Start to Finish

While my recent travel pics are in the queue to be downloaded/sorted/posted, I figured I would take the time to update my blog with my recent discovery of lighting and photography. Read along; It will make more sense.

It finally dawned on me that lighting in photography is everything! It can make a bad object look fabulous and vice versa. How can such a simple attribute make such a big difference. So far, I've been going around shooting pictures without lighting equipment and flash.  Well, that is all going to change soon as I have become a convert. 

This blog depicts the process of creating a teapot using clay as the medium. The first process is throwing the various forms in the potters wheel, followed by attaching them. The pictures were taken with an ordinary point and shoot camera without any flash. Once they are dry, they are bisque fired and following that, glazes are applied before the final firing. The pictures here were taken using a DSLR and a professional lens. Notice, the difference in the object based on the lighting. The series of photos shows the process from start to finish - both the work and the lighting used to photograph the object.

The art and craft of clay

Two words. Writers block.

There is so much to be said about this form of art, yet, I am left with little to no words to share. Where do I start? Baffled is more like it.


They say that pictures are worth a thousand words. I couldn't agree more especially when it is a three dimensional piece. On a recent field trip to the various ceramic museums in St Bernadino and Pomona galleries, I had the privilege to see some amazing ceramic work. Artist from all over the nation displayed their creativity and message. Some were subtle while others were bold. Sculptures to traditional forms. One thing remained in common -- the passion for the art and craft of clay.  How inspiring it was.I walked out feeling like there was so much to learn and do. I was ready to get back on the wheel that very same evening to produce my next clay project. Now that is inspiration.

Special thanks to John O. Lewis and Ed Bia from the South Western College of Ceramic Art for making this trip possible.

The last frontier -- again

I make my bi-yearly homage to the last frontier state and each time, I take plethora of pictures. The scenery seems the same but no two pictures are alike, especially, when I compare them from year to year. The general picture remains the same but the details are different. The trees are a little taller (or missing in some cases), the snow capped mountains are far and few between, the newly paved roads are smoother to drive in, etc. But there is one thing that distinctly remains the same -- the slow pace of life. Perhaps it is the spring waters of the Alaskan Mountain Range or the fresh, unadulterated air that we breath, I inevitably come back feeling very "slowed" down. Its a feeling that cant be described in words but its a good feeling. Its a state that just consumes you from within -- that is, if you are willing to allow it consume you. I can see why Alaskan endure the harsh winter -- perhaps, it is the small price to pay for a peaceful life. There is a lot to be said to living such a life. Ask Buddha.