Friday, August 27, 2010

(Day 239) Tickling the ivories

I admire those who can play a musical instrument well - not just technically proficient, but also with a real feel for the instrument and the music. I once aspired to learn to play the piano - my oldest daughter, who was quite young at the time, was taking lessons and I decided I could learn too. The realities of raising a family, working full-time, and earning a university degree through part-time evening studies soon pushed practice time to the background, and I withdrew from further lessons.

I thought back to those days again today when I saw the grand piano in our church. I made a few images of some parts of that instrument that produce, with the right person tickling the ivories, some of the most moving music known.

(60mm  f4  1.3 sec  ISO200)

(10-22mm  f11  2 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f11  2.5 sec  ISO200)

16 comments:

Carolyn Ford said...

I love how you used different lenses on these. They really illustrate the difference in various focal ranges. All are excellent!

chasity said...

i have had the idea of this type photo with the piano keys in my head for awhile but haven't found the piano to follow through with it.
yours turned out really great!!
love the depth of field you used.
awesome.

now i'm really wanting to find that piano.
:)

have a wonderful weekend.

chas

Rick said...

@Carolyn Ford - thank you Carolyn; I like to try out different lenses in different situations - the results can be so varied - and interesting.

Rick said...

@Chasity - thank you Chas! I saw the piano there and the photos 'appeared' in my head - I just had to compose and shoot !

Have a super weekend too.

darlin said...

Rick, you play your music through the photos you shoot. This piano comes to life and dances in the light and angles you chose and I can hear the music in my head. I too love the piano, the neighbors play during the day and my passion for wanting to learn has come to life. Magnificent photos!

Costea Andrea Mihai said...

superb compositions!!

Romantik Seelchen said...

Many greetings, your thoughts about making music, me of my grandfather, he reminds Kantor had been and must organ very beautifully have played in the church, my father meant only later, none of the children could it as good play as the grandfather… a beautiful weekend with photographing or simply only dreams, time has for beautiful things, herzlichst jasmine…

imac said...

Music to our ears Rick, and memories to within your heart.

S. Etole said...

piano music has always been my favorite ... you help us hear it in your photos

Rick said...

@darlin - thank you Darlene; I've got a wide taste in music (with a couple of notable exceptions) and piano music rates among the top. Must be nice to have neighbours who can play for you ;-)

Hope you're enjoying your weekend !

Rick said...

@Costea Andrea Mihai - thanks for stopping by Costea!

Rick said...

@jasmin - danke Jasmin; I would love to have heard your grandfather play - a large organ in an old, large church, playing one of the old inspirational hymns e.g. How Great Thou Art, with ALL the stops pulled - that's music to my ears !

I hope your weekend is equally wonderful!

Rick said...

@imac - thank you mac; hope you're having a splendid weekend!

Rick said...

@S. Etole - thank you Susan! It certainly is a wonderful instrument in the hands of a gifted individual.

Unknown said...

These are great, Rick. The top one is brilliant, the depth of focus is perfect!

Rick said...

@Krista - thanks Krista ! Glad I had my tripod with me too.