Altogether Different
10 more pages is the LJ scrapbook for those interested!
*ahem*
I'm not a photographer. emaniahilel discovered that when I stayed with her this summer. It's not that I don't LIKE pictures, it's that I doubt I'll ever be able to capture just the right feeling I want to convey. This is why it was somewhat soul-twisting for me when I got this picture in my head and I knew it had to be created through photography.
It became even MORE difficult since I feel that the picture in my head was sent to me straight from Paw-Paw and just in time for Christmas. So, I called Michelle (since I can't model for myself) and asked her if she'd mind modeling for a photo. She readily said yes once I told her that 1. No, you do not have to take your clothes off (EEEEWWW Michelle!!!!!), 2. You can wear whatever you want though I will provide the shirt, and 3. There's a little acting involved but not too too much.
It wasn't until all the crap with my gall bladder started that I had the opportunity (and good weather) to actually shoot it. By then, I had resolved that this would be my Christmas present to Maw-Maw.
The pictures were beautiful (to my amateur eyes) . . . I credit the subject more than the photographer for that. Michelle exceeded my expectations even though we only did four shots. She's not accustomed to being looked at for the sake of looking.
Then I set to merging them the way I wanted. Of course, in my mind, I thought black and white would be much more dramatic.
They aren't bad, but it wasn't quite what I wanted to convey . . .
I had never done anything even remotely close to photomanipulation before and my experience with Paintshop is . . . well, nonexistent at best. So, I went looking for tutorials, and learned how to merge two photos together.
Here is where it begins to look rather close to my original vision . . .
And finally . . . .
That doesn't mean that everyone ELSE was satisfied.
Matt said it reminded him of The Ring. Michelle was very much in agreement. My mother called it "creepy looking," and compared it to my mother's worst irrational fear: Medusa. My dad TOTALLY got it on the first glance - exactly what I was going for - as did my aunt Faye (Michelle's mother).
Considering the mixed response, I decided it would be best to unveil the thing to my grand-mother ahead of time so I could gauge her reaction. She seemed to be creeped out, but didn't want to hurt my feelings so she didn't outright SAY it was creepy to her, but I could tell that she wasn't enthused. I assured her that I had another present for her (which I didn't, but a little white lie never hurt), and that I would keep it for myself.
Which I am. And now I'm sharing it with you. So, whether you think it's creepy or you totally GET what I was trying to portray, I hope you find some value in it, even just a little. Michelle and I worked hard to get it just right - the right pose with the right lighting and the right spot in my back yard. ^_~
It is titled, Prayer Blind, and the beads of Michelle's bracelet are made from petals of flowers taken from Paw-Paw's casket. I have one as well, though I've never worn it. Considering this was done in honor of our grand-father, Michelle felt it was only right that she wear this symbol of his memory.
Yes, that is my shirt. In one of the pictures you can even see the clothes pins I stuck in the back of it to make it fit her right (Michelle's a lot thinner than I) XD.
Don't laugh too hard ;P.
- Kysra
*ahem*
I'm not a photographer. emaniahilel discovered that when I stayed with her this summer. It's not that I don't LIKE pictures, it's that I doubt I'll ever be able to capture just the right feeling I want to convey. This is why it was somewhat soul-twisting for me when I got this picture in my head and I knew it had to be created through photography.
It became even MORE difficult since I feel that the picture in my head was sent to me straight from Paw-Paw and just in time for Christmas. So, I called Michelle (since I can't model for myself) and asked her if she'd mind modeling for a photo. She readily said yes once I told her that 1. No, you do not have to take your clothes off (EEEEWWW Michelle!!!!!), 2. You can wear whatever you want though I will provide the shirt, and 3. There's a little acting involved but not too too much.
It wasn't until all the crap with my gall bladder started that I had the opportunity (and good weather) to actually shoot it. By then, I had resolved that this would be my Christmas present to Maw-Maw.
The pictures were beautiful (to my amateur eyes) . . . I credit the subject more than the photographer for that. Michelle exceeded my expectations even though we only did four shots. She's not accustomed to being looked at for the sake of looking.
Then I set to merging them the way I wanted. Of course, in my mind, I thought black and white would be much more dramatic.
They aren't bad, but it wasn't quite what I wanted to convey . . .
I had never done anything even remotely close to photomanipulation before and my experience with Paintshop is . . . well, nonexistent at best. So, I went looking for tutorials, and learned how to merge two photos together.
Here is where it begins to look rather close to my original vision . . .
And finally . . . .
That doesn't mean that everyone ELSE was satisfied.
Matt said it reminded him of The Ring. Michelle was very much in agreement. My mother called it "creepy looking," and compared it to my mother's worst irrational fear: Medusa. My dad TOTALLY got it on the first glance - exactly what I was going for - as did my aunt Faye (Michelle's mother).
Considering the mixed response, I decided it would be best to unveil the thing to my grand-mother ahead of time so I could gauge her reaction. She seemed to be creeped out, but didn't want to hurt my feelings so she didn't outright SAY it was creepy to her, but I could tell that she wasn't enthused. I assured her that I had another present for her (which I didn't, but a little white lie never hurt), and that I would keep it for myself.
Which I am. And now I'm sharing it with you. So, whether you think it's creepy or you totally GET what I was trying to portray, I hope you find some value in it, even just a little. Michelle and I worked hard to get it just right - the right pose with the right lighting and the right spot in my back yard. ^_~
It is titled, Prayer Blind, and the beads of Michelle's bracelet are made from petals of flowers taken from Paw-Paw's casket. I have one as well, though I've never worn it. Considering this was done in honor of our grand-father, Michelle felt it was only right that she wear this symbol of his memory.
Yes, that is my shirt. In one of the pictures you can even see the clothes pins I stuck in the back of it to make it fit her right (Michelle's a lot thinner than I) XD.
Don't laugh too hard ;P.
- Kysra