042: Ten Paintbrushes

f/11, ISO 200, 1/180 sec. 50mm M42, 21mm extensions.
A modest collection of various paintbrushes is depicted today. Some more worn than others, they are arranged here in two interlocking, comb-like rows.
I set them up by duct-taping each row loosely to a 10-CD jewel case box and bringing them together; then making some individual up-down adjustments to fit them all fairly neatly together.
The background is the black inside divider sheet from a large box of chocolates (see post 010 - now all finished..:3) which was set behind the CD boxes and angled downwards slightly as it is a little shiny.
The flash was mounted on top of the camera as usual, but sideways due to the portrait orientation. The tinfoil top-reflector helped to fire it from the left, and a white card (the inside of the chocolate box lid!) reflected it from the right side.

I ahve to say I quite like this one.

029: Butternut Squash

This is the kind of squash you don't get in the shops: One with a proper stem attached. I particularly like the stems on the remaining ones I grew last year - chopped off with a few inches to hang them by or hold on to. There are also the characterful, unexpected warts that supermarkets would frown on. A harmless reminder of the wholesome uniqueness of home-grown food.
I have three squashes left in the cupboard, including this one. Every squash I cut open will make me feel a measure of remorse for destroying an object of understated beauty, but I know that I will enjoy eating them much more for the effort it took me to grow them.
What is not seen of this particular fruit (squashes are berries) in this shot is its short heart-shaped form, quite unlike most butternuts. I expect it's partly that way because it didn't grow as much as it could. I blame the slightly late planting and newly-dug clay soil on this.
I haven't made up my mind if I'll grow butternuts this year, but I'll definitely be having a go at growing "Turks Turban" squashes. Also perhaps another unusual variety if I have the space.
The photo was taken with the same settings and setup as yesterday (see post.) I enjoy seeing the combination of warm, earthy tones with smooth and bristly textures. The way the squash feels in my hand is definitely invoked by this picture.