Happy April Fool's Day!

This week's blog began because I needed a watch.  I have always loved watches and when Fred suggested he buy me a watch for my birthday, I hemmed and hawed for a minute or two and went to the computer to search for watches made in America by American small businesses.  There were more small businesses than I expected and an astounding number of watches.  Dive watches, aviators watches, dress watches.  Reasonably priced to extremely expensive.  And I wasn't even looking for a digital time piece or smart watch.  Going through the lists of "best American-made watches", I was finding the same companies featured.  Many of the watches seem to be made for men or those with larger wrists.  When I stumbled upon The Waterloo watch at DuFrane Watches, I did wonder if it would simply be too big.  So my next step was to send an email to the owner and watch designer Steven Lee with a wrist measurement.  He responded very quickly with photographs and measurements of the watch and strap.  In my mind, that was a really good sign.  After several more questions answered almost immediately, I placed the order, despite the name Waterloo and Napoleon's defeat.  Why name a watch Waterloo?  As it turns out, Waterloo is the short-lived, original name for what is now Austin, Texas, and apparently, many businesses carry the name.  From Waterloo Sparkling Water Company and Waterloo Records, to the Waterloo Ice House, usage of it is very common.

Looking at the great product photography on the DuFrane website, it was truly crazy for me to think I could equal that, which I absolutely did not. But since I had told Mr. Lee I would send him some images, I spent a good chunk of time working on that evasive image.  It was an excellent photographic challenge, in which soft but balance light is the key.  The first image comes close, with natural brown Navajo-churro wool from Cedar Mesa Ranch in Dolores, Colorado.

watch product photo 1

The afternoon light in the image below is much too harsh, lending a more dramatic look, rather than soft.  On some level, it works.

watch product photo 5

Then there are the images of me wearing the watch.  My skin is of a certain age that lends mostly freckles and spots rather than smoothness.  Makes the rocks a perfect backdrop.  Fred shot these images. 

watch product photo 3

Since I started with a shot of the watch on wool, it just seem appropriate to include one my very multi-colored hair and the watch.

watch product photo 4

The light on the watch and rug is balanced enough to bring out the best in the watch.  This is Fred's latest rug, 403.

watch product photo 5

watch product photo 2

My thanks to Barbara F. R., Ingrid, Jean & Sam, Victoria, Terry T., Char, Kay, Marilyn G., Catherine, Sara, TTT, Steve, Pauli, and Rebecca A. for commenting this week, to Carol, Pater, and Fred for encouraging me to use this as a blog subject, and to Steven Lee and Fred for providing the watch and backdrops.  

Spring has definitely arrived in New Mexico as well as many other places in the northern hemisphere, and my hope is that all of you embrace it and its many joys in the coming weeks!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©