THE MISSION
Create abstract art with plastic cutlery
Time needed
20 minutes
Skill level
Beginner
Kit needed
• Tripod
• Tablet
• Macro lens
• Plastic cutlery
QUICK TIP
Polarizers are an essential accessory to any photographer’s bag, they let you dial in the exact amount of polarized light coming in through the lens. The light that bounces off reflections in water and the blue in the sky are polarized, so twisting a circular polarizing filter lets you control them easily – it’s the same light that’s emitted by computer and tablet screens.
There are some things that just can’t be replicated in Adobe Photoshop and this is certainly the case when using a circular polarizing filter. This landscape photographer’s favourite tool is essential for cutting down reflections in water or glass, and also has the power to reduce scattered light – making blues in the sky look more punchy.
But these wonderfully useful and affordable accessories can also be used to change the appearance of polarized light emitted by computer screens. If you have a laptop, tablet or even a smartphone, the chances are that it’s throwing out polarized light.
If you don’t already own a polarizing filter you can pick one up for around £10.
In this project we’re going to take advantage of this special light to help us achieve the vibrant, almost radioactive-looking abstract in the transparent plastic cutlery you see here which will turn the heads of all your friends.
This story is from the December 2020 edition of PhotoPlus : The Canon Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2020 edition of PhotoPlus : The Canon Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CANON Speedlite EL-5
With a touch of gold, it's the first Speedlite to feature Canon's new 'multi-function foot' £499/$399
Newo Ikkin
Professional portrait photographer Newo reveals the Canon gear and lighting equipment she can't live without when creating her fantastical photos
EXPOSURES MADE EASY
Learn all you need to know to take better exposures
INSPIRATIONS
STUNNING IMAGERY FROM THE WORLD OF CANON PHOTOGRAPHY
Manhattan makeover
James Paterson shows you how to transform cityscapes into eye-catching artwork with a combination of blending and selection skills in Affinity
Generate AI backdrops in Photoshop Beta
James Paterson demonstrates the new filter that creates backgrounds based on a few words
Enhance portraits with panel sliders
Sean McCormack shows how to combine these controls to great effect in Lightroom Classic
Macro on a budget
Dan Mold shows you how to capture detail without breaking the bank
Clear the streets
Dan Mold shows you how to remove people from tourist hotspots
Flash fungi in forests
Elevate your macro skills with off-camera flash as James Paterson teaches you to capture stunning mushroom photos on the forest floor