I should have posted this last week but better late than never! The theme of the Challenge was Roots, once again a word with many meanings and as many interpretations, several of which I’ve enjoyed viewing on our site. I love that about this Challenge, it’s making me look at things from different perspectives 🙂 Again, I knew I didn’t want to take a traditional ‘root’ picture. For one, there weren’t any interesting roots or even root-like objects in the near vicinity. Lots of trees but with their roots tucked safely underground! So I decided to grow my own…and since I have a non-existent green thumb, they would have to be grown from something that I could not destroy 😛
I came across ‘water candles’ on Youtube while surfing for ideas and decided to try them out. I’m not a ‘crafty’ person (pun unintended!), but these seemed simple enough and I wouldn’t have to go shopping for material. I have plenty of used candles and a million wax crayons thanks to Junior! So into my little fondue pot went the chopped up candle wax and a brown crayon and in 5 minutes, I had some nice bubbling, melted wax. I must say I felt very accomplished 😉 Then I poured small amounts of the melted wax onto a plastic base with a votive previously fixed, and dunked & swirled immediately in a bucket of water. The instructions said ice-cold but I didn’t bother with the ice. It was fun to see the strands of wax stretch out and rise the instant it hit the water 🙂 They looked more like icicles than roots but I didn’t care. I used my macro lens to get up close and personal with my waxy roots!
Last week, I also managed to download Photoshop and Lightroom – Finally! Now that I have them I’m looking forward to learning more about editing. I think it’s a great way to add some more fun into the photographic process. I’ve been using Youtube to study Photoshop tutorials and learnt recently how to blend two pictures into one, inspired by my friend Wendy who used the technique to create a wonderful image for the Roots Challenge. I used it to create another picture which if I had got done in time, I might have submitted for my Challenge. Then I found a rather nice ‘root’ picture that I had taken a year ago in Bombay and I used Photoshop to change it into a painting (an effect I really love). I thought it turned out rather nice.
As for Roots – I’ve just posted about how ‘Rootless’ I feel in my soul and how this ‘rootlessness’ feels authentic for the moment. So for now – it is what it is, and if ever I do sprout some myself – I promise, you guys will be the first to know. Meanwhile for those of you with Roots – Bask in their Glory 🙂 And for my fellow ‘Rolling Stones’ – Enjoy the Ride!
H is for Happiness 
The wax roots are super neat! And probably way more fun than making a candle out of those old candles. But the question is: does it smell good?
(Oh, and just look at this post. See all the roots you have??)
Thanks mon ami 🙂 Ooh…fragrance! It would if I had used bits of fragrant candle wax! Will do that next time! The tutorials on Youtube have some really neat ones!
I do don’t I? That’s 10 parts comfort and scary for the rest!! I’m hopeless I tell ya 😛
Very unique pictures of roots, i must say! And i liked ‘the root of all evils’ best! This is what we call ‘thinking out of the box’!! 😉 If i was a part of this challenge i would not have thought beyond carrot and radish! 🙂
Thanks Tasneem 🙂 I was practising my Photoshop skills on that one! And that’s cool too – a lot of people posted really great pictures of those too 😉
You could check out the site on the blog if you want to try your hand at it! It’s fun 🙂
I have already checked out the site, and though i keep telling my hubby that i m good at photography ( as he is always finding faults with pics i shoot 😉 ) , but secretly i know that i do not have enough skills to take part in this challenge. 🙂
Nonsense! I’ve just been over to your Blog and the silhouettes are fantastic 🙂 You should join…it’s one of the best things I’ve done for myself this year 🙂