The Lytro ~ A New Kind Of Camera

I'm a photographer by nature.

Years ago I had a dark room in my house

and developed my own black & white film.

 

It was additive & artsy.

I think I've kept every camera I've ever owned.

My favorite for many years was my Canon AE1;

metal body, lots of lenses, durable & heavy for backpacking,

however, it took amazing pictures.

 

For my September birthday my family surprised with me....

A new Lytro camera!! 

 

 

 

The first thing you notice is it's shape.

It's square!  And short!  And lightweight!

 

William calls it a telescope & that's a fair comment.

The lens cap is magnetic so it snaps off & on.

 

There's no visible buttons rather just a little indentation

to snap photos & a very subtle raised texture for zoom

& refocusing. 

 

 

Here's a picture of Cokie Rue our golden-doodle.

Photo by Will.

 

 

A photo of the birthday girl.

Photo by Will.

 

Pretty great pictures for an 8 year old!

I think the size & easy handling of this camera are a

good fit for kids.  Hopefully, I'll get to use it too!



When Good Kilns Go Bad ~!

In my studio, I have five kilns that are fired nearly everyday.

They are work horses & have been basically

maintenance free for over 10 years.

I have two Sierra Kilns which were the early

prototype of the PMC Paragon Kilns.

I love my Sierra kilns so I was a little concerned when out of the blue

my 1100 model let out a little half beep & shut itself down!

Not a good sign.

I let it sit for a couple of days hoping it would have a spontaneous healing.

When that didn't happen I got out a flashlight
& screwdriver to do a little investigation.

Here's what I found...a burnt switch.  Yikes!!!

After a quick 911 call to my trusty electrician, Truman, the 
switch was replaced & I was back up and fusing.

It looks good as new & works like a dream!

Thanks Truman! 

Embossed Glass Technique ~

I'm working on a new technique to create embossed glass.

 

The following patterns were created by carving into

plaster blanks & then pouring slip or pressing clay into

the plaster to make a clay tile for the glass to be slumped into

at a full fuse.  It's a time consuming process.



  

 

 

Cubes design.

 

 

Dragonfly & spirals.

 

It's a process of trial & error.

Some of the bisque is breaking off during the glass firing

but I'm liking the overall effect.  I'm thinking the bisque isn't

able to take a full fuse at 1500 degrees?

 

After trying to use a variety of colored

art glass I've decided that these look best in a clear glass with colored borders.

 

Opinions?

 

More on this as the technique develops.