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52 Photo Challenge: Week 16-Flat Lay

“Hark, now hear the sailors cry,
Smell the sea, and feel the sky,
Let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic.”
—Van Morrison

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to create something with a flat-lay setup. It’s supposed to be an image where you lay objects out on a flat surface and photograph them from above. I wasn’t thrilled about this idea, especially since I was spending the weekend along the beautiful California coast. So, you will see the first few images are sort of my attempt at this (the sand is a flat surface, right?) #4 might be the closest I got and it’s not my favorite.

Instead, I offer you mostly shots from my weekend away. Let me know if you have a favorite and thanks for the birthday wishes. I’m feeling full of saltwater kisses and ocean breezes.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

#16

#17

#18

#19

#20

  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
  • If you want to join the 52 Photo Challenge, you can find all the information at nicolesy.com

52 Photo Challenge
Week 1: Bokeh
Week 2: Silhouette
Week 3: Black and White
Week 4: Motion Blur
Week 5: Texture
Week 6: Framing
Week 7: Leading Lines
Week 8: Negative Space
Week 9: Patterns
Week 10: Symmetry
Week 11: Green
Week 12: Sidelight
Week 13: Sense of Scale
Week 14: One Lens
Week 15: Series

62 thoughts on “52 Photo Challenge: Week 16-Flat Lay”

  1. The blue mussel shells on 4 were a fantastic deep colour & 7 has great silhouette contrasts in the bird singing on the rail! 🙂 Glad you had such a fun day at the beach <3

    Reply

    • I submitted #4 and #2 this week. I actually thought of you on the beach and how we share a love of lichen and moss. It occurred to me that muscles and shells growing on stones gives me a similar feeling. I’m not sure why…something about the hardness of the stone or perhaps how they represent time. #11 is maybe one of my favorite pics I’ve ever taken. I thought it looked so primal.

      Reply

      • Thanks for thinking of me. 😊

        Maybe it’s life where people don’t typically consider life existing. IDK. I’m gaining a different appreciation of living things as I get older, not in a “oh I’m getting closer to the end” way, but in taking time to look closer at the beauty of it all, even those things people often consider ugly.

        Hope things are going well.

      • Same. I used to think bird watching was such an odd thing to do, but now I find myself fully gripped by dramas being played out in my yard.

        Things are up and down with my daughter and I’m starting to realize this might just be how it goes with her. I found some healing while walking alone at the beach-a sort of answer to why I’ve been holding onto so much pain. I’m letting past mistakes and fear slowly, ever so slowly, evaporate off me.

  4. In photography I like black & white, but aren’t colors wonderful to see. If no people then at least an ocean bird, so number six is where I land. And sea anomies, me as child remembers, touch the tendrils with your finger then pluck it away cause we too big to be captured that way. Fun was my name for that. Brave brave me. But don’t ask about the shark.
    Welcome home.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much, Neil. I plan on doing some black & white photography this week and I’ll try and include a person or two (maybe). Yes, I touched these sea anemones and the starfish. I might have even touched a crab as it scurried across the sand. But sharks…no way!

      Reply

  8. All photography is excellent, Bridgette. I much liked 2,7& 15th. Nice you sharing your 52 photo challenge for your beach visit.
    Love write in words. I appreciate. 🤠

    Reply

  9. You managed to make beautiful photography out of something you weren’t even interested in. How you took them, especially the first three, would be how I’d view them so it feels like I’m observing these myself.☺️☺️😊

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    • #14, 15, and 19 are my favorites. The colors are breath taking. I love all of them but oh myyyy.😭 You really are one of my favorite photographers. You have such pretty pictures.

      Reply

    • Thank you!!! Yes, most of the shots other people took in the challenge were of food or other items laying on a table. They did use some interesting lighting, but I’m just not interested in that kind of photography. I’m glad those shots worked for you. The beach is filled with treasure and beauty! I miss it already.

      Reply

  10. I had to look at these twice. I wonder if one couldn’t consider the kelp a flat-lay. If I could offer a tip? Shoot directly straight down instead of the slight angle the flat-lay photos have here. I’m not sure what your instructor says, but I find those shots are more dramatic. I like these shots…just not sure if they fit your assignment theme. Numbers 5, 7, and 9 are particularly impressive and 12 is what I mean by the drama of a straight-down shot.

    Reply

    • We were instructed to use a tripod and do a straight down shot, but I don’t have one. I often modify the assignments to fit my needs as it’s really more of a challenge/support group than a class I’m paying to take or that is graded. I probably could have given the shots more attention and nailed the assignment, but I was really just focused on capturing the beauty. Thank you for the feedback and the kindness ❤️

      Reply

  17. Thank you for the beautiful photos. Years ago. i was station at Fort Ord, California. Every Saturday and Sunday. I would walk the five miles to downtown Monterey on the beach. I always find gifts from the sea dear Bridgette..

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      • You are dear Bridgette. I am 2500 miles away from Monterey now. At least, Michigan have the Great Lakes. Also, so many amazing waterfalls. You are welcome. Next year. I will visit Monterey and Big Sur. I love Big Sur.

  20. Beautiful shots, Bridgette! Thank you for the visit to the ocean….someday I may get to see it myself. But for now I’ll bask in your sunsets and absorb the peace from your pictures. 💞💞💞

    Reply

  25. I’m a sucker for marine blues and there are some beauties here. Still I’ll be contrary and go for the #2 seaweed. And another thumbs up for Van the Man.

    Reply

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