Patterns

Ladle Abstract

*Ladle Abstract*
Fuji XT3

In the Shintoist shrines in Kyoto (and, I’m assuming, elsewhere in Japan) there often are these beautiful little basins with wooden ladles in front of them that worshippers use to clean their hands. When I walked into this temple near Gion after nightfall I was struck by the contrast between the clear wood of the ladles and the dark surroundings. I shot from above, not really seeing what I was framing. It turned out to be more interesting than I thought, in a quasi abstract way.

Swirling

Swirling
Fuji x100s, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/60s, ISO 800

The first time I saw such massive incense spirals burning was at Man Mo temple in Hong Kong. I was happy so see some again in Saigon, they’re such graphic objects. The light was much better in Saigon too although it makes them a tad less dramatic I guess.

A Thousand Buddhas

A Thousand Buddhas
Canon 7D, 96mm, f/4, 1/6400s, ISO 1600

 Now that I’m more or less settled in Shanghai I can start sharing photos again. Many, though not all, will be from Asia, as you can imagine. This is from a wonderful ‘antiques’ market in Dong Tai Lu, Shanghai.

Rippling Branches

Rippling Branches
Fuji x100s, 35mm, f/8, 1/60s, ISO 800

 I don’t usually do these kinds of abstracts, but there was something fascinating about the way the reflected branches of this ancient tree reflected in the pond as my son threw pebbles in the water.

Pinecone in Darkness

Pinecone in Darkness
Canon 7D, f/13, 1s, ISO 200

 Still life is as much an exercice in technique as it can be an artistic endeavour. I’ve long been fasinated by Edward Weston’s Pepper No. 30 and without any illusion of getting anywhere near his mastery of light, I’ve been experimenting with similar in the studio still life concepts. I did a fair amount of work on pinecones, and this one is one of the most interesting results, I think.