photography | Cristina Colli

Sep

Seasonal inspiration: September

photography / styling / 6 Comments / September 10, 2015

The seasons are a huge source of inspiration for me. I look at the way nature changes during the months, how the countryside goes from barren to lush, in a never-ending cycle of change and renewal…this observing, this noticing, is part of my idea of slow living, of taking the time to really see and appreciate what’s around me, with a sense of gratitude for the beauty of the natural world. And as a way to celebrate the seasons and their beauty, I thought I’d start a new monthly series of blog posts, with a still life image that represent what the current month means to me.

So, about September…

September is one of my favourite times of the year. The weather is often good enough to spend lots of time outdoor, and even though the days are getting shorter there’s still enough light to go for a walk with my husband after he finishes work. We often walk in the woods, a short drive from home, where it’s so easy to notice how the leaves are starting to turn: a bit of gold here, a touch of red there…we see many squirrels, scouting for nuts and checking if they’re ready to gather…but not yet, not yet…

September is the month of blackberry picking, and jam making, something that reminds me of my grandmother…I used to go blackberry picking with her when I was a child, and then help her wash the berries to make jam…even though as many blackberries ended up in my tummy as in the jam pot! Apples are in season too, and what better pairing that apple & blackberry pie…

Speaking of food, September is the time of making soup again, for although the days might be sunny and warm, the evenings and nights are cooler…and nothing beats the comfort of a warm soup, perhaps made with some of the mushrooms that are starting to appear too.

In terms of flowers, September is all about Japanese anemones, hydrangeas, dahlias, marigolds…beautiful virginia creeper, slowly turning red and magnificent…and dried poppy seed-heads, still lovely despite the lack of petals.

So here’s the still life I created inspired by September:

September_seasonal_8598

I’ll be uploading my monthly seasonal photograph on Instagram too, using the new hashtag #CCseasonal

If you like this idea and fancy giving it a go, you are welcome to create a still life image that represent what the month means for you, upload it on Instagram with the tag #CCseasonal, and blog about it if you do have a blog. So what does September mean for you? I’d love to know :)

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Aug

July’s favourite happy still

12 months of happy stills / photography / styling / 9 Comments / August 3, 2015

Happy August! Our weather this past month has been quite cool and temperamental, but all the gorgeous photographs in the #12monthsofhappystills July feed are so summery and joyful that they warmed me up from the inside out…

As always, it was very tough to choose just one favourite but this sunny image by @hannahargyle stole my heart:

image @ Hannah Argyle

The sunflowers in the straw bag casually propped on the back of the chair, all that white, and the patch of sunlight…they all speak of Summer holidays, a love of simplicity, and slow living at its best – beautiful capture Hannah, congratulations! Please get in touch so that I can send you a little something.

I also loved these four images very much:

12monthsofhappystills_july_favourites

TL – @zoepower
TR – @georgiestclair
BL – @candypop.uk
BR – @atelier_cocon_m

Stopping for a moment to play with flowers, so familiar and always a joy….the cute bug made out of paint and sweet peas, how can it not make you smile?…gathering lavender from the garden, such a soothing activity and scent…and those juicy berries so reminiscent of summer puddings and garden parties…thank you lovely ladies for taking the time to focus on beauty and sharing it with us all!

If you’re on Instagram and you’d like to join the 12 months of happy stills project, just upload a still life image (or more!) that represents a happy moment, or something that makes you happy, and tag #12monthsofhappystills and @c_colli (More details on the original blog post here). On 1st September I’ll share my favourite happy still for August. Have fun :)

If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, my account is @c_colli

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Thank you!

Jul

Making a painted backdrop

photography / styling / Tips / 16 Comments / July 29, 2015

A couple of months ago I read the book In Detail by Hans Blomquist. The book is full of wonderful still life images, and I particularly liked all the beautiful textured backdrops that Hans created by painting over pieces of canvas with wall paint.

In_Detail_book

His approach inspired me to create some textured backdrops for my floral vignettes, however since I do a lot of flat lays I decided to paint on a wooden surface rather than on fabric.

still life styling and photography © Cristina Colli

styling and floral photography © Cristina Colli

still life styling and photography © Cristina Colli

So off I went to the hardware store, and bought:

a sheet of plywood
a mini roller set (roller & tray with two sponge sleeves, in the decorating aisle)
a small decorating sponge
a selection of paint sample pots
an interior wood primer and undercoat

My lovely husband sawed the plywood sheet in half, so I ended up with two pieces roughly 24 by 36 inches (tip: remember to lightly sand the edges before painting, or you might end up with splinters in your fingers…like I did!)

