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Everyday Geometry
The June assignment in my still-life photo project for this year was focused on “Everyday Geometry”. Geometry is all around us in everyday objects and sometimes it creates eye-catching patterns and shapes. The truth is that we usually walk past such mathematical elegance without thinking about it or even without realising it is there. I would even say that geometric shapes and patterns have a meditative quality. They welcome simplicity and create visual harmony that brings peace to our overloaded brains. There is something calming about clean lines and balanced proportions. They don’t demand attention in a loud way… I found out that black and white benefits the theme greatly…
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Windows and Reflections
The May assignment in my still-life photo project for this year was planned to show “Windows and Reflections”. Quite self-explanatory, isn’t it? So I gave it a try, and surprisingly, I found myself drawn to B&W images as the final result. They may feel melancholic without those bright colours but the lack of vividness offered space for one’s own imagination and reflection. We live in a world full of colours and even though that is undeniably wonderful, the colours can be distracting and even overwhelming. I must confess it is sometimes a relief to strip off the unnecessary baggage and get to the core. Would you agree?
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Tools of the Trade
The April assignment in my still-life photo project for this year expected me to shoot “Tools of the Trade”. The idea was to use tools related to a hobby or craft and portray them in a still life arrangement. My immediate inspiration became my bullet journalling supplies — those colourful washi tapes, decorative pictures and vibrant brushes that make planning feel like an art form. But as I was looking at them arranged on my desk, they didn’t feel quite as impressive and storytelling as I expected — they didn’t capture the essence of what “tools of the trade” meant to me. So I decided to switch gears and asked my husband…
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Kitchen stories
The March assignment in my still-life photo project for this year asked me to capture “Kitchen stories”. As each kitchen hides and reveals countless objects and activities, I initially thought it would be an easy theme. But as I discovered, when you dig into the details, this is too worn, that is too reflective, this does not look as interesting as expected and those elements simply don’t complement each other… Among my ideas was a composition with frozen strawberries placed in an old metal bowl alongside frozen blueberries and a beautiful dish towel. I loved the result — until I noticed the blueberries had smudged the plate they were sitting on, the…
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Průhonice castle and park
The day before yesterday we moved the hands on our clocks one hour forward to enjoy longer evenings with more light, and it’s that time of the year when I begin to anticipate seeing colours returning to nature. In freshly growing grass, new lush leaves, delicate flowers, bushes in blossom, and in the bright sunny sky… But it’s always wise not to expect too much too soon. Until mid-May, we can still experience frosty days. Last year spring began warmly, but then the frost arrived mercilessly, burning the buds, flowers, and leaves – much was lost. This year the forecast suggests that April will be a cold month, which I…
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Kokořín castle and surroundings
In January, my husband came up with an idea to make a trip to Kokořín castle. He found a nice circuit path, and when the forecast was promising nice weather one Saturday, we set off. We parked in a small lot near the castle and began our hike through the forest. I can imagine that in summer the area is visited by quite a lot of tourists but at this time of the year we did not come across many people. Just a few pairs and families and one bigger group, which actually was not bad at all. Kokořín castle is situated in a protected landscape area with sandstone rocks…
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Krahbergzinken view
Austria – day 6 – tour to Krahbergzinken (2134 m). Directly from Schladming, you can take a cable car up to the Planai area, where you can either take quite an easy walk around, including visiting the peak Planai (1906 m), or you can choose a bit more challenging tour reaching the peak Krahbergzinken (2134 m). Notice the cheerful hare character watching you from the cable car windows? It refers to “Hopsiland” attractions for kids and I found myself smiling back at that funny-looking cute face whenever we encountered it in the Schladming area. Not far from the upper cable car station, three majestic peaks stand side by side, gracefully adorning the…
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Three-peak hike
Austria – day 5 – three-peak hike to Gasselhöhe (2001 m), Rippetegg (2126 m) and Schober (2133 m). From all the hiking and walking we did in the Schladming area, this hike to three peaks was and remains my absolute favourite. The combination of breathtaking vistas and just the right amount of physical challenge made the day truly special. Let me take you through the journey. After getting off the Reiteralm cable car, our first destination was the Gasselhöhe peak. You can reach it either by climbing a shorter but steeper track with rewarding backward views or by following a slightly longer though gentler path. When you finally reach the ridge, the…
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Shapes and shadows
The February assignment in my still-life photo project for this year focused on capturing “Shapes and Shadows”. When the sun shines, you can find countless interesting shadows outside. I was fortunate to discover one on our terrace, just in front of the doors. We have several pots decorating the terrace in winter, and in some of them stand rusty metal plates depicting trees, a mushroom and a hedgehog. I love watching the shadows they cast. While incorporating shadows into still life photography may sound simple, the opposite is true. You can take a photo with a shadow in it and it can be both nice and interesting but creating one that…
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Winter warmth
When planning my still-life photo project for this year, I chose “Winter warmth” as January theme. My goal was to capture the feeling of being warm and comfortable despite winter chill. I even unwrapped the light chain I bought several years ago to use it one day in my photographs! As I imagined warmth, my mind filled with a cup of good tea to enjoy, an absorbing book to read, soft glow of candle light to admire, and comfortable layers of warm clothing to wear, such as sweaters, scarves, hats, and gloves. A bunch of Muscari flowers helped to add a pleasant touch of winter’s quiet beauty to my composition.…
