Reflections 2016: September / October Posts
October 30, 2016 Reflections in Color
"The work of the Impressionists showed us that, if we look closely, we can see every color of the rainbow in any scene - an exciting revelation for jaded eyes."
- Tom Ang, Photographer and Author of "Digital Photography Masterclass"
Last month my focus was on the Monochrome Image. This month, it's all about color. You've likely seen a series of reflection images in my "Ripple" Gallery - all black and white. Now I've found an opportunity to explore that theme in color.
Colorfully painted buildings reflect in the bay below Fisherman's Wharf.
Neon lights from the shops above dance across the rippling surface of the water below.
September 18, 2016 The Monochrome Image
"Although we are now surrounded by billions of color images, the attraction of the monochrome image is as strong as ever. There is some irony that the digital era is when we discovered more subtleties in the black-and-white image than were ever apparent in the heyday of film."
- Tom Ang, Photographer and Author of "Digital Photography Masterclass"
I have on occasion heard photographers say that they "see" or visualize an image in black-and-white when they are looking through the camera lens. I wish I could say that I am one of them, but I'm not. There is, however, always a mood, context, angle, composition, or quality of light that I want to capture about the subject. And that's what I have in mind when processing the final image. What was it that I wanted to say or share about the subject and how can I best express that in the final image? I try to be thoughtful in manipulating images, using filters and apps in a meaningful way - not just for effect. On a recent photo outing with my Fotosaga group, I was attracted to a series of fences in the sand dunes. While processing, I found that my vision is more strongly conveyed in monochrome images rather than color.
The relationship between the fence posts in the foreground and background are what interested me...your eye is led into and around the perimeter of the fence.
The green moss, blue sky, and plant colors are all very subtle, but still distract from the flow of the composition. Where do you look first, and second, and so on?
The linear path of the fence line is repeated in the pattern of the trees in the background, as if they are in "synch", drawing attention from front to back.
The green shrub is the dominant form here because of it's relatively vibrant color. The eye then skips around the image, losing the intended focus.
Pretty straightforward intention for this composition.
Again, the tiny patch of blue in the sky and the green shrub and splash of orange flowers in the background distract the eye.
Thank you...
... for taking time to reflect on my work. I invite you to share your thoughts via my Contact Form. And please subscribe to the mailing list to receive email notices of updates and activities.