Life in a Dark Cupboard

by | May 24, 2013 | Photography | 178 comments

We Live Alone in a Dark Cupboard…

In the beginning.

This is a story of photography meets metal and glass and  at the risk of sounding  ungrateful, while I love photography and have done so for many years, more than I care to recall, I don’t really have a competitive nature, the competitions are fun and the trophy’s  are sometimes  a pleasant side effect.

However aside from the material belongings required to make the pictures the trophy’s often mean far less to the extent that after they are handed out and the quick 30 second self indulgent ego trip, they are condemned to a year in the dark until I figure that I should make a record of them before I give them back, as the achievement does mean something because I created something visually interesting that was thought provoking enough to get someones attention, maybe because this is a memory of what once was rather than a possession.

The flowing images, including the one heading this post, span two seasons of competition and are as follows, and of course done in the dark with glowie things and indeed something that was fun to do, which is what it is all about for me..

All the images in this post are shot in the dark with long exposures from 15-30 seconds, actually for me that is quite a short exposure, but that is another story.

Monolith: 2010/2011 Advanced Image League/Advanced Slide (Above)

Monolith Reflections

I have this rather cool black glass coffee table which gives a nice reflection, that I was given because it was being thrown out because it has a broken foot, but that does not matter to me.
This is a solid glass block with an embossed inscription, shot in total darkness and backlit with a red LED glow stick and a LED work light to provide the wavy lines.

Firefly: 2011/2012 Advanced Slide

Firefly

This one is a silver plate, the same one that is in the post header image with the lighting a little evolved, well it is another year and therefore twelve months more playtime between the two, again shot in total darkness and the same broken footed table, side lit with a halogen torch to bring out the detail in the engraving, with the addition of a set of cheap multi colour LED fairy lights to add a bit more Me-ness to the image.

Chayotica: 2011/2012 Advanced Annual Print.

Chaotica

It is always interesting when something is being judged by a single person and therefore a single opinion on what is being seen so you never really know how that will work out, anyone familiar with this kind of judging will know that you can score high or low with the same image depending on who is providing the score, a  kind of chaos, so I wanted to project that in the image.
This is a really beautifully crafted blown glass trophy, a work of art in its own right, but rather delicate to the point of being scary, I wouldn’t want to have it anywhere it may get broken as it has apparently stood the test of time as the prize for the annual print award since the 1970’s, who would want that on their conscience.

So anyway, glass reflects everything in a big way and often not in a good way, yes there are tried and tested methods to deal with this, black flags and soft indirect light, but lots of people do that and it doesn’t really feed my addiction to different light very well, direct light is pretty much out of the equation, so this one again is in total darkness with a halogen torch covered with a white pillow case to soften the glare and pointed away from the glass, so the light is just spilling into the trophy and to add some oddity a set of multi colour LED fairy lights waved, wiggled and giggled (technical terminology) in the background.

2012/2013 and beyond..

All this has made me think that maybe I should not do competitions as it seems a shame to hide these trophy’s away, but the competitions are fun and I enjoy the banter they can sometimes bring, they are just club/local level so nothing too grand or ground breaking in the bigger picture, so I have decided to make myself a promise that any future trophy’s that maybe unlucky enough to end up in my hands, I will try by best to at least have them out on display even if no one ever sees them, at least they wont be all sad and lonely stuck in a dark cupboard.

Congratulations if you have got this far, as always this was supposed to be a short post and as often is the case, it has turned into a bit of an animal, well there are probably some more interesting less self indulgent posts coming up, so if you have survived, please check back one day!

178 Comments

  1. WWW.XMC.PL
    WWW.XMC.PL on 19th November 2020 at 9:31 pm

    Starting a site kind of like this one forced me to do some research and I found your post to be quite helpful. My content is centered around the idea of knowledge, fun and sharing. I wish you first-rate luck with your site in the future and you can be sure I’ll be following it.

    Reply
  2. News XMC.pl
    News XMC.pl on 20th November 2020 at 7:08 am

    Hi, superior post. I have been pondering this topic, so thank you for sharing. I’ll likely be coming back to your posts. Keep up the good work http://www.xmc.pl

    Reply
  3. 9 eleven
    9 eleven on 3rd December 2020 at 2:36 am

    Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of info
    on your blog. Im really impressed by your site.
    Hello there, You’ve done a great job. I will definitely digg it and for my part suggest to my
    friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.

