More from the Field of Light

This light installation at Yulara(near Uluru) contains around 50,000 light bulbs made by the artist Bruce Munro in his UK studio. The effect was magical.  It made for some interesting abstract photographs,too.

Macro photography - using depth of field

Last month, I spent a relaxing afternoon making and then photographing these woven items under guidance from Cherie, the Artist in Residence at Wintjiri Arts & Museum at Yulara, in Australia's Northern Territory. Even though the finished items were far from perfect, I found it refreshing to  try a new craft, and I always love doing macro photography (photography producing images of small items larger than life size).

Using a macro lens limited the camera's depth of field - which is why the objects in these photos above are not completely in focus. But, as an artist,  I quite like having these soft and sharp areas - the narrow focus creates a sense of scale and adds interest to the image by drawing the eye to a particular feature - in this case the red section of the bangle.

This photo was taken from further away allowing more of the composition to be in focus. The items in the foreground are mostly in focus but the far edge of the little basket and the raffia in the background is somewhat softer.

Baskets and Weaving - something new to inspire creativity

I had never done weaving before, but jumped at the chance to participate in a basket weaving workshop at Wintjiri Arts & Museum while on a recent holiday to Uluru. Trying a new activity is a great way to inspire creativity. 

This bangle and small basket (above) took me well over 2 hours to make. The hand painted traditional beads inside the basket were made by a local indigenous artist.

This gave me a new respect for handmade baskets - the time it takes to make them, and the ability of artisans to make them so uniformly. Since doing the workshop I've taken an interest in baskets and other woven objects.

Handmade decorative basket from Papua New Guinea - probably an antique or close to it. 

From a private collection in Perth, Western Australia

Handmade vintage basket from Papua New Guinea - brought to Australia in the 1980's. 

From a private collection in Perth, Western Australia