natural drops and props

be still week 2-7

you can hunt for props and backdrops in thrift- and giftshops or search for them at home, but nature sometimes provides unique and amazing arrangements that need no further styling or embellishments. 

here are two natural still life shots with a mossy tree trunk and a tangle of flotsam. in the first one the moss serves as table top and the flotsam as backdrop, in the second one it is the other way around. 

here the prop (transparent blue bottle) is almost swallowed by the surrounding moss and flotsam, and embraced (protected?) by two curvy, gnarly waterlily stalks

in this shot the props (trash) seem to serve as a diagonal demarcation line between the moving water and the pile of rotting branches.

accidental still life with plate and cup

be still 52 week 2-7

on my daily rounds with the dogs i sometimes happen upon a so called 'accidental' still life: objects, carelessly discarded, that have unintentionally been arranged in an interesting way.  i then try to 'frame' them as if they were purposefully arranged and styled.

this plate has been given 'room to breathe'; including the surrounding vertical and diagonal lines of the dried reeds makes the arrangement more dynamic.

for this dirty, crumpled plastic cup i moved in closer, to emphasise the contrast between the mud-colored plastic and the fresh green leaves and grass surrounding it.