Sunday, January 27, 2013

Photo Shoots Make Us Crazy

January is going by quickly.  We both looked at the calendar the other day and suddenly realized just how few days are left in the month.   Can it be only that few?  Oh-oh.  We have some homework due by February 1.

 When the kids were in school I used to yell at them about putting off assignments til the last minute.

"What do you mean you need a costume, a 3-D replica of the solar system and six dozen cookies by tomorrow morning?!   How long did you know about this?" 

They would hang their heads sheepishly and say, "About a month."

"A MONTH?!  You knew about this for a month and I'm first hearing about it NOW??"

But I would try to make the deadline, pulling out all the stops.  And my hair.  And I dragged them right along with me; I wasn't going to suffer alone.

"There, we're done, and look, it's only 3AM," I'd say out loud to no one but myself since the culprits were fast asleep. 
 
Every year we submit a picture of one of our stained glass lamps to the Association of Stained Glass Lamp Artists for their annual calendar.   People from all over the world belong to the Association and there are usually well over one hundred photos of lamps sent in for consideration and voting by the membership.   We've been lucky to have a lamp picked the last five years in a row which is a really big honor.  For the 2013 calendar, our Rosebush shade was selected for December.  We were amazed. 

Submissions of photos for the 2014 calendar are due on February 1.

 Ummmm.....suddenly I feel about as sheepish as our boys did so many years ago.  Gosh.......I wonder where their procrastination tendencies came from?  Surely not from their Parental Units. 
24" Tiffany Reproduction Rosebush


Photographing a lamp is an amazingly difficult thing to do.  We take hundreds of photos (thank goodness for digital photography) and agonize over camera settings, lighting, shadows, hot spots, glare, position of the shade, which side to feature and on and on. 

Just like a Super Model, we have to go over the make up several times.
2012 Photo Session Madness
So, here we go again....we're trying our best to get a good photo of the latest lamp to be completed, the Laburnum.  1,986 pieces of fun.

There's Carl today, working on the lighting and details.
Here's a photo of the Iris after all the fuss and bother a few years ago. 
Along with the calendar photo submission, the Association also has an annual stained glass 'quilt' put together of submissions of panels from the membership.  We had our panel done well over a month ago but it, too, is due in Washington state by February 1.  This year's theme is 'Clematis', and here's our submission. 
Every panel sent in is put into the Quilt, and when they are all joined together, it's glorious.

I have a lot of fun making these quilt panels; we have scrap glass in abundance and this way it is put to good use.  But if I don't get this thing in the mail by tomorrow, it will be past the deadline for the quilt. 

So, looks like we'll be burning the midnight oil again, since Carl's taken over three hundred photos already and none of them are 'it'.  Here we go again.

Here's the best one so far.......


I owe our sons an apology.  The Procrastination Gene was definitely inherited.

But at least we don't need a 3-D Solar System and a costume.

Six dozen cookies sound good about now, though.

11 comments:

Alison said...

It's hard to see all of the lamp in all its glory in the picture, but I can still tell it's stunning! Good luck on coming up with a great photo to submit. Your talent sometimes leaves me feeling like my words are inadequate.

Lana said...

Such magnificent work! Every year, I am becoming more geared up to see your stained glass work while the winter snows blanket the ground. I love the gardening shots, but the stained glass documentation is simply a beautiful artform that makes me ewww and ahhhhh as if I am trying to figure out how I could get you to see those one day!!!Beautiful.

You two really do have the best of both worlds!!

Lana

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Oh my gosh Karen. The creations you, Carl and Joel have created are absolutely stunning. It is no wonder you are chosen for the calender. I would love to see one of those stained glass window quilts, I can only imagine how beautiful they must be.

Procrastination is something we both had/have.

Love and hugs to you and Carl ~ FlowerLady

Lona said...

It would be a challenge to photograph a lit lamp. Looks like you got a great shot though Karen. It is such a beautiful lamp too. I am always amazed at your beautiful glass pieces and the patience and time each one involves. Good luck!

Larry said...

I know what you mean about photographing the shades... it's a real pain!! I submitted a couple lamps as well and I was happy with how they turned out in 'real life'... the pictures on the other hand are not so good and I decided the heck with it... what they are, they are! I just don't need that stress in my life. I do think your laburnum looks great... I was wondering when that would show up on your blog! You have more patience than I. I'm actually not doing a lot of glass as I'm involved in restoring the kitchen which occupies much of my time. I do have a transom that is coming along and need to get completed for a customer.
Did you get the big thunderstorm and lightning last night... came right after the snow and I was amazed at its strength! Larry

Peonies & Magnolias said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Good Luck once again.

Sandy

Anonymous said...

OH WOW!!!!! STUNNING!!!!!
You guys are AMAZING.

sorry I have not emailed you yet!
It will arrive soon x

Pamela Gordon said...

These are absolutely stunning lamps! Such beautiful works of art that I know took hundreds of hours to make. Amazing!

africanaussie said...

Oh I love seeing the lamps you have done - this one is awesome.

Beth said...

Your lamps are glorious, Karen. You and Carl make a great team both in the house and in the garden!
Blessings, Beth

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work Karen, love the quilts. I love the intricate details. I have not been doing stained glass for the lack of time, but did two fused glass pieces (necklaces) for gifts for my travel hostesses.