Wednesday, August 11, 2010

what's in your toy box?


As a photographer, I occasionally find myself in a creative rut. Wandering around the house, camera in hand, looking for something to take a picture of.  During these times, I pull out my toys or props, those household items that I gravitate towards, have photographed at least a hundred times, and usually give me an interesting end result.

A few of these items are my creamware and teapot collection, our musical instruments, or our brightly painted lawn furniture.  But when I really need a fun shot, I can always rely on my favorite “toy” - one blue-eyed freckly boy.  You could say that he is MY muse. I am so thankful that he is always ready to play with me and still wants to have his picture taken. 

I think that aia*c's photograph below is the perfect companion to mine.  I loved playing with Hungry Hungry Hippos as a kid.  Who could resist Lizzie, Henry, Homer, and Harry Hippo?  It is nice to see the younger generations playing with the same toys... that don't require electricity.  And besides, the head and body just seemed to fit. 

Have a wonderful week.  I look forward to seeing your B&W submissions.  Stay sweet and take some time to play a little. ♥ tlb

Uploaded by aia*c on 4 Aug 10, 8.50AM EDT.

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Do you need some new toys to play with?
 
 We are having our very first Mortal Muses giveaway and it is a fun one!
To enter just leave a comment on this post telling us about your favorite "toy" to photograph?

 AND...

This adorable vintage Brownie camera could be yours.   Maybe this will be your new favorite toy to photograph?

AND...


The very talented artist, Kim Klassen of Kim Klassen Café has been kind enough to provide
a Baker's Dozen Plus Three set of original textures for you to play with.


After you enter, make sure to visit Kim at the Cafe, where you will find:

•the new Stay-Cation interactive ebook
•eCourses
•photoshop tutorials
•original textures both free and for sale
•painting tutorials
•inspiring artist features
•inspirational workshops
•thoughts on living an inspired life

___________

Limit one comment per person. You must be a follower of the blog.  Enter until Sunday, August 15th at Midnight. One winner will be selected by random generator and announced by Kirstin on Tuesday.

49 comments:

Justine said...

Oh look I am the first! my favourite toy is my grumpy nearly 17 year old son who lets me photograph him if I make him breakfast, drive him somewhere or give him money!

Sarah K said...

Mine is my dog, hehehe, she's always right there!

elflyn said...

Any one of my children. Although I'm sure if I won that little camera would certainly become my most favourite prop.

AnnGeeDee said...

My favorite toy to photograph is balloons. I seem to gravitate towards them after I discovered that if you buy the cheap ones you can see through, their shadows on the ground are in color! And they make great props for kids and adults... http://www.flickr.com/photos/40070449@N08/4873994403/

urban muser said...

It has to be my dog Willow. She is a very willing model, and super cute. It is scary how many photos I have of her!

Love the photo of your muse with the stuffed animals. It made me smile.

Megan Belcher said...

I love this post... and as you know, my favorite "toys" to photograph are my pets ~ Boy, Odin, Angus, Sunny, and Lolly. They are the light of my life; a constant source of unconditional love and inspriation even on my darkest days :)

tortugachick said...

My favorite toy to photograph are the toys my daughter makes. She is currently on an Amigurumi phase (crocheted animals). They are so cute and adorable. And I love to photograph our Ugly Doll collection too! And her with them! Love both of these shots; the top one put a huge smile on my face! I also love how you used Kim's texture on that sweeeeeet camera!! :D

Neuroknitter said...

What a fun contest! My favorite "toy" would have to be my cat, Gibson. He's the sweetest cat and never runs from the camera!!

Thank you!!

Marji said...

Flowers. I always go back to flowers. In the garden, in a vase, in a store. For some reason I am drawn to them. They are my "toys".

Anonymous said...

He's not really a toy but is a "toy" breed! My little Yorkie, Simon!

Kristine said...

yay i was ogling on that vintage brownie camera since i've seen it! my favorite toy to photograph are colorful balloons, i go crazy with them especially if they come in bright fun colors ♥ they seem to make me happy no matter how crazy the day has been.

Unknown said...

My favorite "toy" to photograph is my children, but their hands or their feet! I love tiny hands and feet!

Ashley Sisk said...

Don't tease me with that brownie! In all seriousness, I'm just getting into props and setting up scenes. My go to has been various glasses, jewelry, mirrors and then just looking around the house for various things. I should probably better use props.

hootnonny said...

My favorite "toys" to photograph are flowers.

Claudia said...

My daughter, she is my favorite toy to photograph! Thanks for the chance to win :)

Brooke said...

Of course my boys are my favorite subjects, but as far as stationary objects, I love my grandma's pearls, books and flowers! Thanks for haveing such a great giveaway! I love the pictures aboove they are so fun!

dbalyoz said...

What a great question! My daughter is probably my top subject...my favorite toys would be hers as well. :)

Joan said...

