art – Deanne Dements Photography

I have totally enjoyed working with the trolls, they have allowed me to expand my creativeness. They have pushed me to execute some of my ideas that I had been trying to figure out for a couple of years. Many of those ideas came from the 52-week Challenge by Nicole Smith, Nicolsey Photography. I loved trying to come up with new ideas for the challenge, and the supportive conversations I would have with the other members of that group. The ideas were constantly flowing even if I could not totally figure out how to do it. I had quite the photo set up on my back deck but always knew that I wanted to move it back into my garage studio area. The back deck was too limiting even though it was convenient. I made the effort to use the photo studio area in the garage studio area this last year. Adjusting the height of the photo table, putting down flooring that is comfortable to stand on.

Another thing that has helped me with the photography has been the Current Class at the Bend Parks and Recreation. I have always had good balance but that really doesn’t stay unless you work at it constantly. The exercises in the pool are designed to improve and keep that balance and fitness intact. While photographing the gnomes and trolls I found myself constantly needing to step up on the little footstool to get the better shot or hanging snowflakes from the ceiling , stepping over it to adjust the scene, or moving it so I could bend down and pick up one of the Styrofoam snowballs off of the floor. All the while dancing on the floor to… Well Christmas music this time.
The thing is all of these things are easy to do simply because of the friends I have made over the years. From my little coffee group of online sellers, to the bigger group of people in the 52 week photo challenge, to the group of people in the pool who also like to go out to eat and hike. All of you have contributed to my health and enjoyment, in one way or another and I would like to Thank you for that….
So Thank You Friends….

My early spring flowers.
This shot was made last week for the 52 wk challenge Behind the scenes. The theory behind this challenge is to show what actually goes on during a photo shoot. Ideally you might include the photographer in the scene shooting the shot and then include the shot. But lately I have been just showing my inspiration for the shot. So while this was the shot I was going for

This was the shot that was posted on the challenge. It shows the main photograph which was the idea. The small inset photograph on the right, are the dandelions in my front yard flowerbeds the inset on the left is my garage photo studio and several of the containers I thought might look good with the dandelions.
Last year for this challenge I had a much harder time getting inspired. I had my photo area set up on my back deck which is protected in the winter.

My inspiration for the 2024 was simply what can trigger an inspired idea. I decided to photograph what had been set onto the photo table, where I kept my photo props and the lights I had purchased to make lighting the scenes easier. In the center photo you can see my feet propped up on a footstool to show that I was sitting in my favorite chair trying to come up with an idea for that years challenge.
My most favorite year was 2023 I had so many ideas

2023 was much chillier most of my flowering plants were way behind schedule. We were still dealing with COVID limitations, I think it was my most creative year and many of the other photographers in the challenge that year were inspiring me.
This shot I had pulled out my bracelets that I had worn for work before I retired. What better way to show them off than to put them on some of the natural rock features in my lower yard. I even used the rock that the bracelets are sitting on as the background for the collage. The shot with me in it was taken using my tripod and self timer while I held one of my other camera bodies…. Did I mention that I have worn out 3 cameras during the 4+ years of this challenge.

2023 was also the year I had given myself a secondary challenge, for each challenge I did one submission in Black and White and the others in my usual color. This was my B&W submission, again, on my back deck photo studio. The subject was an odd shaped vase some juniper sticks, and the few daffodils that had just started blooming, but my idea was to photograph the chair that had so many uses behind the scenes.
The day I shot the B&W collage I also shot the color photos and made them into a collage for the challenge too.

In this collage I used the same daffodils, juniper sticks, stems of dried Flax seed heads, various vases and some toile inside a diffusing light box. All of these were with natural light. I also used Pinx as my photo assistant. I put the different photos on a background that was a piece of sample glass I had photographed to use for collages.

I find I enjoy playing with this type of challenge and hope to continue to play with my camera my ideas and the ideas of my friends.
And the first shot? with the dandelions…. Well that wasn’t my favorite shot it was this shot. I needed one more flower, went out to pick another dandelion and came back with this tulip instead.

Tag: art

The benefits of supporting friends and creativity…

Behind the photograph scenes Challenge for 3 years