Marcel Proust

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Reading Marcel Proust - 12 pages a day - start 2025, January, 7

It's almost as if I didn't find the project, but as if this project found me. This morning I started 'The Search', as readers of Marcel Proust's book 'In Search of Lost Time' call it. It's only 12 pages that I want to read every morning before anything else happens.

Okay, I'll start by making myself a coffee, but then I'm off.

By the evening, the book is already on my desk, the Mac pushed back. The book is too thick to slouch with. You have to sit down and put the book on a table.

To be precise, the book consists of three thick physical books. Each book contains further books.

I went straight into the book this morning. I like the style. The author is very detailed. Everything has a story, every thing, every person, and it is told in an epic way. The first-person narrator is melancholy, which also becomes clear very quickly.

I had the idea of translating images in the book into my own versions. The book literally invites you to do so. In the first few scenes, the author describes, among other things, his difficulties falling asleep.

But I also have a reading tour ahead of me that will last for months, which I would like to capture visually.

Who is reading with me?

Page: 9 - 20

Rain

Germany, July 2024, Title: Rain

Image three of the July Challenge #creativejuly2024 has been published on Instagram. The image I ultimately decided on is the second attempt. It's actually several images that I put together in Photoshop. AI also helped to expand the image.

I really like the atmosphere on rainy days. I also always find the shape of the umbrellas very beautiful. There is movement on the streets when it rains, because most people try to run away from the rain. Above all, the light is wonderful.

A creative day is a good day.

A day at the desk

Germany, July 2024, A day at the desk

The desk, a place of oasis and chaos, work, creativity, secrets, boredom. The day begins at the desk and usually ends there too. It's better to eat at the desk than to work at the dining table.

The chaos has to be organized again and again. Piles quickly build up. Books, magazines, tickets, cups, glasses – all things that feel at home on the desk.

But the things that feel so at home on the desk also have another place where they have to be moved again and again.

Locked in the bathroom

Germany, April 2024, Title: Locked in the bathroom, Model and artist: Ursula Preiss

The picture was taken yesterday. I wanted to sleep first and then look at the picture again with a fresh eye. I am fascinated by what is possible with Photoshop, Lightroom and the integrated AI. You still have to come up with ideas yourself. Implementing them is becoming more and more supported. Photoshop is easier to use, despite the functions that are constantly being added and improved. I don't get any commission from Adobe. You can articulate your enthusiasm without having to pay for it.

Locked in the bathroom' has the potential to become a series.

How do I achieve motion blur with my camera?

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Germany, April 2024, Title: Who is coming?, Artist and model: Ursula Preiss

How do I achieve motion blur with my camera?

To achieve motion blur with your camera, you can increase the exposure time. Motion blur occurs when the subject moves during the exposure time, making it appear blurry or hazy in the image. Here are the steps to achieve motion blur:

Select manual mode: Set your camera to manual mode (M) so you can control the shutter speed yourself.

Select slower shutter speed: Choose a longer exposure time. The longer the exposure time, the stronger the effect of motion blur. A good starting point is an exposure time of around 1/30 of a second or longer.

Use a tripod (optional): Camera shake can occur with longer exposure times, which can lead to unwanted blurring. Use a tripod to keep the camera stable.

Photographing moving objects: Point your camera at a moving object, such as flowing water, passing cars, people or animals, to capture the motion blur.

Take test shots: Take a few test shots and check the result. If the motion blur is too strong or too weak, adjust the exposure time accordingly.

Experiment with the exposure time: Depending on the speed of the movement and the desired effect, you can vary the exposure time. For faster movements, you usually need shorter exposure times to achieve motion blur.

Adjust the ISO settings: If the image becomes too bright or too dark, you can adjust the ISO settings to correct the exposure while maintaining the desired shutter speed.

By following these steps and experimenting, you can create motion blur with your camera and achieve interesting, artistic effects.

I received the answer via ChatGPT. I then entered the German text in DeepL to have it translated. That's how it works today.

I came up with the idea for the picture and the implementation.

The willows

The willows, Germany, March 2024

I'm going to stick with the 'coloring' technique for a while. This is also how this picture came about. I had a black and white picture printed out and then colored it. Before I photographed the picture, I sprinkled spices over it. I then processed it further in Lightroom/Photoshop/ExposureX7.

The vibrations give the picture an almost Van Gogh look. That was unintentional.

In love in February

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Feb 2024, Title: In love in February, Artist: Ursula Preiß

The power of human shape:

I have always been convinced that most pictures are even better when a person or an animal can be seen. In the series 'the power of human shape', the person in the picture will not take up more than 25% of the picture, and yet all attention will be drawn to the person.

The weather allowed me to photograph outside. Sometimes you get into conversations with people who are watching when I take pictures. I like that very much. It often gives me ideas.

The image was processed with Photoshop, Lightroom and Exposure 7X. The AI function of PS is great. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the photo with the red heart that I wanted to use. So I quickly drew some myself and then photographed them and added them to the composition.

I'll continue with the theme tomorrow. I still have lots of ideas.

Create and be surprised!

Feb 2024, Title: Yoga table

Working intuitively and letting yourself be surprised is also a method that can be a lot of fun. Some pictures are pleasing. If you analyze them, they fall through the cracks. Who cares?

Human shape

Feb 2024, From the series: Human shape

This is another picture from the series 'Human shape'. The picture was taken outside and was enhanced with AI in Photoshop. I have integrated further images and filters. Contrast and brightness were changed, also the color tone.

Urban jungle

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February 2024, Urban jungle

The picture was taken under the condition of having a human being in the picture, which takes up less than 25 % of the picture. And yet, as soon as a person is in the picture, the motif draws attention to itself.

The picture was created with Photoshop. The AI function was helpful to enlarge the image. But I also worked with layers.

The magic forest

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Germany, The magic forest, February 2024

The enchanted forest

This is what pictures made from mixed media look like. First there was a photograph. I converted this into black and white. I then had the picture printed on special paper for watercolors. Then I painted it. At the end, I spread pepper and herbs from Provence over the picture. I then photographed it again and edited it further in Photoshop. I copied pictures into it and did a few other manipulations.

This is now the finished product.

I'm curious to see how the picture looks when printed out.

Comments are welcome.

View out of the window

View out of the window, Germany, January 2024

How did you get this picture?

First of all, I took a photo. It was the view from my window here on a day when there were gigantic clouds in the sky.

I turned this picture into black and white and had it printed (as I don't have a printer myself). When it arrived I refined it with watercolors. Interesting to use watercolors again after decades.

Then I edited it further with Lightroom and Photoshop. The yellow dots on the right are turmeric.

This picture showed me that you can do much more than just take photos. There are basically no limits to creativity.

I am well aware that this picture was a finger exercise. But I still like the result. Every beginning has something special. The journey has begun...........

Where should pictures find their place?

Purvottanasana, January 2024

Where should pictures find their place?

Some pictures look great on the wall at home. Galleries are the best place for some pictures.

There are many pictures that enjoy a life in books.

Today's picture will probably live on in my blog. Maybe I'll print it out. Then it will live on my desk or on a shelf for a while.

There are also pictures that have only found a good place in a drawer.

Today's picture has seen the light of day. May it bring joy or at least a bit of surprise.

I myself am surprised by today's creation.