The Master In You: Monthly photo topic (Page 10): Compositionally, the rainbow accentuates the golden spiral that starts the curve at the base of the tree. Well done!

jburlinson Loc: Austin, TX

fergmark wrote:

The reason I wondered about it, is that I got the impression you had left the foreground somewhat underexposed in order to draw attention to the brighter areas above. For instance the whites in the waves, which are far from white, could bring our eye towards the foreground. Sort of a mixed message. I'm sure you did what you did with specific intensions. If I had gone to take photos of this tree I would have found the presence of a rainbow kind of sidetracking.

Compositionally, the rainbow accentuates the golden spiral that starts the curve at the base of the tree.

Well done!

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

jburlinson wrote:

Compositionally, the rainbow accentuates the golden spiral that starts the curve at the base of the tree.

Well done!

Believe it or not I considered that. But knowing R.G. That would have been purely happenstance.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

fergmark wrote:

The reason I wondered about it, is that I got the impression you had left the foreground somewhat underexposed in order to draw attention to the brighter areas above. For instance the whites in the waves, which are far from white, could bring our eye towards the foreground. Sort of a mixed message. I'm sure you did what you did with specific intensions. If I had gone to take photos of this tree I would have found the presence of a rainbow kind of sidetracking.

I have other shots where the tree is the main subject (see below). With landscape shots it's often the case that the whole scene is the subject, and when that is the case it would be inappropriate to isolate any specific element to identify it as the main subject. The first shot is about the tree and its setting, where the rainbow was an added bonus. I would rate the tree as one of the main elements but I wouldn't say it's the only subject of interest. With landscape shots my attitude is that it's primarily about the scenery but any extra subjects of interest are very welcome additions. In the first shot I could list the tree, the rainbow, the choppy water, the stormy clouds, the bright patch of sky, the distant mist-shrouded mountains and perhaps the expanse of water as all being elements in the shot.

Perhaps landscape photography is unique in that the whole scene can be seen as "subject". With some landscape shots there doesn't even have to be a focus of interest - the viewer is left to find their own way around the scene.
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R.G. Loc: Scotland

jburlinson wrote:

Compositionally, the rainbow accentuates the golden spiral that starts the curve at the base of the tree.

Well done!

Can't claim any credit. Mark is right - just luck (apart from composing it to "look right" - no spirals involved).

Craigdca Loc: California

This is my first time seeing these assignments and have learned from everyone’s posts. I especially like the note about grabbing the camera and *tripod* as it teaches patience to make a great photo.

For Theme 1 I like the high speed sharp image of a wave or splash as in the first example.

For Theme 2 I'd say my creativity comes out mostly in capturing a flowing river as in the second shot.

(Download)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Craigdca wrote:

This is my first time seeing these assignments and have learned from everyone’s posts. I especially like the note about grabbing the camera and *tripod* as it teaches patience to make a great photo.

For Theme 1 I like the high speed sharp image of a wave or splash as in the first example.

For Theme 2 I'd say my creativity comes out mostly in capturing a flowing river as in the second shot.

I like your posts. This idea is new to For Your Consideration. We are planning to have a different topic with some associated themes each month. As you demonstrated the topic this month is water and the themes are basically how people approach the topic.... smooth long exposures or stop action fast shutter speeds. The idea is to generate discussion rather than just a thumbs up or an atta-boy/girl. Thanks for jumping into the water. (sorry, couldn't help myself)
Erich

Craigdca Loc: California

ebrunner wrote:

I like your posts. This idea is new to For Your Consideration. We are planning to have a different topic with some associated themes each month. As you demonstrated the topic this month is water and the themes are basically how people approach the topic.... smooth long exposures or stop action fast shutter speeds. The idea is to generate discussion rather than just a thumbs up or an atta-boy/girl. Thanks for jumping into the water. (sorry, couldn't help myself)
Erich

Agreed, I appreciate the compliments but especially when someone also offers constructive advice. I’ve been posting a lot since my trip to Hawaii so hopefully I won’t wear out my welcome.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Craigdca wrote:

Agreed, I appreciate the compliments but especially when someone also offers constructive advice. I’ve been posting a lot since my trip to Hawaii so hopefully I won’t wear out my welcome.