    Reply
  19. готовое видеонаблюдение
    готовое видеонаблюдение on 11th December 2020 at 9:55 am

    Great beat ! I wish to apprentice even as you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for
    a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
    I were tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vivid transparent idea

    Reply
  45. http://dar-ekel.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=newsgiant.info
    http://dar-ekel.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=newsgiant.info on 16th December 2020 at 3:55 pm

    I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts
    in this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this site.
    Studying this info So i am glad to show that I’ve an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I found out just what I
    needed. I most certainly will make certain to don?t put out of
    your mind this website and provides it a glance regularly.

    Reply
  77. Hydrasajtnope
    Hydrasajtnope on 26th December 2020 at 6:43 am

    гидра сайт онион тор представляет собой шоп, что рассчитан для продавцов серых товаров и сервисов. Такого типа продукцию низзя приобрести в простом магазине, так как это неправомерно.

    Reply
  86. Jose Sawyer
    Jose Sawyer on 28th December 2020 at 4:40 pm

    Thanks in support of sharing such a nice thinking,
    article is good, thats why i have read it fully

    Reply
  91. Tara Yund
    Tara Yund on 29th December 2020 at 11:07 am

    Ahaa, its good dialogue regarding this article at this place at this web site, I have read
    all that, so now me also commenting at this place.

    Reply
  94. Shanda Fernandes
    Shanda Fernandes on 30th December 2020 at 10:25 am

    Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue about this piece of writing here at this website, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.

    Reply
  95. Clarence Dominguez
    Clarence Dominguez on 31st December 2020 at 2:39 am

    Hey there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with
    us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and
    will be tweeting this to my followers! Terrific blog and superb design and style.

    Reply
  100. Nathalie Fry
    Nathalie Fry on 31st December 2020 at 7:24 pm

    Ahaa, its pleasant conversation concerning this paragraph here at this webpage, I have read all that, so
    now me also commenting at this place.

    Reply
  106. Evelyn Stumbo
    Evelyn Stumbo on 2nd January 2021 at 8:46 am

    I visited various blogs however the audio quality for audio songs existing
    at this site is actually fabulous.

    Reply
  108. Harold Howard
    Harold Howard on 2nd January 2021 at 9:57 pm

    I visited multiple web sites however the audio feature for audio songs present at this web page is truly fabulous.

    Reply
  113. Frederick Toner
    Frederick Toner on 4th January 2021 at 3:29 am

    It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it
    is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or tips.

    Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this
    article. I desire to read more things about it!

    Reply
  114. Webmasters Guide
    Webmasters Guide on 4th January 2021 at 4:03 am

    I wonder how you got so good. HaHa! This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. One thing I just want to say is that your design is so perfect! You certainly know how to get a girls attention! Im glad that youre here. I feel like Ive learned something new by being here.

    Reply
  118. Alice Keyes
    Alice Keyes on 4th January 2021 at 8:31 pm

    I like it when individuals come together and share thoughts.
    Great website, stick with it!

    Reply
  123. Viola White
    Viola White on 6th January 2021 at 12:26 am

    Greetings from California! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to
    check out your website on my iphone during lunch break.

    I love the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I
    get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, great site!

    Reply
  126. Denise Weber
    Denise Weber on 7th January 2021 at 12:53 am

    Thanks for helping me to get new thoughts about desktops. I also contain the belief that certain of the best ways to keep your notebook computer in best condition is by using a hard plastic case, or maybe shell, that will fit over the top of one’s computer. A lot of these protective gear will be model targeted since they are manufactured to fit perfectly within the natural covering. You can buy these directly from owner, or through third party places if they are for your laptop computer, however only a few laptop will have a cover on the market. Once more, thanks for your ideas.

    Reply
  134. Susan Burks
    Susan Burks on 9th January 2021 at 7:40 am

    Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site.

    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard
    to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal.
    I must say you have done a excellent job with this. Also, the
    blog loads very quick for me on Safari. Superb Blog!

    Reply
  137. Joseph Thompson
    Joseph Thompson on 9th January 2021 at 11:13 pm

    It is perfect time to make a few plans for the longer term and it is
    time to be happy. I have read this put up and if I may just
    I desire to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this
    article. I want to learn more issues approximately it!

    Reply
  141. John Free
    John Free on 10th January 2021 at 1:05 pm

    It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
    I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things
    or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read more things about it!

    Reply
  146. Susan Eames
    Susan Eames on 11th January 2021 at 9:52 am

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!!

    I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you book-marked to check out new things you

    Reply
  152. Reva Covello
    Reva Covello on 12th January 2021 at 2:34 am

    At this time I am ready to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming again to read further news.

    Reply
  154. Gloria Loberger
    Gloria Loberger on 12th January 2021 at 5:52 pm

    It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to
    be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I
    wish to suggest you few interesting things or advice.
    Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.

    I want to read more things about it!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *