Saturday, December 12, 2009

photo assignment: portraits sans faces

This is the last of the photography workshops hostessed by Camilla and Carolyn.

The assignment for this week was to take some portraits of others sans faces, and some of oneself in the mirror and in front of the camera.

Not only is this a challenge on so many levels, my photog helper (the one with the opposable thumbs) was out of town. What's a girl to do? I hit the archives.

First up the mirror shots...these were taken while in Tacoma. I loved the background and the window light was awesome...it just poured into the room.

Uh-oh...who's that interloper?? :)

I like hand shots as I think they tell so much about a person without including their face.

Although his face is in this one...it is nicely blurred and I think his expression adds to the story.

And yes...his creation tasted as good as his expression anticipated!

Speaking of blurring...some of my favorite shots of people are to just blur them completely. So not really "sans faces"...you really don't see the detail, but if you know them, you know who they are.

I leave you with this shot as a place holder for a future shot of the real me. It pretty much sums me up...but I'd like to think of myself as a little more 3-D than this...and of course the color in my hair is a little wan here! LOL!!

These assignments have been a blast! And I have so enjoyed meeting everyone and seeing how we all approached the same assignment. More importantly, I am checking in on everyone's blogs during the week to see what interesting things they are up to and what's going on in their lives. New friends...always a good thing!

It sounds like Camilla and Carolyn might do a little more online hostessing next spring. Count me in!! Thank you C and C for taking this on!

Please check out the assignments posted by the other participants.

To read more about the inspiration behind these assignments check out Chris Orwig's book Visual Poetry.

19 comments:

Magnolia Handspun said...

I am smiling from ear to ear...what a postive and inspiring post...
-your hubbs is so funny...love how he peeks thru now and then. Very nice tomato and kneading shots...hands at work I also like the bokeh of you very unique.
And what a perfect ending with the smiling cup of goodness. Thank you so much for joining in..it has been so much fun to get to know you a little more and view your creative images.

Patricia said...

Beautiful red tomatoes and rose picture with you in the background!
When C & C organize something next spring, I'm in!

Happy Weekend :)

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

These are fabulous! I LOVE the one toward the bottom with just the rose in the corner in focus. Perfection!!!

Whitney said...

That's funny how we both took a pic of hands and tomatoes! I like your work here and I love blurred pictures! I'm sort of sad that this was the end, but looking forward to the spring. It's interesting how all you ladies found eachother and so many of you have the same interests! You have such an inspiring blog.

anmarie said...

I love the last, blurred photo of the woman. It's like a watercolor painting to my mind. Wonderful! Fun pictures!

Anonymous said...

My father made his living in photography and painting,but though he won awards with portraits he photographed, he never painted people's images until he was taken by the weathered faces of the flower vendors on our Boulevard, then discovered he could bring his portraits to life on canvas, as well!
Thanks for sharing through your eyes!

L-B said...

LOL! I hit anonymous by mistake and I am anything but that!

sarah said...

When I come here I smile. It shows through your photos that you love life. The bread.. I have my nose up to the screen - yum o yum. I think your blurry shots are a smart thing. I have some shots like these and they are my favorite. I love the one where the rose is in focus.

and the photo of you.. you are warm and sweet!
(smiling)
Have a good evening.

kyndale said...

so cool, all of them. I can tell you had fun with this one. I especially like the first shot. Very creative! Big lens!!

Donna said...

Love your shots! Who doesn't like a cappuccino that smiles back at you! I joined this group late. It was so much fun.

Susan said...

Tomatoes, home made bread, roses and cappuccino...all the staples. So nice to see more and more of your world!

Hullabaloo Homestead said...

Ahhh, blurred images are something I have just recently begun to question. Especially with the kiddos. It can be such fun to "see" the feeling through a blur. Wonderful shots. Delicious looking bread. And very nice to have met you through this assignment.

:)Lisa

Anonymous said...

I have a few blurry favorites of my own.

I love these photos, you're hubby is cracking me up.

I have a major thing about hands photos too. Don't know why. This has been a fantastic project, I'm so happy to have met you.

P.S. I like your smile!!!

Bobbie Casey said...

Your hand photo's are so beautiful. What more can I say? Well, I guess you ate those tomatoes? I want a piece of the bread. Yum.
I will really look forward to the next photo workshop to see what you do!

Anonymous said...

Aren't these great. I love the kneading and then the finished product, yum. And the smiley face in foam, just perfect for this season of chilly weather.

Annie

Jean said...

What a great camera! It enables you to express yourself so well. I have always loved your photos.

Connie in Hartwood said...

Your blog is such a comfortable place to visit, and I have SO enjoyed getting to know you through this workshop. Great job!

Connie

Carolyn Parker said...

Gail you are so good! I love hands too. As a matter of fact I think hands, in many ways, tell about the depth of beauty in a person. Especially in a difficult person, you can see their goodness, if you study their hands.
What can I say, everything here is extremely well-presented. The blurs are heavenly. Of course the rose shot (is that your mom?) is brilliant.
The sweet, smiley, (maybe perplexed) cup of coffee is an OK stand-in pour toi. I'm looking forward to the actual you, coming soon.

cupcakefaerie said...

Thank you for sharing, Gail. Your photos are so inspirational.