I then primed the plywood with the interior primer & undercoat, to seal the wood and avoid resins to reappear on the surface and cause yellowish stains. The stains wouldn’t show so much against dark paint, but they do show on light paint so I recommend priming to get a nicer foundation to paint over.

When the primer & undercoat was dry, the fun started. I donned a large apron to avoid splattering myself with paint (it’s happened before…) and gathered all the paint pots, the roller set, and the decorating sponge, that I cut into pieces roughly 2 inches wide.

I wanted to create a warm backdrop that ranged from white to grey, but that wasn’t too yellow…that meant choosing off-white paint with cooler undertones, plus some with a hint of pink-grey, a pure white, a light ivory, and a few shades of french greys (warm greys).

painting a textured photography backdrop

First I used the roller to paint the base: I poured some of the lighter paints and kept painting over with other off-whites, whilst the paint was still wet, in a kind of random way. This gave me a base that was a mix of off-white, light but not even – which was exactly my aim.

After that I started using the sponges to create textured effects. I put a little paint on the sponge, and then dabbed it on the board, at times also twisting the sponge, and at times swiping it lightly to create a smoother effect. I kept doing this using the darker greys at the edges, whilst keeping the middle of the board lighter.

Fading rose

I worked fairly quickly, so that the paint was always more or less wet, and I could blend the colours nicely. When I didn’t like an area, I just went over it again with the sponge until I managed to get the effect I wanted. It’s all about layering the colours one on top of the other, in a random, organic way. I enjoyed painting the backdrops very much, probably because I knew that if I made a mistake I could simply paint it over, and that gave me the mental freedom to experiment and have fun.

I wanted to do a video of all the different steps, but taping my iPhone to my camera tripod didn’t really work – the phone kept sliding down – and the brand new mini tripod I bought recently for the phone didn’t work that well either: the iPhone kept moving, and I didn’t want to risk it dropping on the floor…I ended up with lots of blurry footage of my wrist and forearm, and I could only salvage a short video where you can see how I apply the paint with the sponge, and how I twist it and dab it. By the way, I recommend using gloves if you don’t want to end up with paint all over your fingers too :-D

I also made a dark backdrop, using all the dark greys I could find, a tiny bit of black, and a smudge of dark blue here and there. It works well for dark and moody images:

styling and photography © Cristina Colli

Next time I want to make a blue backdrop, but I’m not sure what kind of blue…turquoise, or indigo? Decisions decisions….

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Once or, occasionally, twice a month I send out a Creative Note to my readers, with my thoughts on the creative process, inspiring links, and course news.

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If you’re on Instagram and would like to follow me there, my account is @c_colli

Jul

How I edit my iPhone photos

photography / Tips / 4 Comments / July 22, 2015

Editing for me is part of the process of creating an image, and I thought you might find it interesting to see how I edit my iPhone photos before posting them on Instagram. I take photographs using natural light, and I use a reflector to bounce up light and soften the shadows (see my iPhone photography tips here) but even though the iPhone camera is brilliant, it doesn’t give the same control that you get when using a DSLR….so I always edit my photographs to give them the exact feel I want.

There are lots of editing Apps, including Instagram’s own editing tools, but I mostly use the Photoshop App. This is the image straight from the camera:

iPhone still life before editing © Cristina Colli

I don’t want to crop it, so I click on the little sliders icon and start with adding Clarity to increase the details

editing tips for iphone photographs

then I adjust the Exposure and lighten the image

editing tips for iphone photographs exposure

I then increase the Highlights

editing tips for iphone photographs highlights

and open up the shadows a bit to further lighten the image

editing tips for iphone photographs

I usually add a tiny bit of contrast

editing tips for iphone photographs

and finally a small amount of sharpening

editing tips for iphone photographs sharpen

That’s it, now I’m happy with my image and I can upload it on Instagram.

still life photograph after editing

Here’s the before and after, side by side.

editing tips for iPhone still life photographs

The adjustments I make are simple and take very little time – basically I lighten up my images as I tend to go for a light and airy feel. Some adjustments are tiny and perhaps you wouldn’t notice the difference, but they all contribute to the final image. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend doing too much editing, as the quality of the image is often compromised…if the image is too dark to start with, for example, then lightening it up would reveal a lot of noise, and the result wouldn’t be so pleasing.

Of course I don’t use the exact same editing for every photograph. Some pictures may require no exposure adjustment, or perhaps they might need a tiny colour pop (Vibrance tool), more (or less) clarity…sometimes I also use the Temperature tool to slightly warm or cool the image, depending of the quality of the natural light which changes with the weather and the time of the day…but in general this is how I edit my iPhone photographs.

That’s just my style, and thank goodness for personal taste or we would all end up with the same type of photographs…and wouldn’t that be boring!

