owl woodcutting

Today I was happy to help my colleague in the office with my subject photography skills. This woodcut owl figurine is his work -- but the artsy photography is already mine!

taken with Canon 5D + 50mm 1.4 + 150mm tele

I knew the figurine isnt that small (13-16cm) so I choosed to do the job withmy portrait 50mm lens, and also I brought in my dedicated macro lens (for some possible emergence). Also, I asked him to bring in his woodcutting tools -- which turned out a brilliant idea, they worked greatly as a props, and as a background at the same time.

Material used: the walnut wood. Tools: hand-made chisels (he told me, some of them he made, or improved, himself) and good hands. The sketch of the owl he drew himself too.

The walnut wood is one of the nicest sorts out there, in terms of the texture and the colour.

When the figure was ready, he also treated the wood with special oil, which creates a protective coating. The wood becomes harder (i.e. obtains some protection from scratches) and looks much more beautiful and "more noble". As he told me, oil is of course more expensive, but also much cooler than usual varnish.

Holding this piece of art in my hands... my colleague have infected me with a desire to visit this local store, that he told me is selling various wood of expensive and rare varieties. No, I’m not going to buy and order anything (I can’t afford it!) ... Heh ... but at least I will look and hold these luxuries in my hands. And, of course, will take some pics to share (tho the warehouse has a poor lighting, as I figured out from his story).

Actually, there are some urgent needs: I own two vargans (aka 'khomus', aka 'Jewish harp'), and I always borrow one of them with me in a small bag. A lightweight durable wooden case to house them, would be just perfect deal.

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Plus more pics, same stuff, just different takes and angles and props.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a nice day!