A photographic journal by Brian Mazur

Backyard

Like many people, my lifestyle was seriously upended by the pandemic. It's difficult to feel particularly creative in that situation. But now that a new normal of sorts has emerged, the creative spirit has called once more, and I've responded. For my first outing in this new world, I decided to start close to home: my own backyard. There are always interesting things to photograph if you choose to look. That includes familiar things if you open yourself to the possibilities. To add a little extra spice to the exercise, I also applied texture overlays to several photos. This is a post processing technique that I've dabbled with before. But this time I've tried to take it a bit further. With the right photo, it can do wonders!

Every garden needs a Buddha. I was aiming for a soft, dreamy look, to suit the contemplative expression of the statue.
Every garden needs a Buddha. I was aiming for a soft, dreamy look, to suit the contemplative expression of the statue.
Bleeding hearts are beautiful when they are in bloom. I chose my position so there would be complementary green in the background. I also wanted a line of out of focus blooms leading to the subject.
Bleeding hearts are beautiful when they are in bloom. I chose my position so there would be complementary green in the background. I also wanted a line of out of focus blooms leading to the subject.
I chose a position facing deep shadow while the foreground blooms were backlit. As a result, the background is almost black and the photo is quite dramatic.
I chose a position facing deep shadow while the foreground blooms were backlit. As a result, the background is almost black and the photo is quite dramatic.
Blooming chives. Here, I chose to frame an individual bloom surrounded by its neighbours.
Blooming chives. Here, I chose to frame an individual bloom surrounded by its neighbours.
I love geometric shapes and symmetries. The symmetry of this hosta leaf caught my attention. Yet its the asymmetries that make it especially interesting.
I love geometric shapes and symmetries. The symmetry of this hosta leaf caught my attention. Yet its the asymmetries that make it especially interesting.
A tree peony bloom dead in this world. Given new life in the photographic realm through a liberal application of textures.
A tree peony bloom dead in this world. Given new life in the photographic realm through a liberal application of textures.
Another chive photo, sunlit and taken a few days after the other. Here, I was aiming for minimalism, and made use of the stem as a leading line.
Another chive photo, sunlit and taken a few days after the other. Here, I was aiming for minimalism, and made use of the stem as a leading line.
One of the first of our peony blooms. I've used texture overlays to soften the photo and aim for a romantic feeling.
One of the first of our peony blooms. I've used texture overlays to soften the photo and aim for a romantic feeling.
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