Post edited at 11:06 PM CET to correct embarrassing bad grammar and type-os. That'll teach me to blog too quickly.
As promised, the following are my first crack at photographing "Socks on Vacation." Strictly speaking, these weren't taken on vacation, and so I will not submit them for the Summer of Socks 2007 photo contest. They kinda suck anyway.
Here we have a scary close up of my hand. I'm no hand model. I inherited my Dad's stubby, wrinkly fingers, so they need to be de-emphasized. Also note the jarring, "fun house" composition. Terrible.
This one is better, but the background is blurry. Given the physics of optics and photography, not sure this can be remedied.
This time with the background in focus, which causes the knitting to be blurry. I guess it depends on the what the subject really is. This one also loses points for just being an outstretched hand holding knitting. Who'd actually knit like that?
Moving on to iconic scenery, let's see how I do in front of the Leiden's Windmill Museum?
I started out trying to line up the needle points with the blades of the windmill. All I got was a shadowy, blurry hand and barely any windmill. Terrible exposure. Blah!
And another lame, outstretched hand. And look at my death grip - like I'm stabbing the windmill. Look at me, I'm crushing you. Dark and moody knitting in front of cheery, blurry windmill. Meh.
What I've learned so far is that an outstretched hand holding knitting in front of cool subject makes for ho hum photos of questionable quality. I need to step up the creativity a bit, or get an assistant. Me thinks both.
I'm off to Berlin in a few hours. I'll check in later in the week. I've got my line on the yarn shops. What I need is a good deal on some Addi circs. Heather, did you use 3.25mm needles for the Jitterbug?? I swear that's what my ball band says.
Snort. Well, speaking for myself, I found the hand in front of the row houses and windmill, very entertaining. (I did laugh out loud at your "I'm crushing you" comment.) Your location is much more exotic and beautiful than my locale, so bring on more photos! I'd love to see your part of the world.
BTW, shouldn't you be knitting your socks in ORANGE? I've seen lots of your happy countrymen on the soccer channel--very pumped up and excited.
Bring on more "sock on location" photos--can't wait to see them.
Posted by: Jessica | June 24, 2007 at 08:45 AM
Hi Jen!
I am using U.S. size 2 needle--magic loop--and am loving the outcome!
Posted by: Heather | June 24, 2007 at 12:00 PM
I actually like the photos, I love seeing knitting outside, breathing the air - how it should be :)
Posted by: Schrodinger | June 24, 2007 at 03:37 PM
Guten Nacht von Berlin!
Jessica: You bring up a good point. I should try to knit some oranje sokken to photograph in front of scenic Dutch landscapes. Food for thought. These are a prezzie for my Mom, and she's not an orange girl.
Heather: Ok good. I don't have 3.25mm needles. I need to buy more needles like I need to poke myself in the eye with them.
Schrodinger: Thanks! Stay tuned for socks in Berlin. It might rain though, so socks may need to go to the biggest department store on the continent instead. ;)
Posted by: Jen | June 24, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Death grip holding knitting? Looks a lot more relaxed than my hands did when trying that magic lop. That's going to take some practice- not sure if I'll be able to endure.
Posted by: becky | June 24, 2007 at 06:50 PM
Great photo shoot!
Posted by: tiennie | June 24, 2007 at 07:35 PM
Ah! A Magic Loop knitter, too! And, we could be hand twins (remember that episode of friends?). Awesome. :-)
Posted by: Jen in CT | June 24, 2007 at 10:02 PM
Great pics! :)
Posted by: Jennie | June 25, 2007 at 12:22 AM
I think you did fine. And remember, you don't have to be strictly "on vacation" when you take your pictures. Vacation can be in your own backyard! :)
Posted by: Jessica | June 25, 2007 at 07:55 AM
The photos look great, Jen!
Posted by: April | June 26, 2007 at 03:48 PM
Hey, thanks for your comment in my blog about the Panda Cotton. I'd really like to try it out. Your sock looks pretty, and so does the scenery! I guess the only way to get your knitting and the scenery looking pretty at the same time would be for someone else to take the picture? ;)
Posted by: Alexis | June 29, 2007 at 01:53 PM
Awe thanks for all the nice comments. B helped me with some additional photos. It helps to have an assistant. ;)
Posted by: Jen | July 03, 2007 at 04:23 AM