Anatomy of a Dandelion

During my walk this morning, I saw a lot of dandelions along the
road.  It was a beautiful day, and I decided to go get my camera.

I also grabbed a black sketchbook, and tried to hold it behind
the subject to give it some drama! So picture me sitting on the
ground, camera in my right hand, left hand reaching out with
the book in hand behind the thistle, trying to make sure and not block
the sun...awkward

Same photo, just cropped...better

So, then on the computer...playing with some effects.  This is black and white,
with a lot of contrast.

Of course, while shooting, I had some help.  Dewey had to get
under my leg, and snuggle up, shedding his black fur all over
me...lovely.  Thanks, Dewey.

Final image...I would print this one.  That's the beauty of
digital photography.  The computer can enable you to make works
of art from the simplest subject.  You can edit, play, do and undo,
flip, re-color, crop, sharpen, and saturate.

I hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy this beautiful world
of ours this weekend.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Journey to China" Art Show

I have been printing some of my China photographs to include
in the Chinese art show at the gallery.  These are some of my
favorites. 

The red door was in Beijing at the Empress' garden complex.  I like
the design of the window screens, and the complimentary color scheme
of red and green.  I framed this today.

The dragon boat was one that I took a photo of from

the shore as it came in.  I loved the lone man sitting in the

front.  Makes a nice composition.  I used a couple of filters

on it, and I will frame this one also.

 

The dancer in yellow is a cropped portion of a larger

photo of the whole stage.  This is the show we saw in Xian,

and where I took the pic that I drew of the dancer in the

green satin dress.  This would have been a super hard drawing,

so it makes a better photo!

 

The goldfish were in a tank at the pearl factory.  It was

neat to be eye to eye with them.

 

The old men playing majong were in the park on the way to

the Temple of Heaven.  They were so intense, and didn't

even know I was there.  I printed it in black and white for a

timeless look.

 

The tea ceremony took place without me.  I took this before it

started, and then I left!  It was our last chance to shop before we

left, and I took it!  So, this is all I know about the tea ceremony...

it looks great in the light of the room.

 

And the Great Wall.  I took two cameras that day; one with my

regular zoom lens, and the other with my wide angle lens.

This was taken with the wide lens.  It just gives a more dramatic

view, and I was practically lying down to get the shot.  That is

a shadow of my head in the left hand corner!

 

These bring back special memories for me of the trip,

and I hope you enjoy the stories behind them. 

 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

 

Journey to China

Works by Gail H. Shelton

Opening: November 14th   5-9

Pea Patch Gallery   Winnfield, LA