Focus On: Alternative Photos

I Heart Summer from Susannah Tucker

Photographers are a creative bunch. There are many different ways to see a photograph; there are many different ways to display a piece of photographic art. Walls and book covers aren't the only ways to do so. Photography can become a part of the foundation of our daily lives, and I'm not talkin' Cover Girl!

See what some POE members are doing to express themselves beyond the basic print and prepare to be inspired in a big way.

Above, Susannah Tucker, puts together well-made and stunning photo blocks.

Spiral Staircase Photo Pendant from photoamato

There are lots of photo pendants available on Etsy.com, and there are photo pendants that stand apart from the crowd. This one from Photoamato is genius in its simplicity and perfection of the photo as a square design. You can find lots of tutorials for making pendants from Scrabble tiles, and you can find all the findings and supplies right on Etsy as well.

Pediatrician Personalized Block Photo from jenniferdennispotter

What a creative way for a professional to advertise themselves in a friendly and non-threatening way! Jennifer has hit on a fantastic idea for a functional art piece that makes people feel comfortable right away. "I had taken my kids to their doctor for a checkup, and I was looking at the artwork in the office. There were some sweet pictures of animals and children, but I thought it would be nice for an office to have something more specific to that person-- to that doctor. I realized the name blocks I'd been making with children's names on them might lend themselves well to pediatricians, too."

Interchangeable Polaroid Ring-Love from jerseymaids

Can't you just envision yourself wearing a Polaroid photo as a ring? The concept stopped this writer dead in her tracks! Lauren, of JerseyMaids, created these rings to satisfy her own desire to have a photograph on a ring. She played around with using shrink plastic to make them, but she wasn't entirely happy with the results. She kept working until she discovered that using glass would help her achieve something a "little classier". Lauren says, "Polaroids in and of themselves are such unique pieces of art that the rings should try and capture the same effect. So, you can decide which image fits your mood best each day, and pretty soon you'll be able to buy the ring charms a la carte after I finish listing all the sets."

Hitchhiking TV Coasters from chicalookate

There are coasters, and there are COASTERS! Don't these sum up the general feeling television leaves you with? A terrific example of creative coaster-y from one of Etsy's best sellers, ChicalooKate.

Do I Smell Cake? Photo Notecard from SharonKayDesigns

Making great notecards takes a lot of work -- the perfect photograph, the right sentiment, the appropriate font, the little details of design like the border, size of the card. It's not as easy as it looks. Sharon does an amazing job of presenting a humorous card in a simple, elegant fashion.

Shadowy Chandelier-photo printed on antique book paper from MissGillian

Grey Dawn-photo printed on antique book paper from MissGillian

Hopefully, Miss Gillian will leave us a comment and tell us how she managed to feed antique book paper through her photo printer without a paper jam or starting a house fire.

Bleeding Heart Notecard Set from JudiFitzpatrick

Judi is one classy lady, and her photographs prove this. These notecards are simply beautiful. Her photos lend themselves to work perfectly as unique stationery.

What have you seen lately?

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A world traveler and self-taught photographer, look for Ann wandering around city streets and tromping through woods and hiking trails with her camera. After owning an international transportation business for many years, Ann has found her creative spirit again through the lens. See more at Ann's shop and her website, and say hello to her on her blog too.