Short Stories - Chapter One

It was a dark and stormy night . . . so goes the quintessential opening line to a fictional story that I'm sure involves some inky shadows.
     Today's post, and maybe some more in the future, was inspired by the notion that a picture tells a story. However, in this case, I need you to be the author. I'd like everyone to send me a sentence or two (or three) that I can put together as a story written by all of you. BE CREATIVE.
     Send your thoughts to larry@berkeleydesignllc.com. If we get something good, I'll pass it along in a future post.
     Help me write the story behind the photo!

Observe, Compose, Create

Always in search of opportunities to express my creativity, I ask the question, "Is Art here?", wherever I go.

In these cases . . . 
. . . is it in the white-washed window of an abandoned building?
. . . is it in a downtown parking structure?
or
. . . is it in an evening storm about to roll in?

Midwest Cliché - Trio

Cars, Wanted
2012
© Larry Torno

Today I'm adding a new image to the Midwest Cliché series and pairing it up with two previous posts.

In the News - In, Out, K

Occasionally I do a Google search for my images and discovered that I had a photo appear in Black and White Magazine (B&W) online. The 2009 post was of my photo, In, Out, K, from a series of parking lot images called Paved Paradise.

Surf over to http://barbiedollportrait.blogspot.com/ to see the latest Barbie image.

Observe, Compose, Create

Not everyone understands what I do. Here's a chance for me to try to explain how an observation turns into a photograph.
     I see something that catches my eye. In this case, a still life in my office. The color photo shows my observation (from left to right) – a section of a cream colored mat with gold frame, a hideous green painted wall (thank you previous owners), the angled edge of a leaning maple wood frame, a dark shadow caused by the slanted frame, the sliver of another hideously painted wall (yellow this time) and the surface of the last hideously painted wall (blue). What you don't see (thankfully) is the remaining pink wall.

I see this composition as flat and geometric shapes, convert the image to black and white, experiment with exposures and create a photograph that abstracts the essence of the original elements but presents them in a new and interesting vision.

Inspired

© Larry Torno

Our friend, SJ Hammack/painter+, dropped by with housewarming flowers. It was a nice visit, a thoughtful gesture and an inspirational gift that spawned the image above.

It's time for another Barbie post on http://barbiedollportrait.blogspot.com/

Composition Study

Anyone that follows this blog knows that I consider myself an observer first, and a photographer second. The camera is a means for producing the images I discover and the compositions I create.
     These three recent photos were part of a study of form and composition. The content follows my basic theme of simplicity in nature and rendering the subject in terms of shape, texture and pattern.

I N  T H E  N E W S

My photo, Evening Storm, was featured on the French website Le Journal de la Photographie.

Last year they posted some images from my Focal Point series. http://lejournaldelaphotographie.com/entries/3999/larry-torno-something-never-seen-before

Focal Point - Part Seven

Focal Point 122
2012
© Larry Torno

Since our move to the new home, we've been focusing on painting the interior walls. I've become acutely aware of the subtle differences of the blending of colors as the light changes in each room.
     I took out my camera to observe the ethereal beauty of light, shape and color in some new compositions. Today's post captures what I like best about the Focal Point series - fluid form and transparent hues.

One and Only

We have one flowering plant in our new yard and this is it. 

In the News - 4by6.com

Recently I had some promotional post cards printed by the San Francisco company 4by6.com. I posted the finished pieces on their Facebook page and received this great comment . . .


Wonderful work, all! But if we have to play favorites, it's this one (Focal Point) and Barbie. Love fest! The colors and composition on these two are downright dreamy.


Like.

If you'd like a set of post cards for yourself, just drop me a line with your mailing address at Larry@BerkeleyDesignLLC.com and I'll send them right over.