Autumn Squash

Asher Kelman said:

Well, the place by my two new windows letting in morning Southern light, now has autumn squash to mark the coming fall season. To my dismay the squash fruits are sealed for display with shiny varnish so they don't go bad before one's eyes.

Asher Kelman: Ready for Fall

Color Desaturated​

That to me is too harsh. So photographing them, I struggled with the natural glossy appearance but then felt it should be as more subdued B&W.

Asher Kelman: Ready for Fall

Monochrome As from a Pinhole Camera

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I'd enjoy your feedback and your own examples of table top discoveries,

Asher

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Asher Kelman said:

Asher Kelman: Ready for Fall #3

Color

Asher Kelman: Ready for Fall #4

Monochrome, as as from A Pinhole​

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Tom dinning said:

You're going to kill me for this, Asher, but I thought I'd test the friendship.

I'd have included a bit more white all the way around, and a bit extra at the top if I had it. Or more window.
Seven pumpkin is more Fen Shui according to she who must be obeyed.
Besides, two key features in a photo isn't cool, especially when one of them is so beautiful as the pot. It would be like me standing naked next to one of your beautiful muses. Ech!

I actually like them all. I'm just fiddling.

_DSC4630Teapot copy by tom.dinning1, on Flickr​

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Asher Kelman said:

Asher Kelman: Ready for Fall

Color Desaturated

Asher Kelman: Ready for Fall

Monochrome As from a Pinhole Camera

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James,

So why is the second picture easier to like? Well I think that Tom alluded to the tension that occurs by having two competing subjects, the colorful squashes and the beautiful cast iron Japanese tea pot. What brings them together her is the removal of the competing and loud color information. This now allows us to balance out, compare and contrast the nature given fruit shapes with the precisely manufactured iron tea pot. The playing field has been leveled - and that's why B&W can be so surprisingly superior to what one would, at first thoughts, consider to be more attractive, the brash intensely attractive colors.

With the immediacy of saturated colors drained away, the process of admiration becomes less reflexive and more a matter of musing, absorbing, comparing and considering.

Anyway, that's my explanation! Maybe that works for you too!

Asher​

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James Lemon said:

That is a very good explanation Asher! Rather than arrange these objects to your own liking maybe you should try something more random? You could put the squash or other objects in a bag and then dump them out let them fall where they may and repeat the process over and over again. Until you find something that is harmonious or photograph them each time. I am sure you can find a composition that would be much different than you or I could ever dream up!

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