Big shell, little shell

click photo to enlarge

PHOTO
Two shells - both, I am told, varieties of the species Murex - laid on a mirror in front of a black background, with natural lighting.

QUOTO
"I have the world's largest collection of seashells. I keep it on all the beaches of the world...perhaps you've seen it."
Steven Wright (1955 - ), US comedian, actor and writer

INFO
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 70mm macro (35mm equiv.)
F No: f18
Shutter Speed: 1/6
ISO: 100
Exposure Compensation: -2.0EV

photograph (c) T. Boughen

Soft shell

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PHOTO
I don't know whether this shell - a gift from a child - originated in the sea or on land. But, I decided to photograph it in soft lighting and keep the contrast low - contrary to my natural inclinations!

QUOTO
" I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."
Isaac Newton (1642-1727), English scientist

INFO
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 70mm macro (35mm equiv.)
F No: f18
Shutter Speed: 1/80
ISO: 100
Exposure Compensation: -0.7EV

photograph (c) T. Boughen

Five-pointed rose

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PHOTO
There must be millions of photographs of roses, however the opulent beauty of the flower, soft and enfolding - but with hidden barbs - makes us take more!

QUOTO
"There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted."
Henri Matisse (1869-1954), French painter

INFO
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 70mm macro (35mm equiv.)
F No: f18
Shutter Speed: 1.3 sec
ISO: 100
Exposure Compensation: -0.3EV

photograph (c) T. Boughen

Chrysanthemum starburst

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PHOTO
Looking like the explosion of an aerial firework, this chrysanthemum seems to have a warm heart and a cold exterior. Incidentally, today's quote reminds me of computer-generated poetry!

QUOTO
"Chrysanthemums from gilded argosy
Unload their gaudy senseless merchandise."
from Humanitad by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), Irish playwright, writer and poet

INFO
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 70mm macro (35mm equiv.)
F No: f18
Shutter Speed: 1/80
ISO: 100
Exposure Compensation: -0.7EV
Flash: TTL (bounced)

photograph (c) T. Boughen