Let’s say, for example, that you prefer “dark & moody” images: you could increase the clarity, and then darken the exposure, shadows, and highlights to your own taste, until you’re happy with the result. Here’s the same image, but with a moody feel: I increased the clarity same as for the “light & airy” edit, slightly decreased the exposure, darkened the shadows, lightened the highlights just a smudge to make the white pop, increased the contrast, and finished with a little sharpening.

before_after_editing tips_moody

And these are the three images – straight from the iPhone camera, bright & airy edit, and dark & moody edit.

editing tips for iPhone still life photography

As I said, I usually tend to prefer lighter images…They cheer me up, probably because they remind me of blue skies and sunlight flooding in through a window, and that instantly lifts my mood…having said that, I also appreciate the beauty of dark and moody photography, and sometimes I experiment with dark backgrounds, low lighting, and “moody” editing. Which style do you prefer? I’d love to know :)

***

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Jul

A still life in the making

photography / styling / 14 Comments / July 14, 2015

Some readers have told me that they’d like to know more about the creative process behind my floral vignettes, so today I’m sharing a behind the scenes of how I create a still life.

I believe that creativity starts from within. For me, it’s about slowing down, tuning in, and clearing the outside “noise” to hear my own voice…it’s about listening, staying open, and allowing each vignette to grow organically, transforming one moment in time to tell a story. I start with an idea, an intention, and then lose myself in the process…

It’s often a particular flower, or object, that captures my attention and starts me on the journey. In this case, it’s a gorgeous peach rose, sweetly scented and in full bloom. This particular rose makes me think of an English summer, of soft, hazy colours and sweet scents, straw hats, lush gardens, insects buzzing, and a soothing breeze…

So let’s get started…I pick one of my painted backdrops, some elderflower heads and leaves, and a couple of twisted willow twigs.

floral still life in the making

I’ve already cut most of the rose stem, and placed the head in a small bowl filled with water so that the rose stays fresh and lovely. I add one willow twig

web_peach_rose_elderflower_01

one more twig

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some of the elderflowers

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and some lady’s mantle (alchemilla mollis)

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some more elderflower heads

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some leaves

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more leaves

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and then I look at the composition, and I think that the alchemilla doesn’t really belong…and that there are too many elderflowers…so I take them away, and tuck the twigs closer to the rose

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I like using the square format for my images, so I reframe the still life accordingly

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Yes, I like it…I could stop here I suppose, but I want to add something in the top right corner, to balance the composition. I reach for some small wooden bowls and an old letter

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It doesn’t feel right…so I take the letter away and add some more elder leaves instead

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Not bad, but I’m still not happy…what about one more rose?

web_peach_rose_elderflower_14

not there, definitely not…perhaps on top of the wooden bowls?

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too symmetrical, not right yet…I take away the rose and the bowls, and pair the elder leaves with some elderflowers

web_peach_rose_elderflower_16

almost there! Just a little nudge to the elderflowers…and it’s time to stop :)

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What do you think? Did you enjoy seeing this still life in the making? How does the final image make you feel? I’d love to know…

***

Once or, occasionally, twice a month I send out a Creative Note to my readers, with my thoughts on the creative process, inspiring links, and course news.

If you’re on Instagram and would like to follow me there, my account is @c_colli

Jul

June’s favourite happy still

12 months of happy stills / photography / styling / 4 Comments / July 1, 2015

Happy July! Can you believe that half of this year is gone? I can’t…but that’s what the calendar’s saying so… time to announce my favourite happy still for the month of June.

I’m very grateful to all the amazingly talented artists who have shared their beautiful still life photographs in the #12monthsofhappystills feed…there are almost 5,000! It truly warms my heart to see that so many of you are slowing down to focus on beauty, capture the moment, and share it with us…thank you!

This gorgeous image by @alajamie makes me smile every time I look at it…

12monthsofhappystills_June_favourite

Airy and luminous, sweet and intimate, this photograph draws me in, and makes me want to sit down for a moment and smell those lovely peonies…and put the kettle on, get my journal out, and enjoy a moment of peace and quiet…

Congratulations Jamie, and please get in touch so that I can send you a little something.

I also like these four photographs very much:

12monthsofhappystills_June_4

Images by:

TL: @juliabesidethesea
TR: @natusiaturygina
BL: @kimklassen
BR: @seasons_of_grace

The first sweet peas of the season…deliciously scented lilacs in the greenest of garden…peonies, cherished vintage items, and a furry companion…floating flower heads…so much beauty, mindfully searched and captured…Thank you ladies for sharing your moment of happy stillness with us.

