Botanica - Part Sixteen

Halcyon
2011
© Larry Torno

Recently I spent a few hours at Janet and Ron's house photographing some of the many plants they have throughout their home.
     I found this single calla lily on the edge of the kitchen island and was taken by its simplistic beauty. It seemed to hold a purposeful, quiet, calming existence in this location and I wanted to capture the emotion of the moment.
   
To view more of my photo series, visit LarryTornoPhoto.

Botanica - Part Fifteen

Flora 37
2011
© Larry Torno

Sometimes, in an attempt to simplify my images, I wonder if I've gone too far. With Flora 37, I think I've taken it right up to the edge . . . a step further and it wouldn't have enough detail to hold my interest.
     As it stands now, it's a prime example of my search for emotion, shape and dramatic content.

E X H I B I T I O N  -  OPENING NIGHT

A new exhibition, Black and White Photography,
opens at the
Foundry Art Centre
in Saint Charles, Missouri, Friday, August 5, 2011.
Two of my images were accepted into the show, including Dragonscape, seen here.

N E W S  -  ON THE WEB

My photo of the Grand Canyon made it into the French blog,
La Lettre de la Photographie.com, which was voted One of 2011's Best Photo Blogs by Life magazine. 

To view more of my series, visit http://larrytornophoto.com/

Overhead Projection - Part Seven

Identified Flying Object
2011
© Larry Torno

I love driving around endlessly and finding opportunities like this. I saw this cloud and followed it until I located a composition that worked for me.

To see more of each series, go to Larry Torno Photo.

Stereoscope - Part One

Camper

2011

© Larry Torno

Every once in a while I see something that just amuses me. In this case, I'm not sure which house is connected to the driveway but at any rate, these are either the best of friends, the worst of neighbors or the most tolerant of people.

     The camper appears to be delicately and purposefully misplaced; like something you might find in the aftermath of a tornado and wonder how in the world it got there. 

N E W S  -  F O L L O W  U P

Recently I entered three of my Barbie photographs in a competition called I Love L.A. 

A total of over 700 photos were submitted for consideration but only 50 were selected for the exhibition. Although none of my images were chosen for the show, I was pleased to see a Larry Torno photo in the Los Angeles Times article promoting the event.  

Exploration - Part Two

Vertical Lift II
2011
© Larry Torno

Vertical Lift II is another in the new unnamed series posted as Observations and Explorations.
     Recently at an art opening I was challenged about this new collection with the question "Do you ever go back to a location and shoot the same subject over? Maybe even go around the block and try it again?"
     Okay Mark. I went back and took a second look at this building, shot it again and like it better than the first time around. Thanks.

N E W S  -  EXHIBITIONS

Pink Hydrangea was part of the Lenscratch online exhibition, Summer.

Sister, was entered in the Worldwide Photography Gala Awards exhibition, Portraits and People. A total of 8,420 images were submitted. My photo made it into the first screening of 628 photos, but unfortunately was not selected as one of the 274 finalists.

Observation - Part Three

Pinnacle
2011
© Larry Torno

I hadn't been on a walking tour of downtown
St. Louis for a while until last weekend when there was an evening storm approaching the area.
     I found this location and loved the hard, angular shapes and translucent colors.

N E W S  -  GALLERY & EXHIBITION

The Focal Point series is now available through the Bruno David Gallery.

UPCOMING EXHIBITION
Two of my photos will be included in the group show, Black and White Photography, The Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles, MO - details to come.

Observation - Part Two

Blue Pattern 
2011
© Larry Torno

On April 10, 2011, I posted an image titled Rhythm, which was an observation of images in motion. Later I posted a second image, Vertical Lift and filed it under the category, Exploration.
     Now, with Blue Pattern, I think I have the makings of a new series that is yet to be titled.

Botanica - Part Fourteen

Light Upon II
2011
© Larry Torno

A previous post of Light Upon showed the overall shape of the outside petals of the flower. Today's post, Light Upon II, was shot minutes later and reveals a different perspective of the same subject.
     I have an affinity to reduce images to their simplest compositions by wanting to concentrate on only a few key elements. I prefer this photo because of the ethereal quality and pastel colors.

Cats - Part One

Has it come to this? Photos of cats?
     Actually it has, as they have become the willing models of choice. They don't complain, they sit still and they have little attitude. Well, okay . . . Maggie has a lot of attitude but she still manages to exude her individual personality.

Focal Point - Part Six

Focal Point 017
2011
© Larry Torno

The last time I posted a Focal Point image was March 20, 2011. Since then, one of the photos has sold and was installed in a private residence.
     I work with these images through the camera lens and on the computer screen, so getting to see a finished print, matted and framed, in actual size, was pretty rewarding. Rewarding enough that it sparked my interest again in the series and prompted today's post, Focal Point 017.  
     Maybe it's because of the abundance of cloudy skies we've had this spring or the official opening of pool season, but I respond felicitously to the coolness of this image.