I wanted to shoot some photos of roses. I thought I would try a few things until my new studio equipment arrives (Buying items from the Chinese version of eBay is easy, except the payment portion of the transaction.)
There is a little stand right outside my building. The woman sells fresh flowers, goldfish, and ready-to-eat pineapple. Alas, when I arrived yesterday she was having an altercation with security guards and the police. No roses for me, or anyone else. Long-stem roses are cheap in China, about $0.45 US each. Yunnan Province grows a lot of roses, and supplies most of Asia with fresh flowers.
I searched the market next door to find a replacement for the wayward roses. Bamboo, I wondered? Why not. It’s tasty, when cooked with hot peppers and pork.
This was shot against a white wall with a low shutter speed, window light to the left, off-camera flash to the front. ISO 100, 1/3 sec, f/9. Should my stands, umbrellas and flash ever arrive I’ll delve into the world of food photography because: a) food is very cheap; b) I can eat the subjects when the shoot is over. The same can not be said for portraits.
I found a great site for cheap frugal photographers like myself. DIY Photography has a great list of projects you can do at home using materials from art or hardware stores. I am considering building this DIY backdrop stand instead of buying one.
Love the way you kept the color. Many of my photos wash out, and then I have to delete them.
It looks a lot like celery tops.
Shawn´s last blog post..That’s Not Ice Water
Beautiful! I tried to photograph some of my vinyl toys, but I wasn’t thrilled with the results. However, I hear that the magic number is 338, so I figure I’ll give it another shot this weekend.
Carrie´s last blog post..Photo Essay: Portraits of Slum-Dwellers around the World
Shawn: I thought the bamboo was celery the first time I saw it in the store. Mrs. Stevo set me right.
Carrie: There’s a great tutorial in DIY Photography on making a “Ghetto” studio. Take a look. I discovered the method on my own, it will help you achieve better results with your still-lifes.
Stevo´s last blog post..10 Must Sees in Shenzhen China
This is bamboo? We would have thought it coriander leaves here! Are you sure Mrs. Stevo wasn’t pulling your leg?
Oh, and your wife is returning in 2 months? My, my, how time flies!
Average Jane´s last blog post..The embattled soldier
AJ: Yes, tis bamboo. Do you cook? I really would like to learn to cook some Indian food. Time flies, even when you’re not having fun.
Stevo´s last blog post..10 Must Sees in Shenzhen China
Sure I cook and clean and wash the floor three times a day. Me very traditional eastern woman 🙂 But seriously, I could send you recipies if you wanted or links of very nice Indian food blogs.
Average Jane´s last blog post..The embattled soldier
Jane: I am not a traditional western man – I seem to do the cooking and laundry. I often wish I lived on the classic “Leave it to Beaver.” (:) joking.
Some blogs / recipes would be cool. The only problem is spices. China is somewhat limited in that respect.
Stevo´s last blog post..10 Must Sees in Shenzhen China