pics : ice ice baby



thank you so much for visiting me over on simply hue - your support & encouragement really mean so much to me. if you want your photos featured, you just have to send vicki an email. i believe she will be continuing the photographer spotlights in the future.

several weeks ago, i read an article in the june 2009 issue of martha stewart living about chilled soups. i wasn't so interested in making the soups, but loved how the photographer, kenji toma, captured them through a layer of ice like this -


image : martha stewart living

pretty cool, huh? he had one layer of ice, then the chilled soup, then another layer of ice on top. there was lighting from below, while kenji stood on a ladder about 6 feet up to take the photo. there was also a blow-dryer involved to melt certain spots.

for some reason, i wanted to try it. first, i started with a layer of scratched lucite on four glasses with a little dish below. i like the texture from the lucite and will likely use it, again.



for the ice, i used a 8" square cake pan, and after a few attempts, figured out that i should shoot through ice that was very thin and barely frozen so it remained clear. i added a blue fabric (pajama bottoms) underneath, which helped make it look cold.



i don't imagine using ice again, as it got everything wet (surprise, surprise), but i'll try other things like screens, lace, plastic wrap, etc. to create my own textures.

i wouldn't say this project was the highlight of our weekend, although i'm glad it's off my list. the highlights would be the absolutely fantastic julie & julia movie (more about them both to come, i think) and taking charlie to the high line and chelsea market on sunday. he said it was the best day he's had since losing helen and that's a pretty good day if you ask me. hope you enjoyed your weekend!

xo, cindy

ps i'm always late to post on monday because i try not to work on our computer over the weekend. maybe i should just be early for tuesday?

20 comments:

Joyce said...

Cindy, pretty "cool"!! I'm guessing the ice was in a clear container to get the shot, right?

I took a quick class a couple of weeks ago with a photographer that shoots through glass gave a look of contemporary art.

I too have been trying to stay away from the computer on the weekends. I have my moments of withdrawal. LOL...

Hugs... xoxo

Maria | Vintage Simple said...

Cindy..! That third one is beautiful... I mean, all three are, but I just love that one...
-maria

Andi said...

Nice!!

Megan Coyle said...

what a fantastic project--I really like the result.

julie king said...

love your thirst for adventure and willingness to try new things! i really like your photos!!

it is funny that you blogged about charlie as i was thinking about him and wondered how he was faring. someone mentioned a widower neighbor a few days ago and the conversation made me think of charlie. glad he is doing well.

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

Lovely pics Cindy! Sounds (and looks) like you had a great weekend. I also couldn't agree more with your reason to post late on Mondays- lately I've been doing the same....

erin said...

wow, what a project! glad your weekend was a happy one!

hmstrjam said...

Love the ice- so perfect for this heat!

Glad you liked the movie, the women behind us laughed like hyenas and the lady next to me was in tears by the end - such a beautiful life Julia had!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Love the color you chose and the texture! I can't wait to see that movie!

Cindy said...

thanks everyone - it was fun to try.

joyce, i took the sheet of ice out of the container and put it on top of the lucite. it was sliding all over the place. it was also really hot that day and melting, melting ;). your class sounds interesting.

maria - thank you, i think i'll be trying that one again.

julie - thanks for thinking of him.

jaimie - we laughed really hard many times, meryl streep is amazing as julia childs who is so cute. scott really liked stanley tucci and i got teary at the end, too.

please sir said...

GREAT IDEAS! I really love that you are using these textures via photography vs. photoshop. I think it's a wonderful experiment and I can't wait to see what else you come up with!!

Cindy said...

thanks, diana! i feel like i had brain freeze because i didn't take a photo without the dish. dang!

Deniz said...

this is brilliant - i definitly will try it too, but wait for hotter weather - since ice is cold ;)
i have taken a photo through the bottom of a glass- was tons of fun (header of my photoblog) and seeing your experiments made me feel like experimenting :D

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

I love that you gave this a go! (and that you used PJs for a backdrop).

simplesong said...

what a great project... thanks for sharing!

Grace@PoeticHome said...

WOOOOOW! I just love the creativity of the "chilled" soup shoot and your inspired photos.

meg said...

wow, I would never have thought to do anything that creative in a gazillion years! you are so intrepid! my favorite pic is actually the one of the rose still poking up - the cold blues against the ruffled pale pink looks lovely :)

Meg xoxo

Cindy said...

i don't know how people come up with this stuff and who i think i am to try it, too. in our bedroom no less ;)!

Pascale said...

I like your experiment with ice. I'm sure I would make a complete mess, especially since I'm a slow photographer (though it's getting better), but it sounds/looks like fun.
I'm planning on experimenting with flimsy fabric some time soon.
Slightly different but also interesting, I find, are the textures by "les brumes", which everyone's free to use. Here's the link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesbrumes/collections/72157619596071109/

Cindy said...

oh, i made a mess for sure! there was water everywhere. i would love to see what you do and love les brumes very much!