Author Archives: Mike

Swing Spout

Posted by Mike on

Oil Can Project – OCP08

I’m back to the oil cans. I had spied this can during one of my trips to The Eclectic Chic antique store but my hands were already full! Luckily, someone was paying attention and I found this one under the Xmas tree this year. Apparently I was a little better behaved this year… LOL

I have been playing with the lighting and tried for more side light in this picture. I wanted to add some shadowing which I believed would give the can more depth. I’m not sure I succeeded but it was fun (and frustrating) trying to figure it all out. I think I need a few more items for my “studio” (OK, corner of my office on a TV tray) in order to make the post processing a little easier. Takes my a little bit of time to mask out the backdrop.

  

Swing Spout
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/30s, 22mm, f/11, ISO 200

Thirst Rangers

Posted by Mike on

Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Every visit to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World involves a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA) Peoplemover. I’m going to say it is a must do ride, in reality it is a great ride to relax on when you need a little break. Mostly, I like to ride it for the views of the Magic Kingdom. I also like to attempt to capture as many images as possible of these unique views, but my success rate is disappointingly low. I do like this one…

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Thirst Rangers

Thirst Rangers
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/640s, 15mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

Dietz Lantern

Posted by Mike on

Monochrome

I tried photographing another of those wonderful gifts I received for Christmas. My shelves are full of items to capture, I am struggling with the figuring out the best way to present each item. I have a feeling I am over-thinking this too much. I should put the dang thing in front of the camera and click away… LOL

This is an old Dietz Lantern. There is a possibility it was manufactured in the Syracuse, NY factory (no promises, only wishful thinking). The entire Dietz lantern story is fascinating and I have only scratched the surface. I did find the following website where the factory in Syracuse has been converted to loft apartments (The Dietz Lofts). I have another lantern I received for Christmas, before I get that one photographed I’ll see what additional info I can find on the company…

  

MLCreations Photography: Monochrome &emdash; Dietz Lantern

Dietz Lantern
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/30s, 25mm, f/11, ISO 200

Barrel of Monkeys

Posted by Mike on

Game Pieces – GP11

Either I am a very slow starter or a very patient person… It was a little over two months ago I posted about my plan to re-start my Game Pieces project. I know a portion of the delay was my search for the next pieces I wanted to photograph. I started with a shopping list:

  • Paddle Ball
  • Sliding Tile Puzzle
  • Pick-Up Sticks
  • Barrel of Monkeys
  • Tiddlywinks
  • Marbles
  • Chinese Checkers
  • Checkers
  • Rubik’s Cube
  • Trouble
  • Yahtzee
  • Monopoly
  • Clue
  • Sorry
  • Rock ’em Sock’em Robots
  • Magic Eightball
  • Boggle
  • Stratego
  • Mousetrap
  • Space Shot Gravity Ball
  • Game of Life
  • Connect Four
  • Battleship
  • Operation

At first I was planning on picking up new games at the store, creating my photograph, and then giving the games to charity. I picked up a Yahtzee game and a Barrel of Monkeys before the Christmas season hit me and my efforts turned toward the Toys for Tots campaign.

Then I went to a consignment shop. Everything changed. My first find was a 1954 version of Monopoly. Next I picked up a 1949 version of Cootie. I was hooked. I know I will not be able to find older versions of everything on my list but the hunt is half the fun. Remember, it is the journey, not the destination…

I have not decided how best to display my treasured finds so I thought I would warm up with the Barrel of Monkeys. I’m still debating if a subtle approach would be better, i.e., maybe only a monkey or two, no barrel, etc. For now, I went with a full on assault for this version. Maybe there will be a different decision down the road…

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Barrel of Monkeys

Barrel of Monkeys
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/30s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 200