieb-world-series/

Recently I picked up 1961 Gottlieb "Egg Head". I was drawn to the artwork by Roy Parker who was responsible for all of Gottlieb's artwork from the 1930s to the early 1960s. I'm also interested in learning about the mechanics of these earlier machines.

For example, the ball has to be manually brought into play via a lever and five balls are used rather than a single ball multiple times. Gameplay on this machine will probably be lacking compared to more modern machines but I see it as a work of low art - that is art that isn't created for decor or museums but rather for commercial purposes. The art is used to attract commerce rather than simply exist as home decor.

Working on these 50 to 60-year-old machines takes one back to an era before computer chips and circuit boards. Everything about them is mechanical. They use electric magnets, solenoids and relays to keep score and keep track of bonus points. Keep in mind this is a time when we were sending the first men into space using similar technology.

I should start working on Egg Head later this summer, follow along with the progress!

Feeling pinned against Life's wall,
She chanced upon a robot tall
And said, "Please come and share with me
Whatever Fate has deemed to be.
I'm through with love, done with chances
Spirit crushed by past romances,
Just be a friend in word and deed.
That's all that I shall ever need."

"There's not too much from me to learn,"
Remarked the robot, in return.
"Emotions do not form a part
of my cold, solid-steel heart.
Whatever maker fashioned me
Did not permit my circuitry
Responsiveness to love or pain -
Your thoughts for me would be in vain."

Read more at: http://www.netpoets.com/poems/love/1504003.htm © netpoets.com

In Dr. Suess’s book, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, there is a pivotal scene where The Grinch, dressed up like Santa Claus with a sleigh full of empty sacks ready to be filled by looting Whoville, wonders about who will pull his sleigh.

Then he spies the little dog and hatches a plan to make the little play the part of a reindeer.

My Westie is like that Kid went off to school. Wife went off to work. I didn’t have any models left in the house, so Tiki the Westie had to fit in.

The retro vintage pop art collection features icons from the past presented in bold new ways. Perfect for game rooms, gamer's caves and kid's rooms. Exciting graphics, retro feel. https://edward-fielding.pixels.com/art/polka

Hot wieners are firmly planted in Rhode Island’s culinary psyche. They’re to the Ocean State what cheesesteak is to Philly, what barbecue is to Kansas City and what street tacos are to Los Angeles. Everyone has the wienie joint (their words, not ours) they grew up with, their gold standard against which all others are judged. There’s The Original New York System on Smith Street in Providence, Olneyville NY System, Sparky’s Coney Island System in East Providence (now closed), Wein-O-Rama in Cranston, Rod’s Grille in Warren, New York Lunch in Woonsocket, Sam’s New York System in North Providence, Snoopy’s Diner in North Kingstown and plenty more scattered throughout.

http://edward-fielding.pixels.com/featured/new-york-system-hot-weiners-neon-edward-fielding.html

Fine Art America and Pixels use a print and frame shop in North Carolina that has been serving the artist community for over 50 years and ever time I place an order for my work for a show or home display, the results are outstanding.

The museum-quality frame and matted pieces are well packaged. It actually takes a lot of effort to open the boxes! They even include hanging wire and hardware for mounting on the wall.

This piece, Daddy Pops Tumble Inn Diner Watercolor will be available for purchase here as well as the local AVA Gallery in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

When the pandemic hit and canceled a trip to Switzerland, fine art photographer Edward Fielding decided to stay close to home in Grantham, NH and tackle a project – restoring a 1970s era electromechanical pinball machine.

He started by moving out the cars and converting his garage into a suitable work area and then located a suitable vintage pinball machine to restore.

Previously Fielding had brought a 1976 Bally Hang Glider pinball machine back from the dead. That machine was found stored under a barn in the Keene area.

Following a lead to the Ossipee, NH area, his new find had more potential to be restored into a showpiece. A 1972 Gottlieb World Series pinball machine that was mostly working but filthy, had mismatched rubbers, weak flippers, dead pop bumpers and burnt out bulbs...