I was at the Mystic Seaport last Saturday, attending the Wood Boat Show and stopped into their museum to see some pieces from their permanent collection. Consider this oil painting from 1851 by Duncan McFarlane, Packet Ship Samoset...(click on it to open larger)
Where is the focal point? Where is the light? If you pointed your camera at this scene would it look like this? How can you edit the values to balance the light and dark to achieve an effect like McFarlane did?
There are on "clipped" whites or blacks ... every value is just as the artist intended and is a romantic interpretation of what actually exists in nature... by design, craft, emotional intent, etc.
When you learn to do this with your photography, it will be taken to an entirely different level.
I really like relating photography to paintings. I have difficulty trying to find balance in my pictures. I want the focus point of my pictures to have the most light so your eye is drawn to the object. I have been trying to be aware of the environments that might cause blown out areas as well. Over the weekend, I visited the beach and I was thinking what a beautiful sight it was. Although it was a beautiful, picturesque sight, it wouldn't have made for a good picture. The skies were foggy and grey, reflecting light down onto the water. I knew the water would become blown out on the camera, as well as the sky. I am proud of myself to be able to determine what might make a bad picture bad now. I am looking forward to continuing my learning, and being able to take my time to create a beautiful picture.
ReplyDeleteI really like relating photography to paintings. I have difficulty trying to find balance in my pictures. I want the focus point of my pictures to have the most light so your eye is drawn to the object. I have been trying to be aware of the environments that might cause blown out areas as well. Over the weekend, I visited the beach and I was thinking what a beautiful sight it was. Although it was a beautiful, picturesque sight, it wouldn't have made for a good picture. The skies were foggy and grey, reflecting light down onto the water. I knew the water would become blown out on the camera, as well as the sky. I am proud of myself to be able to determine what might make a bad picture bad now. I am looking forward to continuing my learning, and being able to take my time to create a beautiful picture.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Meaghan... that is the key to real growth in Photography... how to "previsualize" a finished print or image when looking at the scene before you. Understanding how light will translate into a finished object takes time and practice... understanding the challenge to begin with is a big step on the journey....
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