Read an interesting discussion of chiaroscuro over at Kat’s Eye Studio. The result is that I went back through some of my past images looking for examples. Some of these images reach back two years.
chiaroscuro
driving underground
During this trip to Seattle, I’ve driven through this tunnel on I-90 in both directions on three occasions. Each time, I thought…. Wow, what a classic photograph this would make. Unfortunately I had the thought too late to do anything about it. This time, I was ready.
The camera was on the seat next to me, ready to go. All I had to do was pick it up and snap off a few shots. It was that easy. I picked the best of them, made a few adjustments in post processing and presto…. I now have my very own version of a very iconic image.
Right now, I am feeling rather pleased with myself.
sunflower abstract
Yesterday, we took a look at the problem of approaching a subject that is overwhelming, like an entire field of sunflowers. We broke down the field into individual flowers. Today, we will break the flowers down even further.
In subjects like flowers, we will often find patterns that become abstract when they are isolated. In this image, I avoided the flowers petals so that we could focus on the pattern found in the center of the flower’s bloom. Experiment and see what kinds of patterns and abstract designs you can find.
Have a great day.
sit here, next to me
wee miss h gets some credit
Remember this portrait of me from a few weeks back? I was going though some images when I came across a picture that I tookt he same day. What sparked the connection is the little girl in the image I found was the same little girl that asked for my camera and took this image of me.
So, here is to Miss H. Sometimes I forget just how surprisingly good our younger photographers can be. Thank you Miss H. for reminding me.
choosing colors
I was watching my friend Deb setting up a sewing machine when I turned and saw this scene. This was one of those moments when you knew that everything was perfect. From the pose, to the light from the window, to the activity, the entire scene was begging to be photographed. So, I did. I took several shots, but this one is my favorite. I tried B&W , and it was ok. However, I loved the colors and the warmth in her skin tones. So, I made some basic curves adjustments and kept the color in place.
from my lens
I really enjoyed taking and processing this image. I love the way everything seems to be coming from my lens. Nothing ground breaking, just fun.
In this one shot, I can see the interior of the church, the opposite wall with it's tall windows, outside of the windows on the opposite wall, myself, and the outdoors behind me reflected in the window directly in front of me.
And, it all looks like it is spilling out of my lens. That is the fun part.
the photographic mindset
I took this image Sunday morning during a dawn drive through our local farm country. When I saw this cloud formation, I stopped the car and got out, camera in hand. The contrasting tones and the shape of the cloud front were what impressed me.
However, being a photographer, I couldn't settle with the beauty that I was looking at. The colors and light were not enough. I wasn't satisfied.
I wanted to see it in black and white. I knew that those tones would be spectacular in B&W. Sometimes color can get in the way of a great image, even when it is gorgeous. So, as soon as I downloaded the pictures, I made the conversion.
What do you think? Have you ever looked at a scene and just knew that it would make an impressive B&W image?
daisies
I think I am making progress on the flower images. They are not all beautiful, but they are getting consistently interesting. I'll keep working on it.
wild phlox
Sunday, I had an unexpected opportunity to meet with some photographers based out of the town just north of us. The plan was to go on a nature hike on a rural farm that has been returned to nature. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to talk shop with other photographers. Better yet was the fantastic home made ice cream that was served after we were all hot and tired.
I took advantage of the opportunity to continue with my desire to turn my flower images from simple snapshots to something more. To take them from pretty to beautiful. How am I progressing?
tim mcmurdo 