Today’s post is going to head in a little different direction. Instead of stream of consciousness style introspection, I’m going to attempt to go over each photograph I post critically. I’m doing this in an attempt to both generate feedback, and to improve my artistic vision in the field. Some photo opportunities only present themselves once, and it is an invaluable skill to be able to frame the shot just so in that fleeting moment.
Yesterday, right at sunset, Leanna and I took a trip over to the Anderson County Park for a photo shoot. The harsh lighting caused by the low angle of the sun, provides a warm glow and creates long shadows.
The children’s playground was full of interesting lines and colors, and I did my best to take advantage of that. Leanna’s long yellow scarf mirrors the vertical lines created by the yellow posts in this image. I also enjoy the negative space on the right side of the image. The expression on her face also gives a sense of tension, as if there is something worth seeing outside the frame. I can’t decide if the harsh shadow on the right side of her face works, or if it is a distraction.
Great vertical lines again in this image. The slides act as extensions of her legs, and the wooden posts add a nice repetition. The colors of her outfit turned out to be a fortunate choice. The yellow scarf playing off both the yellow handle and the chain-link fence in the background; her blue shirt and shoes complementing the blue handle and slides.
I really like this photograph, but I’m having a hard time of pinning down why exactly. I’m going to start sounding like a broken record, but strong lines here too. The different texture of the table and the denim work for me as well. The colors complement each other well, and there is just enough red in the laces to make it pop. After talking through it, I think the laces are really the fulcrum of this piece. If I visualize them as blue or grey, and the image has a lot less impact.
I wish I had my audience in a live setting so I could bust out what I imagine to be my trusty laser pointer, and trace over the lines in this photograph. The chains and posts make up the vertical half of the grid, and the fence, grass, shadows, and mulch, constitute the horizontal portion. Not to mention the tension created by Leanna dismounting. The framing of this image could be improved if Leanna was about half a person to the left.
A fortuitous shot. Tension here too, but the subject coming towards you, as opposed to the previous image, certainly impresses a different feeling upon the viewer. Compare the triangle created by her legs to that of the beams holding up the swing-set, as well as the parallel created by her left arm and the horizontal beam.
This one is all my model; pure attitude in this portrait. The deep shadow on the right side of her face works in that regard.
Where the last image shows attitude, this one speaks of determination to me. I think these two images would work well together as a diptych. I’m not for sure which one comes first though, the order definitely changes the feel.
I think the repetition of shapes really pulls this one together. Circles are everywhere; Leanna’s sunglasses, her face, the obvious red circle surrounding the bubble, and then the less obvious yellow circle in the upper right.
When I saw this slide I thought of Lewis Hines’ “Power house mechanic working on steam pump.” I think I pulled it off, minus all the social commentary and historical relevance, but hey.
I took two photographs of these swings, one with my telephoto, and one with my wide angle. I was hoping to get some feedback from my readers to see which one worked the best. I won’t taint you with my opinions. We’ll call this Swing1.
And this is Swing2, discuss.
So, lessons from my first attempt at this style of post. I have difficulty finding technical flaws in my own images. Not that there aren’t any, but that I might need help finding them. In all forms of critique I’ve participated in before the artist always speaks last, if ever. So trying to critique my own images in front of an audience, without immediate feedback, is both foreign and difficult, and quite frankly exhausting. Maybe when I garner a larger audience I will be able to just post the images, wait for discussion, and then post my thoughts and opinions.
Thanks for reading,
Ryan
Aside: Do people think this is too many images?
1. I think this is about right for an amount of pictures. I am sure you took dozens but this is a very good sample and I think you have an eye for which ones to display and critique.
2. I think in the first photo the shadow on Leanna’s face was great; in no way a distraction. Also the blue shirt and sky allow the yellow to pop. I haven’t heard the term “negative space” in a while. you know your stuff brother!
3. As for the swing I must say swing 1. While I enjoy swing two I feel the background takes from the focus. Speaking of focus I love how in swing 1 you see each swing get more blurry as they fade into the distance. Swing 1 is a winner!
I have to agree with Shannon. I like how the lens seems to make the swings stretch on in Swing 2, but don’t like the contrast between the shadows on the swings and the bright sky. That’s just personal opinion though with no intellectual basis at all.
I love Swing 1 though, it seems to have a certain degree of tension to it. It’s as if it was a moment frozen in time just before something happens in the foreground.
Nice selection of pictures, and I enjoyed reading your thoughts on each. I seriously hope you are considering doing this professionally.
Really like the ‘lewis hines’ shot of Leanna.
I prefer Swing 2 b/c of the stretch effect.
Okay, in an attempt to be supportive (rather than due to any experience or talent for analyzing photographs), I prefer Swing 2, but possibly more for what it could have been, rather than what it is.
The blur/distance aspect of Swing 1 is interesting, and the juxtoposition of colors is nice, but I’ve seen that shot before. The look is ubiquitous Swing 1 may have been more interesting if the orientation was flipped to allow a contrast between the height and “depth” of the shot.
What I prefer about Swing 2 is that it is elegant, but it has depth. The tri-layered line of the fence, the swings and the playground border is a nice repeated element, which also finds contrast in the parabolic curve of the predominant swing. The vertical lines of the swings being mirrored by the trees in the distance also provides another repetative/contrasting element, without adding too much. Similarly, the photo includes two expanses of negative space that are nicely contrasted, with the sky and the pebbles on a diagonal axis balanced between the swing. This helps to echo the diagonal lines of the swing posts, the obverse sides of which provide a tension of which I haven’t determined my opinion.
I’m also undecided about a few of the accent artifacts in the photo . . . the shadow of the swing chainat the right border, the blue slide that pops out and the similar red thing at the end of the line. Part of me says they add character, asthetic analogues of the “imperfections” in my pottery that used to irritate me, but that I grudgingly learned to appreciate as ideosyncratic accidents of the artist, the medium, etc. I guess I’d have to play with photoshop to determine my opinion (I unlike Mr. Bowles do not have imagination enough to photoshop in my mind’s eye.)
My chief disappointment finds voice in the angle at which the photo is taken and how it affects the predominant swing’s position in the photo as it relates to the playground border. The break of the line caused by the position of the swing irritates my eye. I wonder if the angle of the shot could have been adjusted to permit the border/line to intersect the swing chain, thereby keeping the line intact as well as providing another rich echo, this time reflecting the intersection of the fence and the trees. Also, the break in the line also interferes with my eye’s attempt to percieve the swing as holding the great expance of blue sky, like cereal in a bowl. I do not, however, think that this would have been remedied by a shallower angle, as the line still would have interrupted the juxtoposition of the space and the swing.
Okay. Sorry. That was longer than I meant for it to be.
I like swing1 better. My favorite pic is the one of Leanna in the bubble. I don’t know anything else about photography.
Thanks guys for the comments and encouragement. I think that I have to agree with Mr. Melton about the swings. I think that objectively swing1 is the better image, but I like swing2 for what it could have been. Maybe next time.
Also, I think I am going to try to stick with 8-12 images until people suggest otherwise.
i like swing 2. i get a feeling of emptiness, like there should be a child there, but they’re not.
i like leanna in the slide. looks like an album cover. i think you shold work with bright colors more.