Matt Quinn Loc: Marriottsville, MD, Brewster, Cape Cod

I have been experimenting with simplifying my b&ws, and am trying to imitate what may be the basic principles of a Japanese Garden: contained space, many leading lines for the eye to follow within the space, muted tones, arrangement of different shapes into an integrated whole, places for the eye to rest. Here's this morning's effort. C&C welcome. Thanks in advance. Matt

(Download)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I can see that you are working very hard to achieve a preconceived effect. I think this is very positive and I applaud your efforts. What I see here is a staircase that leads the viewer into the scene. The water, grass and rock, I feel, are what you want us to concentrate on and that is scene is, as you stated, quite simple. We have water, grass and rock. You also paid lots of attention to the tonality and the textures. I don't know enough about Japanese art to comment on that aspect of the photo. I like what you are doing; and you are going to end up with a lot of very satisfying photos. Bravo.
Erich

Matt Quinn Loc: Marriottsville, MD, Brewster, Cape Cod

Thank you Erich. Very helpful comments. I don't know anything about Japanese art either, but I spent some time in Japan as did our son and we have several pieces of Japanese art in our home. I may have absorbed some intuitive sense merely from living with the pieces.
As I reflected on my first posts in this effort, I realized they lacked a sense of scale; e.g., how big is the rock, how tall is the grass? Today's post was an effort at context. I took some more this afternoon at high tide but have not yet looked at them.

Thanks again for your encouragement. How is your ankle? Matt

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Matt, I'm afraid you are going in the wrong direction if you want to apply the principles of zen aesthetics in your photographs. This latest image is essentially a picture of a staircase leading to a well trodden bit of beach and ultimately to a body of water. The staircase dominates. Perhaps this short article will give you some guidance as to the application of the zen principles.
http://www.designprinciplesftw.com/collections/7-japanese-aesthetic-principles-to-change-your-thinking

Cheers, Don

Matt Quinn Loc: Marriottsville, MD, Brewster, Cape Cod

Wonderful Don. Just what I need. Thanks very much. I will look at the reference today. Matt