Essay #12: Action

 

Having the time to amble about town has led me to contemplate the physics of walking. Perambulation is a simple skill, one of the first a young child learns. But it's also complex: a controlled fall harnessed for propulsion. In the moment weight shifts from one foot to the other, the strider tumbles from balance to descent. It doesn't feel like a fall becuase the next foot lands on the ground a moment later, restoring balance--unless there's an unexpected plummet off a curb or step. 

Life is a lot like walking. A series of spills that we use to move forward, catching ourselves, and propelling into the next step. Of course, it helps to be walking on solid ground.

Specs: 14mm 1/30 f/9.0 ISO 100

Essay #11: Landscape

I did rural architecture, so why not an urban landscape?

The fair city of Madison, WI.

Landscape is another trying style for me. It should be simple: the subject doesn't fidget, blink or squint. But rarely does a scene translate to film (or sensor?) the way I envision it.

Specs: 45mm 1/40 f/20 ISO 200

Essay #10: Portraits

Portrait sessions are fun, especially when the models are game for anything. It's less about making people look good and more of making people look like themselves. It's about capturing that look or spark that showcases the subject's personality. I usually begin with a few "traditional" poses to get the model(s) comfortable with the camera and my direction, then improvise. Sometimes location lends itself to innovation, but I savor most the shots where the subject really comes out to play. Many of those pictures could be taken anywhere--the person  is the captivating factor.

Specs:(top) 19mm 1/30 f/11 ISO 200 (bottom) 17mm 1/40 f/11 ISO 200

Essay #9: Architecture

I learned something today.

I knew architecture would be my greatest challenge this week. I love good architecture photography, but I can never seem to emulate styles that I admire. I have a plethora of truly terrible photos of urban buildings. They seem cold, flat, awkward and uninspired.

I went out today intending to get a nice landscape, and instead discovered the beauty of rural architecture.

The color and texture of the wood beckoned me from the car. I was more pleased with a dozen frames of these simple structures than the shots I've attempted of even the coolest-looking spots downtown. I still have leagues to improve in this area, but I'm excited to explore more places to practice.

See more on my flickr page.

Specs: 27mm 1/00 f/13 ISO 200

Essay #8: Macro

This image is more of a "close-up" than a marco, but I couldn't find any obliging insects.

I enjoy macro the same way I enjoy a good book: It provides a glimpse into a different world. A dragonfly's eye, the heart of a flower, light dancing on the surface of a water droplet. Macro looks closer, appreciating detail and magnifying complexity. The smaller the scale, the more intricate the design, and the more breathtaking the sight. It's all there, waiting for discovery, but I'm often too blind or too busy to notice.   


Specs: 45mm 1/50 f/11 ISO 400

Topic: Genres

I've devised a schedule of sorts for this blog. On Sunday I will announce the new topic for the week. Monday through Friday will have entries related to that topic. Saturday is wild card day (as all weekends should be) to post whatever I please. I may break from schedule occasionally if I come across a fantastic photo opportunity that doesn't fit with the current theme, but I anticipate maintaining this pattern for a while.

This week I'll explore different genres of photography; e.g., portrait, action, architecture, etc.

What do tomatoes have to do with photography styles? Nothing. I could attempt some pretense of doing a study in still life, but really, I just like pictures of produce. When I see a beautiful display, like this basket of cherry tomatoes, I can't eschew the opportunity.

Specs: 45 mm 1/40 f/5.6 ISO 200