Category Archives: Checking In

To Mask or Not to Mask During A Pandemic

I have to admit just writing that title “to mask or not to mask during a pandemic” gave me a weird feeling in my stomach. Yet, there is quite a bit a controversy over this topic. I like to think of myself as having an open mind so I listen to what people are saying on both sides. The Webster definition of pandemic is “a widespread outbreak of disease.”  We have heard from Dr Fauci and other Medical professionals COVID-19 is highly contagious. This only makes me want to wear a mask more when in public, especially any indoor venues. Especially with the increase in number of cases.

Obviously, my number one reason I wear it is to make every effort to protect myself and others from COVID-19.  I also strongly feel I have a civic duty to provide this protection. It is the one very small thing I can do to help contain the virus and help society reopen, heal and move towards being fully operational. I fully believe masks and social distancing is the path to recovery for our economy.

masks for pandemic

In addition,  I can’t forget and I hope you won’t either all of the doctors, nurses, EMTs, medical and hospital staff and the other essential workers. They put their lives on the line for us throughout this pandemic. Wear a mask for them and so they do not have to go thru what NYC did. Wear it for your local hospital if you won’t wear one for yourself.

The reasons not to wear one are varied and on several I agree. Sure the mask is uncomfortable and it often fogs my glasses. Sometimes I do feel stupid in it. And often I have a little stuffy nose after wearing it, but that is a small price to pay for helping society and the economy.

Thanks for reading and more of my work can be viewed on my website.

COVID Update – Hope

Like everyone in America and throughout the world everyday we cope with changes due to Covid. We fill our day with work, research and projects that are on our lists. After awhile watching TV becomes old, worry becomes exhausting and making masks boring. This is the time to get creative.

Going thru my WIP folder, I found a photo project named Hope, I started six months ago that got derailed by other projects. Happily I had a piece to complete and exercise my creative muscle.

This piece shot in studio used a macro lens and studio lighting. The concept is to create a repetitive patterns of objects that can be easily found.  However, I also want depth of field, so multiple images were taken using different focus spots. Keep in mind, the height of the objects is only one inch or less so attention to detail was important.  In post processing, my favorite stacking software was used, Zerene Stacker, to merge all of the different images.

This software is easy to use and does a great job lining everything up and permits edit of the stacked composite image on the different source images.  Of course, use of a tripod to shoot all images helped tremendously.

After the stacking process, I took the image into Photoshop for my final edits and to apply the different colors to the different squares.

Here is the image I call “Hope”

Colorful abstract fine art print.

I love this piece because I was able to combine many of my favorite aspects of photography. One is working in the abstract with a physical subject and the many technical considerations from lighting to composition.  Another is being in the studio, where I have all my toys and tools available. And of course the post processing is vital step and truly makes each piece unique.

If interested, you can view more of my work at my website, Etsy or Saatchi Art.

Please everyone stay safe and well!  As always, thanks for stopping by.

 

 

 

Create Abstract Work In the Studio

As the doldrums of summer set in I am once again in the studio. Today I am experimenting with macro work and combining water and oil. I have worked in this medium before and find it to be really helpful for creating abstract work. In addition, it also strengthens my technical skills.

The set up first requires the mixture of water and oil in a glass container. This container is then situated on plexiglass, elevated around 12 inches. Below the plexiglass is a multi- colored cloth or paper to create the colors in the water and oil mixture. To create the bubbles, the mixture needs to be gently agitated by either moving the container or stirring the mixtures.

My camera is on a tripod and a fast shutter speed is used to freeze the moving water and bubbles. Conversely, a slower speed creates more blurred or abstract images that can be very interesting also.

Thanks for visiting and happy shooting! More of my work can be viewed at www.susanmcanany.com.

Easter Stock Images Available

Easter is fast approaching and if I have some wonderful Easter stock images. These are high quality jpg images photographed in studio. The images are instant downloads and available as soon as your purchase is complete at my Etsy store. There are both religious themes and commercial bunny and egg themes.

Here are a couple of examples:

Assorted sizes and colors of eggs in Easter green grass

Multi-colored art glass in various shapes.