That won't happen. We're glad to have you in our section. Thanks.
Erich

jburlinson Loc: Austin, TX

Craigdca wrote:

For Theme 1 I like the high speed sharp image of a wave or splash as in the first example.

I particularly like your image #1. It is split along a diagonal about 1/3 of the way from the top right. This gives me a feeling of two different sectors of the scene doing battle with each other, or at least displaying different moods/gestures. The differing color pallettes contribute to this tension. Hope to see more of your work.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

R.G. wrote:

I have other shots where the tree is the main subj... (show quote)

I am always very interested to see other photos from a location. One of the hardest things I have struggled with is my tendency to over crop a scene in camera. Time and again, zooming in too much on something I thought was interesting, produced a much less interesting photo. I know this has to do with a long time fixation to get maximum detail, and find out what the sensor in whichever camera I was using at the time, was capable of. I knew I was doing this, and began taking one more picture of my composition zoomed out, more often than not, a better picture of a scene. I am getting better at seeing the whole, but another factor in my area is that landscapes are difficult, if not nonexistent, so it is more usual for me to isolate some subject to photograph. That said, this tree, as a subject I find to be more interesting and intriguing in your first photo.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

fergmark wrote:

I am always very interested to see other photos fr... (show quote)

I can sympathise with your lack of photo opportunities, but focusing on specific subjects isn't a good approach as far as landscape photography is concerned. To get good landscape photos you need to think in terms of the whole rather than the parts. Maybe becoming more context-aware is an antidote to your habit of focusing on specific features. In landscape photography, backgrounds usually have at least as much potential as foregrounds and mid-grounds when it comes to composition possibilities. Perhaps a lack of scenery has caused you to become less scenery-oriented. But by way of compensation my guess is that you have a large and interesting collection of photos of specific features. We adapt to our circumstances and in the process our circumstances influence us. But forcing yourself to become more context-aware may be the answer you're looking for.

Craigdca Loc: California

jburlinson wrote:

I particularly like your image #1. It is split along a diagonal about 1/3 of the way from the top right. This gives me a feeling of two different sectors of the scene doing battle with each other, or at least displaying different moods/gestures. The differing color pallettes contribute to this tension. Hope to see more of your work.

Thank you, John. The uncropped version included the beach and some green moss that I felt were distracting even though it was a nice image. I was suddenly inspired to crop it down and really liked what developed before my eyes, and your notes help me understand even more of the dynamics behind it.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

R.G. wrote:

I can sympathise with your lack of photo opportuni... (show quote)

I don't know if any of you follow a youtuber named Thomas Heaton. He shoots exclusively Landscapes and he is based in the UK. He stresses that he always carries a long lens so that he can zoom in on particular aspects of the landscape when the whole thing is just too chaotic. I guess that there really isn't just one approach to landscapes. Sometimes the whole scene is precisely what you want. Other times, just a part of the scene is the key. I think that each scene has to be evaluated when you are in the field. Decide why you wanted to take the photo and decide what you want the viewer to see. Then adjust your approach accordingly.

I think the same argument can be made for shooting water with long exposure or short. One approach is not ideal for every situation .
Erich

Craigdca Loc: California

ebrunner wrote:

I don't know if any of you follow a youtuber named... (show quote)

Sometimes I’ve found that a landscape needs to be captured with a super wide angle lens or as a panorama. I like the option of shooting panoramas with the camera in portrait orientation to get more details for myself and other pixel peepers.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Craigdca wrote:

Sometimes I’ve found that a landscape needs to be captured with a super wide angle lens or as a panorama. I like the option of shooting panoramas with the camera in portrait orientation to get more details for myself and other pixel peepers.

That is a good method for landscapes. I've had some good results that way.
Erich