Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: James Clark on December 30, 2013, 11:45:04 pm
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A little in-camera effect with a Lensbaby, and some post with Nik's new Analog FX filter set. Enjoy!
(http://www.jclarkgallery.com/photos/westcoast.jpg)
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Very nice!
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Very nice!
What he said.
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Very nice!
Who is this idiot who trivialized such a great photograph with such a banal comment???
Oh, wait... never mind.
Now seriously, this is one of the best fine art photographs to grace this forum in a while. It is a pity it generated only two responses so far, both rather banal (sorry, Eric).
Let me elaborate it then:
I am usually rather weary of various tricks, canned solutions, "art" filters, etc, either applied at the point of capture or in post processing. This image has several of these, and yet... it works. Goes to prove it is the end result that matters.
The chosen composition (square) is perfect. Horizon smack dab in the middle works only in square. Central placement of subjects works only in square. And yet, in a nod to classical rule-of-thirds composition, there is a gradual darkening in the lower third.
This image can be printed 8"x 8" (Michael Kenna's favorite) or 8' x 8' and it will still work. The toning is fabulous. Greenish enough to avoid being decoratively "pretty," yet not sickish green. Leaning toward sepia, yet avoiding the cliché. The subject can be seen as pure abstract, or as even as a documentary (if you come close enough). The three dots in the middle can be seen as birds, surfers, or distant sails, depending on the viewing distance and enlargement. Enough ambiguity to satisfy even Russ' definition of street shot.
Then there is a simplicity of execution: huge negative space, a few discernible lines, three dots. And yet, with such minimalist approach, the photographer managed to convey the sense of movement and perspective, rushing into a vast nothingness (there you go, there is even a hidden philosophical aspect).
In the end, just one word: bravo!
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Sorry, Slobodan. What I should have said is "What he would have said if he had elaborated." :D
As for the image, the form, content, and color are all simple, effective, and they simply work. This is the first use of the Lensbaby that I have seen in which it works as an effective tool rather than as a gimmick.
Bravo, James!
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Um.. wow. Thanks so much, gentlemen. The fact that yours are two opinions whose I place in the highest regard on this forum only makes it better. And Kenna is one of my greatest inspirations, so to be compared in any fashion to his work is really quite amazing.
What's really funny is that this is one of those shots that's been on my hard drive for over a year, but in doing my year-end review/cleanout in preparation for a new website I came back to it yet again. I've always felt there was something here, but until I really decided to dedicate some time and emotional energy to finding it it sat unused.
Slobodan - for what it's worth, I do see the image as documentary, but documentary in the sense that it captures a time and feel as opposed to a specific event. I suppose that the fact that I haven't made it out to the coast in over 8 months now is making me long for it, and that memory/desire is what I was trying to capture. (I keep a recording I made of the surf and some sea lions barking in the early morning on my phone to listen to when it gets really bad :) )
What a way to start 2014 :)
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Indeed a fine image, that works due to its simplicity of framing, toning, and composition of elements. I feel this image conveys "adventure", as the surfers are going into what seem to be rough seas in a rough weather.
I don´t like very much the "dust bunnies" and other imperfections in the image, I like retro, but only to a certain point:)
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Indeed a fine image, that works due to its simplicity of framing, toning, and composition of elements.
I don´t like very much the "dust bunnies" and other imperfections in the image, I like retro, but only to a certain point:)
+1 - IMO the imperfections don't add anything to a fine image.
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+1 - IMO the imperfections don't add anything to a fine image.
I don't agree. With the possible exception of the "tear" to the left, which is simply too much, I think they are an essential part of the effect.
Jeremy