Downloaded image will be free of all watermarks. Because they are digital downloads here are my Terms of Use:

The image is a high quality Royalty Free jpeg (.jpg) file and may have the following uses: on your website, blog or in a creative or personal project. You may resize, crop, print or manipulate the image and sell it as part of a new product you create. You may not sell, resell, give, loan, share or transfer the image or jpeg file to any third party. Susan McAnany maintains the original copyright and is the sole owner of the image.

If you have any questions be sure to contact me.

I you get a chance, hop on over to my Etsy store and check out all the Easter stock images and other stock images available via digital download.

As always, thanks for stopping by. More of my work can be viewed at my website or at my Etsy or Saatchi Art sites.

Above all, have a wonderful Easter holiday and break!

Happy New Year – 2019

fireworks clipart

As we say goodbye to 2018, there are so many things to be thankful for and happy anticipation for the projects and events awaiting this new year!

So thankful in 2018, I was able to travel on several occasions not only to capture some great images, but I am also grateful for the experiences that travel provides. Any trip whether international or domestic gives opportunity to open up to world different from the one we work and live in everyday.  And if you are taking pictures, like I usually am, it is a delight.

I am thankful for the love and support and sales I received for my art this year. Nothing validates an artist more than sales. And when they are not there, love and support keeps me going. Thank you to my family, friends and of course clients!

I am thankful for my health and the health of my loved ones. I keep loving and positive thoughts for friends and family not doing so well. May this year be better for you.

I know 2019 will bring a host of new opportunities and experiences for me and hopefully you. And along the way, lets make some great photos!

Happy New Year!

Susan

Check out more of my work on my website.

Textures from Tuscany

Along with the beautiful scenery, outstanding food, wine and friendly people, I was happy to find great unique textures in Tuscany and not your regular brick walls and peeling paint. These were old; definitely vintage in nature if not historic and gave added to the ambience and richness of the area.

Now you may be asking what I want to do with photos of textures from Tuscany? Texture photos are great for using in Photoshop as an overlay to create more depth and interest. They are also a terrific addition to a dull sky and allow you to put your individual touch on an image. Another idea is they are helpful creating a unique vignette.

Textures can also be used in Photoshop when working on a composite image. Compositing an image is a Photoshop technique where multiple images are brought together with layers and masking to create a new image. Using textures, layers and masking will help you develop your unique vision and style for an image.

Lastly, if you are a Crafter, texture images are useful in a variety of ways from scrap booking to decoupage and will help to stimulate creativity on a project.

Here are a couple of textures from my trip to Tuscany:

 

texture for photoshop overlay
Rust, Yellow, Brown Texture
gray texture for background
Gray Texture

Check out more of my textures at my Etsy Store.

Also, check out more of my fine art prints at susanmcanany.com.  Thanks so much for visiting and keep creating!

Sunrise Over The Bay

The sunrise over the bay this morning was awesome and very inspirational. I truly love this time of the year as the days are getting a tiny bit shorter and sunrise comes a few minutes later each morning. Both of those circumstances allowed me to capture this image below with my phone.

Sunrise Over the Bay

Enjoy and I wish you many beautiful sunrises and sunsets to enjoy!

More of my fine art prints can be viewed on my website.  Prints and digital downloads can be viewed and purchased at my Etsy shop.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July to all!  This morning I listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence written 241 years ago. I tried to imagine what it was like for the people in the Colonies while they fought for the freedom and rights we now take so for granted. The hardships and obstacles they faced were tremendous and yet the conveniences were few. No cell phone or land line service existed, no internet, no cars, no in door plumbing, thus they must have been very determined.

After listening, I felt extremely proud and humbled to be an American. Also, I felt so thankful to those who crafted that document and secured our freedom. Thankful to the many who fight today and have fought throughout the years to protect our rights as U.S. citizens. It also made me realize how fragile those rights are. They can easily be eroded and greater effort needs to be made to preserve and protect them.

I hope all US citizens take a few moments to read or listen to the words of our forefathers and the great document of the Declaration of Independence and remember just how luck we are this 4th of July!

Stars & Stripes

Happy July 4th

Thanks for reading and more of my work can be viewed on www.susanmcanany.com.