Japanese Garden
Aug 11, 2017 13:32:37 #
I want to make my b&ws as simple as possible, imitating in some way what I think of as the principles behind a Japanese garden; order, evident lines, elements supporting each other, integrated whole. Here is my first attempt, a substantially cropped photo. Now that I have seen it on my computer screen, I will go back and try to frame the scene more tightly and get better detail on the rock and try to avoid the sandy shore. A lot depends on the time of the tides. I want three elements, rock, grass and water with the interplay between them in the reflection. Comments welcome.Matt
Aug 11, 2017 13:38:43 #
This is quite nice. I think you've accomplished your intent. Especially nice tonality. The focus is sharp throughout, and the light textures are quite pleasing.
--Bob
--Bob
Matt Quinn wrote:
I want to make my b&ws as simple as possible, ... (show quote)
Aug 11, 2017 13:50:52 #
rmalarz wrote:
This is quite nice. I think you've accomplished your intent. Especially nice tonality. The focus is sharp throughout, and the light textures are quite pleasing.
--Bob
--Bob
Thank you Bob. I still feel dissatisfied, though. Not sure specifically what I would do differently; it's just that the whole piece has not come together for me in a way that says "That's it!" I appreciate your reaction and specifics. Matt
Aug 11, 2017 14:27:02 #
Matt, if anything, I'd say, perhaps, compositionally it could be improved. At the moment, there is a conflict in the supporting roles of the grass and water. The rock, being the "star" of the photo, I think is positioned a bit too central, at least vertically. Perhaps thought of whether you'd like more water or more grass could help the "that's it", or perhaps "that's it?" I'd experiment if the overall image provides the room. Place the rock on the lower 1/3 line then the upper 1/3 line. Each will feature either the water or the grass. See if that helps.
--Bob
--Bob
Matt Quinn wrote:
Thank you Bob. I still feel dissatisfied, though. Not sure specifically what I would do differently; it's just that the whole piece has not come together for me in a way that says "That's it!" I appreciate your reaction and specifics. Matt
Aug 11, 2017 15:04:56 #
I suspect that avoiding the sandy shore will prove to be a good move. It adds an element of messiness which goes contrary to the Japanese garden theme. And you don't want the shot to get too dark.
Aug 11, 2017 15:13:06 #
rmalarz wrote:
Matt, if anything, I'd say, perhaps, compositional... (show quote)
Bob, Here's an earlier attempt. I wanted to keep the curving line of water and grass in this one; in the first, I wanted to emphasize the rock. I return to this one as preferable, but a bit too dark, I think, in the grass around the rock. I will shoot this again later this afternoon and see what I can get, then post anything if I believe it's better. Thanks for your help and interest. Matt
Aug 11, 2017 15:16:21 #
R.G. wrote:
I suspect that avoiding the sandy shore will prove to be a good move. It adds an element of messiness which goes contrary to the Japanese garden theme. And you don't want the shot to get too dark.
Thanks,R.G. See my reply to Bob. I agree; don't want to go too dark. I have a tendency to do that, I notice, in my desire to make things very contrasty and energetic. I will try scaling back. Thanks for your interest and suggestion Matt
Aug 11, 2017 15:25:28 #
Matt, something along the lines of this. I hope you don't mind my taking liberties with your posted image, but sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words.
--Bob
--Bob
Matt Quinn wrote:
Bob, Here's an earlier attempt. I wanted to keep the curving line of water and grass in this one; in the first, I wanted to emphasize the rock. I return to this one as preferable, but a bit too dark, I think, in the grass around the rock. I will shoot this again later this afternoon and see what I can get, then post anything if I believe it's better. Thanks for your help and interest. Matt
Aug 11, 2017 15:28:05 #
rmalarz wrote:
Matt, something along the lines of this. I hope you don't mind my taking liberties with your posted image, but sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words.
--Bob
--Bob
Magic. That's what I'm looking for. Thank you very much. Matt
Aug 11, 2017 15:41:17 #
rmalarz wrote:
Matt, something along the lines of this. I hope you don't mind my taking liberties with your posted image, but sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words.
--Bob
--Bob
Bob, Here's is what your crop led me to try. I like the contrast between the straight and squiggly grass. I wish, though, that the reflected sky in the water were brighter to provide more contrast with the squiggles. I'll try messing with that. Matt
Aug 11, 2017 16:20:39 #
Matt Quinn wrote:
....I wish, though, that the reflected sky in the water were brighter to provide more contrast with the squiggles.....
With water I find that Clarity is at least as effective as Contrast in bringing out the shimmer and shine. A mixture of both plus adjustments to brightness for that area will probably give the sort of look you're hoping for.
Aug 12, 2017 15:51:43 #
I'd try selecting the water area and, as RG suggests, just increase clarity a little Matt. It's all experimental this pp lark!
Aug 12, 2017 16:01:27 #
Matt, something like this?
--Bob
--Bob
Matt Quinn wrote:
Bob, Here's is what your crop led me to try. I like the contrast between the straight and squiggly grass. I wish, though, that the reflected sky in the water were brighter to provide more contrast with the squiggles. I'll try messing with that. Matt
Aug 12, 2017 19:27:05 #
magnetoman wrote:
I'd try selecting the water area and, as RG suggests, just increase clarity a little Matt. It's all experimental this pp lark!
Yes, a lark. Thank you. I am wondering whether the image is too cropped and whether I should provide a larger context. The problem is the cove has a lot of boats anchored and I can't get a wider shot without including them. I will try different angles next week. I will also try R.G.'s suggestion. I appreciate you taking the time to look and comment. Matt
Aug 12, 2017 19:50:52 #
rmalarz wrote:
Matt, something like this?
--Bob
--Bob
Very lovely Bob. See my comment above about a larger context.
As I study Japanese gardens, I come up with a few principles; a contained area with boundaries; different objects with a variety of shapes that are integrated into an internal rhythm in the space; arrangement of elements that limits the eye to focus on only a few elements within the space; leading lines that are plentiful and evident but remain within the space; no great vista in the distance; muted colors. This list is purely my own and may be way off, but I want to try to impose these on my photography for a while and see where that takes me. Thanks for your support and suggestions. I appreciate them. Matt
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