Flowers and Food are my favorites to photograph.
I love coming here each day and seeing all the great photos!
elizabeth-2010

Terry's Girl said...

hhhmmm...fave toy. I don't have one. I would like one, almost like a 'where's waldo' type of thing. Slip a little some kind of character into each photo and try to find him. That would be fun.

aclamp said...

ooooh thanks for choosing my pic :) my fave toys are my kids, of course!

Jennifer N. said...

My favorite "toy" to photograph is a flower. Unlike my son, it stays still!

JennKR said...

When I can get my hands on her, one bossy, red-headed, 4-year-old, ham of a niece. When she's away, yummy things to eat.

Denise said...

I would have to say my children too!! My 4 year old son doesn't mind modeling for me...for a few minutes anyway. My 19 month old is a great little model too...he has the best faces!!

JLC said...

Like most mothers who have a camera, my favorite toy is definitely my son. He's the most accessible model I know!

Jamie said...

Does a few newly downloaded apps for my iPhone count as toys? I've been dreaming of a diana camera, but haven't broken down and bought one yet

Andree said...

Hi!
I can't say that I have a favorite toy, but I suppose my German Shepherds (Oskar and Maya) and pretty willing muses!

Thanks for offering such a great give away!

I'm enjoying the weekly assignments too!

Becky {Bright Tricks Photography} said...

Well... my favorite toy is probably the balloon bouquet. It's so versatile and brings such joy!

Jan said...

My favorite toy is DaisyPuppy, although I have a hard time not blowing out all of her whiteness. LOL!
Also? I seem to have a thing for pears. Can't.Stop.Photographing.Pears. ;)

Phillaine said...

My absolute favorite is my godson, Rocky-- he's 4 years old and as the first grandchild on both sides, does not flinch or change modes with a camera in his face. Alas, since I've lived so far away from him for the past 2 years, my favorite toys to photograph on a regular basis are literally toys-- my surprisingly expressive and inspiring Blythe dolls. It's fun to make photo stories with them, as well.

Rosie Grey said...

So, now I try again... sorry for the inconvenience!

My favorite toy to photograph is a ruffled little bear! He is fantastic as model, poses quite well and seems to have as much fun as I have ;-)

Rosebud said...

Love to photograph my red Lab,Chloe and /or my 3 teenagers(when I can catch them!)

renaizzance said...

Very nice looking Brownie!

I'm not sure I have any one particular "toy" that I enjoy photographing more than any others. I can say I feel fortunate to have any of my old film cameras in hand and in use. It doesn't matter much what the subject is, just to be able to shoot film gives me a grand old smile...

renaizzance said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

My favorite "toy" would be my cats... they're what I turn to when I have nothing else to photograph!

Debby said...

I love to photograph my so very cute grandchildren.
Brownie is a cutie as well.

Rebecca said...

My favorite "toys" are the re-purposed pieces of yard art that lend character to our yard and flower beds. Juxtaposed with the flower-of-the-day, they bring me much pleasure...

Elsina said...

I love to photograph my cats, my kids and other things around the house that make me happy, being it a blooming flower, some attic find or a new plate I bought.

knitalatte said...

I'm obsessed with photographing roses. So I guess that would be considered my 'toy'. I find their faces so interesting and ever changing during the course of their lifetime, lighting and time of day.

74 Lime Lane said...

{assuming this is international}
my favourite toy would be distant cousins of this little guy ~ my brownies and a couple of polaroid camera. Lovely subjects they rarely take a bad picture.

Katja Maki said...

They are not really toys but photographing birds is what I love!! I love their personalities, colours, feathers and how they can just fly away if they like!! When I hear their individual songs, I grab my camera and know I will get a picture of my "handsome one" - red winged blackbird or of singing sunshine - American goldfinches to name a couple!

Ľubaša said...

My fav toys to photograph are flowers and plants generally... any kind of them and in every season of the year. from moss and fresh leaves to cut flowers in my vase. thanks
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Since my kids are grown my favorite "toy" to photograph are the flowers in my yard and in our public parks.

Maria Ontiveros said...

I love to photography my cat as well!
Rinda

Unknown said...

The lawn - and usually from the bug's eye view. I can't get enough of making that shot!

Anonymous said...

my favorite toy to photograph is my little dog angus. he is such a sweet little guy and is so helpful. he will pose and pose and if i want an exceptionally cute pose i say the work "cookie". works every time!

Anonymous said...

My favorite " toy " to shoot is the fish that I just caught and then released to play again!!

Unknown said...

I've actually been looking for a toy I would be happy keeping with me and photographing in different places. I don't have one yet. I do enjoy photographing candy. I buy it just to take photographs of it. My daughter helps me set it up in hopes that she'll get to eat it afterward. Does candy count?

rachel june* said...

favorite "toy" has got to be my baby. still young enough to hold still, but give me genuine expressions! fun giveaway!!

Unknown said...

I would have to say photoshop cs3 and all my actions and textures....i love playing with them

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