Friday, November 4, 2011

shooting shadow silhouettes

fern silhouette
Taking a walk in the woods is a surefire way to synthesize ideas and sort out new projects in my head. The air is clear and the birds are good company. Inevitably, I come home with a few bits of tangible inspiration- leaves, branches, sprigs of this and that. I find botanical patterns fascinating. To reduce the shapes into simple silhouettes, I use the sun when it's high overhead. I photograph the shadows so that I can incorporate them into stencils, stamps, illustrations and embroidery later on. It's really quite simple. If you're looking for interesting patterns and shapes for your own designs give it a try.
russian sage

last green leaf
leaf silhouette
rosehips
The only tools you'll need are your camera and the sun. This will work most times of the year, but fall stalks and weeds are especially stark and lend themselves to shadows beautifully.
lace
Bet,you can find some interesting materials out your back door, too. Try a neighborhood park to expand your repertoire. This is quiet, meditative work that doesn't take very long, but will slip you into an instant peaceful state. If your children are about, they'll enjoy it too... they are expert foragers, as you know. Have a wonderful weekend, friends! Pin It

9 comments:

  1. The shadows are wonderful. I especially like the weeds in the last picture. It would be a great stamp.

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  2. What a great idea!! I think I feel another project coming on!!

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  3. What a great idea, Maya! It's just the impetus I needed to go for a walk this afternoon. Thanks!

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  4. We don't see the sun very often from about October to June...the only downside to living on the "wet coast"! But it's out today so I'm going to grab my camera!
    Have a great weekend!
    xoxo
    ~ joey ~

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  5. We do something similar now and then: tracing the shadow shapes of plants etc. directly on paper. As you say, it's simple, effective, and wonderfully meditative.

    And the variety is just endless, isn't it..

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  6. We do something similar now and then: tracing the shadow shapes of plants etc. directly on paper. As you say, it's simple, effective, and wonderfully meditative.

    And the variety is just endless, isn't it..

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  7. I like that you add in that it's possible to do this with children around...as I read I was thinking, I am never by myself when the sun is out, never!! We've traced shadows of objects before too, and I think my daughter (my constant daytime sidekick) will enjoy this shape shadow activity as well. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. these silhouettes are lovely and soft. i like this kind of thing too :) thanks for sharing your meditative wanderings with us.

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  9. As always -- brilliant, thoughtful, joyful.

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