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| Level, squared up and symmetrical. I think I've developed those characteristics as one aspect of my vision. Hmmm. (click to enlarge) |
I have this thing about symmetry, vertical lines being vertical, horizontal lines being horizontal and things being squared up in my photographs. Especially anything manmade. I wonder if it has to do with my (former behavior of) perfectionism, a bit of OCD perhaps, or just being very picky (quirky?) about my photographs?
Going back and looking at a large number of my images I found that I composed many of them in a symmetrical fashion, if possible, and when not possible I utilized my editing program to create images that are symmetrical mostly by cropping. Asymmetry rubs me the wrong way. Unfortunately for me, there isn't a lot of symmetry in the real world. Add to that, I don't like vertical lines, such as building edges, poles, trees or other like objects leaning. No! They need to be straight up and down.
Additionally, I like horizontals being horizontal. I'm not talking about horizons, but of course, I could not fathom an image with a slightly out of horizontal horizon. Thank goodness for the level gauge in my cameras' viewfinders! If a horizontal line is slightly askew, I attack it and make it horizontal. I'm not sure exactly why but none of this sits well with me.
I agree with what your thinking. This is all ridiculous. I know but I can't help it. It's just me and how I 'want' to see the world.
All that said, most of my images are of nature and there are few true verticals or horizontals naturally created. I find those okay. Okay? Yep. Everything chaotic in nature is perfectly okay with me. But not manmade objects.
So now you know about my photographic quirkiness. I guess I may one day have to attend a meeting and introduce myself by saying, "I'm Dennis and I'm a quirky photographer." Let's hope my weirdness doesn't come to that. lol.
Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
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This resonates with me. As one who once concentrated photo efforts on architecture, lines had to be properly oriented. To make a long story short, I discovered the hard way that expensive view cameras (Sinar P, Linhof Technikardan) sometimes had alignment issues. The levels weren't level or the standards weren't parallel when the vernier was set to 0 degrees. Old wooden cameras like my Ansco 8x10 were way out. I also learned the slightest misalignment would make a premium lens act like a dud. I purchased the Zig Align tool kit to properly align cameras and their levels. I currently use it to align my copy camera setup for making digital copies of old film originals. I assume the Zig Align is still available or someone could easily make one at home with an acrylic mirror drill and lens step ring.
ReplyDeleteSide note: IMHO photographers I have known are all a bit quirky (or eccentric), especially me. I think it stems from the left side v. right side of the brain functions when artistic impressions have to be balanced with a fairly precise craft. I have considerable experience with watchmakers/jewelers through my marriage. Those folks are really, really quirky. My Father-in-law told me "It's a known fact that to be in this business you have to be half crazy to start with".
Thank you for your comment and story. Very interesting. Also, I’m happy to know I may not be the only quirky photographer out there in the world! lol. ~Dennis
DeleteIt is very disconcerting when I load pictures and find that some are not level. I cannot blame it on digital cameras because I did not see this problem until several years ago. I then thought that it must be my new camera that had a problem. The level indicator has seemed to help some but I never had this problem with film. Maybe I had a vision problem? But the doctor could not find a problem. Oh well, it was consoling that other photographers had the same problem. Thank goodness for Photoshop. As I was relating this occurrence to my wife, she looked into my eyes and said maybe the problem is that you are 74. No one likes a smart xss.
ReplyDeleteLarry, funny you should write what you did. I can say the same thing. Either I didn’t recognize crooked horizons or I didn’t have a problem in the old film days either. Of course if we have non-horizontal horizons in our current images we could always use the excuse that we are mimicking Gary Winogrand’s style! Ya, that’s the story. We are just trying to emulate Gary Winogrand! lol. Thanks for commenting. ~Dennis (P.S. I’m 72 so you have a couple of years on me.)
DeleteI am funny about symmetry! Lines have to be right!
ReplyDelete