Tunnel Vision

I saw this scene along a highway during the month of April.  Immediately I thought how beautiful the pastel
colors were as compared to the "in your face" colors of autumn.  Spring is just as colorful as Autumn, but just in
a different way. I could have increased saturation and contrast to jazz it up, but it is pleasing the way it is.(click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1; Lumix 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens @ 81mm; 1/500th sec. @ f/7.1; ISO 200

As photographers and artists, sometimes we develop tunnel vision; tunnel vision in the sense of preconceived ideas about what is what in photography and how things should be done.  

For example, we might believe (because we are told over and over) that only light during the blue hours and golden hours of the day can produce the best images.  That is true for much of the time but not for all of the time.  I'm sure you have created some stunning images at other times of the day.  In the same sense, only skies with puffy white clouds are good and plain blue or white skies must not be included in your photographs.  Not true.

Another example is that the best time of the year for color in nature is in the Autumn.  There is a lot of beautiful color in the Autumn, but again, that might or might not be true.  There is a lot of color all around us all year long.

I've become a keen observer of my surroundings for a couple of reasons.  I was a law enforcement officer for more than 35 years and a photographer for almost 50.  Almost always I'm (still) looking everywhere but straight ahead when I'm walking, driving, wandering, etc.  Yes, even while driving, but I shouldn't admit that.  I keep a keen eye out on my surroundings and not just straight ahead.  I bet you do much of the time also.  It's just the way I've programmed my brain and eyes over the years.  Most people pass up wonderful photographic opportunities because they don't really pay attention to their surroundings and have tunnel vision—they only look straight ahead.  (In today's violent world that can be dangerous as well)

In regards to pleasing color, look around you as the spring of the year develops.  If you think there is only color in the autumn, as I said, look all around you.  In my judgment, fall colors are more intense, "in your face" and demand attention but the colors of spring are pastels.  They sneak up on you and don't shout, "Hey, look at me!"  You have to take notice.  But they are there.  There is a difference between fall and spring, but beautiful color nonetheless.

If you have developed preconceived notions about life, photography or anything else, break that habit and open your mind and eyes to what you thought "isn't" because maybe it is.

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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