Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Varina Patel, an amazing and mesmerizing photographer

Varina Patel is an amazing and mesmerizing wilderness and landscape photographer. She's in my photography circle on G+ and shares a great photography tip with us


I received a message from Varina on G+ with a description of how she photographed one of her images. I'm sharing the message with you as you'll find the photography tip as informative as I do. This is definitely something I'm going to try. 


Below is a copy of her message. You'll find her image with the original message on G+ at Varina Patel. Once on her G+ scroll down a bit to find #PhotographyTips and her image and message.  

Varina's message:

"#PhotographyTips 
So, here's something a little bit out of the ordinary from my collection. I took this shot on a beach in Florida a few years ago. It's nothing more than a bit of a branch that I found in the sand, but I loved it's smooth form and the cracked patterns that covered it. I wanted a clean and simple portrait.

I took the stick and pushed one end into a little hole in a log nearby and set up my camera so that I could shoot the sticks straight on. I used a 180mm macro lens to get nice and close, so I could bring attention to the interesting cracks and details. And I chose a shutter speed carefully - making sure that the background was completely blown out and that the stick was exposed correctly. I wanted it to look as though I had placed the stick in front of a white background... but of course, I didn't have one out there on the beach... so I just set the stick in front of the bright sky. It's a really simple technique, and the finished image looks as though it was photographed in studio.

Obviously, this look won't work for every photo - but in this case, I like it. :) The stick seems to be reaching for something just out of the frame. I wonder what it is reaching for!"



Be sure and follow the above link to her on G+. Take a look at her wonderful image and leave comments. 


When you leave your comments on G+ please let her know you found her through #PhotographyTips Blog. You'll love her photography so take a look around while you're there. You'll find lots of inspiration in her work.


Do you have a blown out or the opposite, a silhouette photo to share? If so, be sure and leave it in your comments box so we can all share and enjoy. Or post it on your blog and leave a link.


I don't have a blown out photo to share so I've shared one of my silhouette photos, textured and layered. 




A client's engagement  photo - they were thrilled with the results. 




If you're on G+ and would like to connect let me know. If you'd like suggestions of other photographers on G+ I'll be happy to provide some. Leave me a comment.


As always, happy clicking.








22 comments:

Mary said...

Wow Mari, this is an intriguing photo with great detail to color and design.  Thanks for sharing this tid-bit :)

LensTripping said...

I worship Varina and Jay's photography.  They don't know me from a rock,
but I follow her blog religiously and also follow her on G+.  When I
grow up I want to be able to photograph only 1/2 as beautifully as she
does.  =)  Thanks for sharing her with the rest of the world.






And I adore the picture of yours in this post Mari.  It's beautiful!

Jewell =)  xo

Varina Patel said...

Thanks so much for sharing my work and for your incredibly kind words, Mari! I appreciate it so much! And thanks to Jewell for her very kind words too!

Andy said...

Hello.
Just stopped by Varina's site. Her photography is awesome!
I love this one of yours too.
Great job!
Thanks for sharing.

Raining Flowers Upon You

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Her work is just incredible! I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Glad to be able to share her work here - it's an honor!

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

It's an honor to share your work on my Blog! Thank you :)

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Thank you for your kind words. 

Savy1920 said...

Mesmerizing indeed are her pictures...

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Glad you enjoyed them!

kriti said...

Wow - that is really great! I guess one has to be just the right height etc to create the heart - or is it just the photography! Its amazing either way.

SyedAlfandiSyedMansor said...

I'm familiar with Varina Patel's work, and her other half, Jay Patel..They have excellent ebooks on landscape photography that I've had the chance to read. Wow Mari..that is a really beautiful photo there..

Fher Ymas Visual Artist said...

The best silhouette that I've seen so far....great advise too. 

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Editing software helps :)

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Thank you Syed. I love Varina and Jay's work. They have a new free ebook coming out about Iceland - from the cover the photography will be thrilling!

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Thank you - photo editing software helps :)

poochpurplereign said...

gorgeous !!
~laura

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Glad you enjoyed the post!

Tat said...

That photo is so romantic!

wan maznah cooking varieties said...

hi mari, this is just soooooo beautiful, mesmerizing as you said.. have a wonderful day

Melissa Tandoc said...

I would love to know more about your friend's photography tips Mari. I should visit your page in G+ more often I guess.

I love her style :)

Sarah-Jane Klemis said...

I was doing this a couple of weeks ago - the effect is amazing when it works :)  Love that silhouette Mari - stunning :)