The Aesthete's Alphabet - H is for Hearth

 

 We have been in the grip of a heatwave here in Cape Town so a roaring fire hasn't been top of mind, but a combination of landing up with a bootload of firewood, a very welcome rainy day and reading about all the ice and snow in the northern hemisphere, somehow made it an appropriate choice.

 

 For centuries, the hearth was such an integral part of a home, usually its central and most important feature, so even though hearth is quite an old-fashioned word, the feelings it conjures up of cosiness, family, togetherness and comfort are all things we still strive for today.  Here are my favourite "hearth" images for you to enjoy....



So .....friends.....keep those home fires burning....

 

Till next time

 

Sharon x

 

Image Source: 1. Euro Antiques Market 2. Saladino 3. Via Splenderosa 4. via vanapers.be 5. via From Purdue to Provence 6. Charming Spaces 7.  Via Cote de Texas 8. via House to Home 9. via Latte Lisa (Photo Morton Germund) 10. Charming Spaces 11. via Splenderosa 12, 13 Tumblr 14. Casa Decorada 15. Via Doesn't Cost the Earth 16. Belgian Pearls 17. Cote de Sud via Linen and Lavender 18. Roses and Rust 19. Unknown 20 via Interior Designipedia

 

Photography - the dark side

One thing that has become very apparent to me since I started blogging is how much skill is required to take a really good photograph. After posting photos from the web often taken by professionals, my own photos seem so inadequate in comparison! That's why I tend to use them less and less. Yes, we have tools such as Photoshop and Picnik, that can improve our photo's but I'm talking about that perfect composition and the quality of the light that some photographers capture so well. Taking photo's of light and sunny interiors is easier, but trying to take photo's of interiors with a darker, more moody atmosphere is very difficult. I have learned that a flash is a no-no! But if I don't use a flash, they often appear so dark, you can't really see anything. When I use various computer tools to change the exposure, I tend to lose the moody sort of atmosphere that I was trying to capture. I know that professionals use various artificial lighting sources to create the mood, but I have seen some of the excellent photography by you bloggers who aren't professional photographers. I need to know your secrets. Not your deep dark secrets, just your secrets about taking deep, dark photographs!

The photo's below illustrate the type of mood and atmosphere that I am trying to capture. Notice the quality of the light in these pictures, and how the light and shadow in these images creates a soulful sort of atmosphere.

Via tumblr

via Arcobelano

Source unknown

Via Here and Abroad

Via Flanelle et Prune

Via The New Victorian Ruralist



Via Marie Claire Maison

Via Happy Scout

Via My French Country Home

Via Simple Everyday Glamour

Via Violet Bella's World

So, my wonderful and talented readers and blog friends, some photography tips are badly needed by me. Can you help?

Till next time

 

Sharon x

Waiting for Winter

We have been having sweltering hot days in Cape Town. The kind of energy-sapping, temper-fraying heat that makes the days hard to bear. So I am waiting and wishing and watching for signs of winter!



   Winter means I can have my morning coffee in front of a roaring fire....

 Winter means the whole family can snuggle up with blankets and watch a DVD....

 

Winter means freshly baked banana muffins and steaming mugs of hot chocolate for the boys after cold, wet rugby practices.....






   Winter means sitting in front of the fire playing board games .....

Or simply curling up in a comfy chair, with a blanket and a good book.

Winter may be grey, but it is grey in a good way!

Till next time

Sharon x