10 Glass Photo Tips, Learning By Doing

Learning to photograph glass is a trial and error activity. I know there are rules about ISO and aperture settings when you have a nice camera. What if you are shooting with your phone? It's still a valid photo and it gets the point across. As a matter of fact I have seen some awesome phone photos so do what you can with what you've got. We are still learning.
There are some tips that everyone can benefit from.

1. get out the glass cleaner and polish till it sparkles. Dust shows up.

2. Use a tripod. I'm pretty stable but sometimes a sneeze will sneak up on me.

3. Try lighting from different angles. Stained glass has a different look when lit from in front and behind. Both can be pretty dramatic. Even side lighting can look good.

4. Stage your glass in various settings. I have played with black or white backdrops, natural settings and installed windows.

5. Use the reflection to your advantage. I like when the glass reflects the light. It shows up the texture.

6. It's okay to have people in your photos. There is a personal touch when the artist or owner is smiling with pride while holding their masterpiece.

7 Stage on different surfaces. I have shot on a white marble table top that looked great. Out in the grass might be just what shows off your piece.

8. You don't always have to shoot straight on. Sometimes an aerial view, side view or even from underneath can be super fun.

9. Try shooting just a portion of the window for a different effect.

10. The best advice is to use your imagination.

The more you practice, the more you'll learn and the more you'll succeed. And don't be afraid to take many pictures, you can take a dozen bad ones and then get one that's gold and nobody has to know that you took a picture of your finger, or it was blurry...they'll just love the one you show!

Home Sweet Glassy Home

There are many ways to make where you live your own Home Sweet Glassy Home. It's fun to visit a friend and notice the style they have in their house or apartment. I have a friend who is an exceptional painter . Her home is full of murals, paintings and inspirational artwork. We laugh because as I enter her home I greet her politely then my eyes wander during our conversation at the wonderful things to look at. It's her own fault for being so talented. Another friend has an Air B and B in her home and wants her guests to feel at home while keeping a separate space for her family things. A client's home was craftsman style through and through. It could have been lived in during the early 1920's. Our home is definitely occupied by stained glass artists. You can't turn your head without staring into a design of colored glass. It's what makes our house our home. I would like to share with you some of the ways we have displayed glass around the place.

I gathered some veggies from our garden and plated them on a fused platter. You can't see the plate very well but the lettuce and tomatoes were so pretty I let them have center stage.

Some glass butterflies are settled on the bean plants. There is even a fairy sighting.

Blue butterfly among the cherry tomatoes. 

This mirrored star in the garden sparkles clear into the house when the sun hits it just right.

I know this is a Christmas scene but I like it so well it gets to stay up all year.

These mosaic cups are for a class coming up. They can be used for small planters, a toothbrush holder or for  pencils at your desk. I have gone with a beachy theme including starfish and turtles.

This sweet little lamp lives in the boudoir,

I can get my morning inspiration as I prepare for the day in my dressing area.
There are always new projects showing up around the house. Glass is such a versatile medium. Thanks for coming along for the tour. I'm sure there will be more in the future. 

No Surface Is Safe

No surface is safe

Lynde Mott presented “What we  learn from Jane Austen” I love her presentations but my mind wanders. There is so much to see in her home. No surface is left untouched by her creative hand. The Nauvoo room takes me on a virtual tour of Mormon history. Every inch of floor, wall and flat surface is adorned in lovely painting. Her creativity is inspiring. In each window is a stained glass panel. Some were found in antique stores, some on e-bay and some were made by our studio such as the  Pioneer women entitled “Creative Opposition” I have only captured a small portion of the beauty of the home. Find a virtual tour by searching Lynde Mott’s home tour. It’s wonderful.

If that hasn’t peaked your imagination perhaps this brief tour through the fabulous antique store “Cat’s Cradle” in downtown Provo, Utah will. I always find treasures waiting for me there. I was especially taken by some fused glass mobiles made by Higgins Glass Studio in Riverside, IL. I left with some fantastic hats that I can’t wait to wear.

There is so much to experience and learn. I am drawn to beautiful glass no matter where I land. My studio is open for classes and visits about your stained glass dreams. You can find more of our work at Gomm Stained glass or www.gsg-art.com.