Plante Photography

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A Deeper Frame

Really now, what’s there to know about depth? Ensure a foreground, middle ground, and background, right? WRONG. There is more to it than that. David DuChemin explores the subject of depth, in depth. Dimension does not usually get a lot of talk but here David gives “depth” it’s due. ”A Deeper Frame” is not his largest eBook that he has written. It only weighs in at 23 pages and 12.5MB. However, the content is all good. David explains, as he always does so well, ways to turn a two dimensional frame into a dimensional scene that has depth. He explains with examples of his photography. David uses arrows and diagrams over-laid on his images to ensure the reader understands what he is talking about. It certainly helps us visual people get a more solid understanding of concepts.

David also talks about optics and lenses such as what 24mm or 200mm really mean. It’s not something, I had thought about much but I am glad to know it now. After all, we should know our tools very well to be a good craftsman/woman. This is where David fills in with some technical explanations for us. I am very glad for that portion of the eBook.

I also like his analogy of thinking of the frame NOT as flat but more of a CUBE. I usually try to get an element of dimension in my photos but “A Deeper Frame” now offers me some other techniques and ways of looking at the frame, or cube, to get the desired results. So, the next time you are trying to frame a scene that is “deep in meaning”, you will be able to add a feeling of dimension to the scene with the help of “A Deeper Frame“.

From Pixelated Image Blog:

“For the next five days only you can have A DEEPER FRAME for $4 (discount code DEEP4). Or you can buy 5 eBooks for the price of 4 (discount codeDEEP20). That’s our usual deal. But this is my 12th eBook, and I’m feeling punchy, so we’re offering our deepest discount yet. 12 eBooks for $40.That’s about 34% off the already ridiculous price. That’s $3.33/eBook! Use discount code DEEPER12 when you Visit Craft&Vision, fill your shopping cart and check out. These codes expires at 11:59pm PST July 2, 2011.”

June 28, 2011 | Categories: Photography, Tips, Tricks | Tags: art, photographer, Photography | Leave A Comment »

What I took from A.R.T.

For those who don’t know what A.R.T is… it’s an acronym for Artist Round Table. It was part workshop but mostly conversation hosted by Ray Ketchum. Dr. Ray, as I like to think of him is what I would call an Art Psychologist. Sports athletes may use a sport psychologist to help them improve their game. Dr. Ray helps the artist with art. In our case, photography. Anyways, there was literally, a round table for us to discuss and converse about photography, art, and most importantly -what is our own unique voice and how do we find it. Today’s post will hit a few points of what I took from ART.

Well… where to start? There were many discussions at the round table and other venues but all had a core subject -FINDING YOUR VOICE. In other words, are we truly expressing ourselves? or are we echoing what somebody else has taught us? We finally decided that we all have a voice and it is like a finger print and nobody else can copy it. We must be ourselves and let our photography speak for us, not for somebody else.

As Dr. Ray would say, “get out of the way of yourself”. Or, as writer Wes Cecil say’s, “don’t try to be clever”.As David DuChemin says, “shoot from the heart”. To me, these people are saying don’t over think of complicate your photography. Just shoot with your instinct. Your instinct is the true you. Shoot with your gut, your heart, your instinct.

I will use hockey as a metaphor. Sometimes, when a hockey team is desperately trying to score a goal, they try to hard. They tend to cough up the puck to the opposing team by making fancy passes. They try to get “clever”. A coach’s favourite saying would be, “The players are gripping the stick to tight”. In other words, they are trying to hard. They haven’t relaxed enough to let their instinct take over and have fun. That is how goals are scored. Stick to the basics, be relaxed, have fun, and don’t over think.

How do we “shoot from the heart”? or “let our voice speak”? First, relax and don’t get uptight looking for the perfect frame. Enjoy the moment. I have figured out that when I get a little tingle in my chest, I push the button on the camera. That is when I get my strongest images. I have learned it is the true me showing in the images when I shoot with my gut.

