Isle of Arran Portfolio
I’ve just uploaded a new portfolio of images from the Isle of Arran.
Pirate Bay
Perhaps my most simplest of compositions yet. I do feel that conducting the workshops, has led me to understand a bit better ‘why’ I make images the way I do. I think this is good and bad. Good from the point of view that I can improve upon my compositions a bit better, but it’s perhaps a bit bad in that being consciously aware of why I make decisions in the field could perhaps lead to being contrived. I hope not.
This is a great portfolio, among one of my favorites from you. The mood is different, probably most notably due to the long exposures; what was your ‘average’ shutter speed for these images? Are you still sticking with your velvia reciprocity values that you posted here on your blog some time ago?
Comment by morgangray — 13 December, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
I myself, tend not to analyse the process too much , I have to say. If it feels instintively right, that’s it.
I do think much more about the technical side of the process now, and plan better to achieve the ‘look’ I’m after. (although, perhaps then, if I am chasing a particular ‘look’ then I am, in fact, concious of why I am making certain decisions about why I am taking the photo!)
Anyway- the photos you’ve shown here look anything BUT contrived Bruce. Pirate Bay is a lovely mysterious composition.
Comment by pinkpig — 13 December, 2009 @ 5:32 pm
Hi morgangray,
Yes, I use the same velvia reciprocity chart that is on this very same blog.
I’m not sure what the shutter speeds were – I tend to go with what my meter says – I work from the aperture to shutter speed. The speed depends on the light conditions which on this morning, they were rather overcast. I don’t tend to remember the technical details too much.
PinkPig, yes I agree – it’s learning to be ‘instinctive’ and that’s something I try to convey to others on my trips. I’ve found a lot of people think too much about the techincal stuff, but less so about how to visualise what it is they want in their own minds.
Thanks for saying the image isn’t contrived. I guess I’m just saying that once you understand why or how you do something, perhaps it’s not such a good move – there’s something good about ‘just doing it’ without any pre-conceived thoughts…..
Comment by Bruce Percy — 13 December, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
Great series of images. The soft, muted lighting conditions lend themselves well to the subjects.
I don’t think they can be classed as contrived. A photographer may certainly look at a scene, understand what ‘works’ and have the ability to [re-]create the mood they wish in a photograph. Something learned over time. Surely during this time a photographer develops their own style, not something contrived but how their creative thoughts take shape.
Or, in other terms perhaps, call it pre-visualisation. I know I’ve certainly returned to a location to create an image I ’saw’ and thought of in a specific way but wasn’t able to make for one reason or another until a re-visit. Even with this definition it still shouldnt be thought of as contrived, should it?
Comment by Hamish — 13 December, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
Bruce, no. 10 is undoubtedly my favourite image… but none of them look contrived.
I think there’s a difference between being more overtly conscious of what you’re doing and contriving to ensure you get a certain look (‘must get that Bruce-Percy-look’!).
And in your workshops you’re so good at communicating the need to listen to that (insistent) instinctiveness that is such a key part of art, that I imagine you’d have to work really hard to ‘unlearn’ it for yourself!
Comment by michael — 14 December, 2009 @ 11:22 am