If you’re on Instagram and you’d like to join the 12 months of happy stills project, just upload a still life image (or more!) that represents a happy moment, or something that makes you happy, and tag #12monthsofhappystills and @c_colli (More details on the original blog post here). On 1st August I’ll share my favourite happy still for July. Have fun :)

Subscribe to my blog here and receive an email every time I publish a blog post.
If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, my account is @c_colli
Thank you!

Jun

May’s favourite happy still

12 months of happy stills / photography / styling / 2 Comments / June 1, 2015

Hello lovelies, and happy June! It’s time to announce my favourite happy still for the month of May, but first let me say that it was a joy to see so many gorgeous photos in the #12monthsofhappystills feed…which of course made it extremely hard to choose a favourite! Thank you all for joining in and sharing your work :)

This beautiful image by @janegraystone is a stunner:

May_favourite_happy_still

I love everything in it: the composition, the background texture, those lovely feathers, and the pop of pink & yellow – delightful. Just a few simple things that she might have gathered during a walk, and yet so much beauty and harmony comes from them – isn’t it magical? Congratulations Jane, and please get in touch so that I can send you a little something.

I also like these four photographs very much:

May_4_stills

Images by:

TL – @lillekaninblog
TR – @juliabesidethesea
BL – @alajamie
BR – @samphireandseasalt

A flower crown left to hung on a door handle, a bunch of roses from the garden, sunlight shining on lilacs and cherished objects, handmade popsicles flavoured with lilacs and violets…thank you ladies for taking the time to slow down, capture a moment of joyful stillness, and share it with us.

If you’re on Instagram, you’re very welcome to join the 12 months of happy stills project – just upload a still life image (or more) that represents a happy moment, or something that makes you happy, and tag #12monthsofhappystills and @c_colli (More details on the original blog post here). On 1st July I’ll share my favourite happy still for June. Have fun!

Subscribe to my blog here and receive an email every time I publish a blog post.
If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, my account is @c_colli
Thank you!

May

April’s favourite happy still

12 months of happy stills / photography / styling / 1 Comment / May 1, 2015

Hello and Happy May! Whether you’re celebrating Beltane, dancing around the May Pole, or simply making the most of this Friday, I hope you’re all enjoying this Spring day :)

It’s time to choose my favourite April still life among all the gorgeous images that were tagged #12monthsofhappystills on Instagram. Thank you to all who joined the project! As usual it was hard to pick just one, but this beautiful photograph by @24cherrys immediately caught my eyes:

April_favourite_happy_still

The vintage tin, texture, hydrangeas, and dahlia all contribute to give a nostalgic feel to this still life, which takes me back in time and makes me think of days spent in the countryside, pottering in the garden, felling the sun warmth on my skin…thank you Jan for sharing, please get in touch so that I can send you a little something :)

I also liked these four photographs:

Aprils_4_stills

Images by Instagram users:
TL – @aquietstyle
TR – @gatheringspriggs
BL – @thedizzybee
BR – @claireb_photography

All these beautiful vignettes make me think of Spring, with its abundance of flowers and new growth, longer days, and the simple joy of having flowers in a room. Thank you ladies for sharing your lovely, inspiring images!

If you’re on Instagram, please feel free to join the 12 months of happy stills project – just upload a still life image (or more) that represents a happy moment, or something that makes you happy, and tag #12monthsofhappystills and @c_colli (More details on the original blog post here).

On 1st June I’ll share my favourite still life for the month of May. Have fun, relax, and keep focusing on beauty :)

Subscribe to my blog here and receive an email every time I publish a blog post.
If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, my account is @c_colli
Thank you!

Apr

Still life: hellebores

photography / styling / 0 Comment / April 28, 2015

Hellebores are tough spring flowering plants with a large variety of beautiful colours.

Hellebores_6841_web

I love their delicate shape and texture, and always look forward to seeing them bloom.

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Once cut they don’t last long, and tend to droop quickly, so I had to work fast to photograph these gorgeous flowers whilst at their best.

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When I finish taking photos of flowers, I like to cut their stem short (an inch is enough) and place them in a bowl filled with water – floating beauties. This way I can enjoy them for longer.

Hellebores_6705_web

When I was processing my images, I chose to edit this one in a moodier style, and applied textures to the backdrop to give the still life an overall vintage feel. This style of editing is quite different from how I usually edit photographs, but I like it too.

Hellebores_6825-Edit_web

The following images are available as Limited Edition giclée prints in my shop, and I’ll soon add more to the collection.

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Not all my floral still life images are in my shop, but if you’ve seen a photograph on my blog or in my gallery that you’d like to buy, please get in touch here to arrange a print.

Subscribe to my blog here and receive an email every time I publish a blog post.
If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, my account is @c_colli
Thank you!

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