http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/images/gallery/full/71/208071.jpg
I think this could have been a really great photo, but there's one thing that really bothers me. That hill in the front gets in the way and distracts from the most interesting elements of the picture. The clouds dance through the peaks, there's a little blue sky, beautifully lying snow, and there's a nice lead up from the grass with dispersed rocks up to the mountains. It would have been a lot better from another angle or distance.
I see another potential photo to the left of the frame. Those smooth rocks have some interesting lines. I would have cut them from this picture and made them their own subject.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Prairie
I thought I would post something I didn't really like. This picture has a lot of subjects I like--prairie, rolling hills, darkening clouds. But it all doesn't come together for me. I think it might be all the yellow. That kind of makes the prairie a difficult subject. It's yellow a lot. I guess that's a challenge to the photographer to find a way to make it work because with all its vastness, it can be quite beautiful.
This photo is an example of something technically sound that doesn't make a great composition. It has the five planes. 1. The weeds in the foreground are an interesting landscape detail that give scale. 2. The mid-ground has the tire tracks that lead the eye. 3. The hills are the center of interest. 4. The cloud plane has clouds. 5. And then there's a little blue sky.
It technically works on the five planes and if that's how you judge a work, then it'll work for you. But, to apply it to the aesthetic rules, there's too much yellow. One thing from those rules that I think should be broken here. The photo might be more attractive if the clouds were darker.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Three Images
The caption of this picture said that these wild dogs feed on the weak and young first after the kill. That's something unique you want to know, so you can catch it. It's good advice to always keep your distance from predators too.
While a cat resting isn't an abnormal thing. You know they're going to do it and sleeping creatures tend to be in unusual postures. I think getting this one at night makes it more striking.
I don't know how long I'd stand over an egg waiting for it to hatch, but if you know a little science, that will narrow the window. Observing the incubator's behavior let's you capture something like this.
Tree Stump
I didn't want to log on to Outdoor Photographer and grab the first image I saw for my blog post. But that's what happened. I was really struck by this one.
The first thing I saw were the colors of that stump. The reds and oranges are so sharp and they flow to the presenting hand of the broken branch. If you were out there, you may not see this stump. But it dominates this photo. I like that it is the focus and its framing effect is minimal.
I love images of dark clouds, especially over a dry landscape. These mountains look dry and are being renewed. It also really benefits the image to not be able to see the distant mountains through the rain. It seems like an irresistible, looming force.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Rule of Thirds
It seems intuitive to shoot something according to the Rule of Thirds. Things look a bit off when they're at the direct center or far side of the image. The rule just affirms this shared aesthetic. Sometimes jarring that aesthetic is good, though. It gets boring following the rules all of the time. There's interest in the strange. Not knowing the rule and breaking it then, probably won't create great images. You may get a couple if you shoot enough. But in the interest of efficiency, you should know what you're doing.
Trees
I read an article about photographing trees. I love their form, especially when they're bare.
The first thing the article talked about was lighting. Basically, it's what we learned in class--shoot early or late in the day. The exception mentioned was during autumn when the sun is lower in the sky.
One of the pictures in the article was shot from just the right angle, at the right time, to get two unique looking trees, silhouetted rocks, and some really great colors in the sky. Plus, the photographer double-exposed a moon in there.
Another thing I like about trees is how they create frames in the picture. An ancillary feature like that creates more complexity in your composition and makes it more interesting.
There are opportunities to experiment with trees. Their height and varying shapes and textures allow you to capture a lot of different features from varying perspectives. When they have leaves or thin branches, there's a chance to catch some motion.
http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/how-to/tip-of-the-week/go-out-on-a-limb.html
The first thing the article talked about was lighting. Basically, it's what we learned in class--shoot early or late in the day. The exception mentioned was during autumn when the sun is lower in the sky.
One of the pictures in the article was shot from just the right angle, at the right time, to get two unique looking trees, silhouetted rocks, and some really great colors in the sky. Plus, the photographer double-exposed a moon in there.
Another thing I like about trees is how they create frames in the picture. An ancillary feature like that creates more complexity in your composition and makes it more interesting.
There are opportunities to experiment with trees. Their height and varying shapes and textures allow you to capture a lot of different features from varying perspectives. When they have leaves or thin branches, there's a chance to catch some motion.
http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/how-to/tip-of-the-week/go-out-on-a-limb.html
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Badlands National Park
It may not seem too exciting because it's kind of close, but I'd like to shoot the badlands. I think they're beautiful and there wouldn't be as many people there as in the other locales. Solitude is something I find appealing about nature photography.
I'd like to make the trip in the late winter/early spring when the dried flowers and grasses are starting to be revealed from beneath the snow. I think that's an appropriate companion to the badland rock formations.
Also at that time of year, you still have the threat of a heavy snow storm to paint the geology and create opportunities. I'd like to get a shot of an antelope in the snow. I like their colors. I'd also like to see snow caps on the formations in the extending land.
But the best stuff would almost certainly be what I don't anticipate. It's a vast area for me to wander and find stuff.
I'd like to make the trip in the late winter/early spring when the dried flowers and grasses are starting to be revealed from beneath the snow. I think that's an appropriate companion to the badland rock formations.
Also at that time of year, you still have the threat of a heavy snow storm to paint the geology and create opportunities. I'd like to get a shot of an antelope in the snow. I like their colors. I'd also like to see snow caps on the formations in the extending land.
But the best stuff would almost certainly be what I don't anticipate. It's a vast area for me to wander and find stuff.
Reading Assignment #2
Exposure
Exposure is the amount of light that gets through to the sensor in your camera. Modern cameras have meters that control this by adjusting aperture and shutter speed. The camera can automatically handle the exposure for most situations.
Reading the Light
Know when to shoot when you're out in the field. The sun is your lighting source and it moves, thankfully, in a predictable pattern. But it still moves and requires forethought from the photographer to advantage of it (sidelight or front light) and to avoid its pitfalls (lens flare).
Depth of Field
Depth of field refers to what is appears sharpest in the picture. It can be manipulated by opening and closing the aperture. A shallow depth of field allows you to isolate your subject and focus on detail. A large depth of field lets you gather in all the light and colors of the scene.
Motion Effects
You can adjust the length of your exposure to achieve some cool effects. Really fast action can be frozen by a quick shutter speed and a blurring effect will be seen when using a slow shutter speed. Blur can be created by the subject or photographer and, on digital cameras, be adjusted after exposure.
Exposure is the amount of light that gets through to the sensor in your camera. Modern cameras have meters that control this by adjusting aperture and shutter speed. The camera can automatically handle the exposure for most situations.
Reading the Light
Know when to shoot when you're out in the field. The sun is your lighting source and it moves, thankfully, in a predictable pattern. But it still moves and requires forethought from the photographer to advantage of it (sidelight or front light) and to avoid its pitfalls (lens flare).
Depth of Field
Depth of field refers to what is appears sharpest in the picture. It can be manipulated by opening and closing the aperture. A shallow depth of field allows you to isolate your subject and focus on detail. A large depth of field lets you gather in all the light and colors of the scene.
Motion Effects
You can adjust the length of your exposure to achieve some cool effects. Really fast action can be frozen by a quick shutter speed and a blurring effect will be seen when using a slow shutter speed. Blur can be created by the subject or photographer and, on digital cameras, be adjusted after exposure.
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