This is what happened with the image above. Because I like dogs, I was looking for a portrait shot with the dog, Juniper. However, she wasn’t co-operating with what I was kinda looking for. My gut told me to keep the camera in portrait orientation though her positioning changed to suit a landscape orientation. I kept framing her in portrait orientation regardless of what her movement… and then my gut said, “push the button”. The image above is the end result. I broke some rules without thinking about it. I did not “break the rules” for the purpose of “breaking the rules”. I just went with my gut, my instinct, my heart. The result is a broken rule or two and an image that has a feeling of oddity. Now, I don’t think of myself as too odd of a person. However, sometimes my thinking is odd and I definitely have a sense of humour. Those things don’t show up in my landscape photos but they do with Juniper. I think the image of Juniper say’s more about me and my “voice” than any of my pretty landscape images do.

I know there is a technical issue that I am not happy with but the feel of the photograph works for me. That’s the important thing. That’s why I published it.

June 21, 2011 | Categories: Photography | Tags: art, dogs, instinct, Photography, voice | 10 Comments »

Things I DON’T get.

First of all, I apologize for not having the image not being a good representation of what I am typing about. I am currently out of town and most of my images are on HD’s at home.

The other day I had talked about some things that I “get” in reference to how we photographers should study other art forms to improve our photography. For example, a knowledge of design would immensely help our images. I tried to relate how athletes cross-train to improve their game and how artists can do the same. I try to expose myself to other forms of art to get inspiration and a better understand how to express my own voice.

HOWEVER… there are some art forms or genre’s that I just “don’t get”. I like to think that I have an open mind to different things but some things just do not tickle my fancy. Perhaps, I am not as sophisticated an art consumer as I wished to be. Anyways, here are a few things that I “don’t get”.

Opera

First of all, I guess it would help that I spoke Italian or whatever language Opera singer’s sing in. That would definitely help me. I understand Opera’s move people emotionally with a story of tragedy. I “get that” but not in the way the message is sent. I would rather see a movie that tells the same story than a soprano belting out super high pitched notes in which I don’t understand. Don’t get me wrong, I totally appreciate the singer’s ability but there is a point where sometimes it just hurts my ears. I find baritone much easier on my ear drums.

Abstract Expressionism

I don’t get this at all. Jackson Pollack literally throws paint on a canvas. The result looks like a paint mess to me. I just don’t see anything for my brain to connect with. To me, it’s just a mess of paint -plain and simple. I have seen better pictures painted my elephants in Thailand. Perhaps, if Jackson had painted a little more “literal”, I may get it. However, he didn’t so I don’t get it. Unless, it’s just decoration. Maybe the colours go well with the couch? Regardless, I don’t “get” what Jackson was expressing.

Modern Dance

I think ballet could be included in this “performance art”. I am very amazed by the dancer’s athletic abilities and their body control but… I don’t get what they are trying to say. Maybe they are not trying to say anything? Maybe they are showcasing their body strength, flexibility, and control. Maybe, I need a more literal interpretation. I don’t know. What I do know is that I appreciate the creativity of the modern dancers. Modern dance was developed by breaking traditional dance rules. That part is what I have a huge appreciation for. As for viewing… it doesn’t usually keep me engaged.

Conclusion

By all means, I do not intend to dis-respect the artist and fans of these art forms. It’s just that sometimes, I just don’t get it. What I am trying to say is that just because I “don’t get” a form of expression doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate the skill, talent, or creativity that was put into the art form. Maybe I need to be more educated. Maybe I am just not culturally sophisticated enough to “get” some of these things and I need to go to finishing school.

Maybe, it’s just a matter of taste. Many people love eating salmon but I only like it as sushi. How did I know that I don’t like cooked salmon? I’ve tried it many times. That’s how I figure out what I like… and what I don’t like.

Anyways, I’ll be seeing some of you at ART in Port Townsend. I am sure we will be discussing many things such as this.

June 5, 2011 | Categories: What's New | Tags: art, photographer, Photography | 3 Comments »