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| This is from a screenshot from my 15" laptop computer to illustrate the various compositions I made of the walking path shown in my last post. |
When I see something that peaks my photographic eye and grabs my attention, ninety-nine times out of one hundred I will stop to see what images I can make. I bet many of you do the same.
The first image I make is usually the composition that originally caught my eye. Once getting that initial impression out of the way, instead of packing up and moving on, I will typically move around the scene, look at it from different angles, different distances, from different heights, examine detail up very closely and with different perspectives to see if there are other, even more pleasing compositions that I might be missing. From there I usually make a number of other exposures. It is not unusual to use different focal lengths on a zoom lens, switching lenses altogether or manipulating depth of field. In other words, I use all the tools available to me to create my images. This is what I call ‘working the scene.’
Here is my problem. I’m pretty good at finding and capturing interesting images, but I don’t think I’m very good at choosing which composition is best. The image at the top of this post is an example of what I mean.
This screenshot represents the variety of compositions I made of a local walking trail, with eye-catching S-curves, that I photographed on last Saturday’s foggy morning. I had a devil of a time trying to decide which variation was most pleasing to my eye. Many are very close in composition but there are subtle differences that distinguish each from the others.
Often times, I find myself conflicted over which composition I should choose. As I said, I’m just not very good at it. Compound that with any specific choice being very personal so you might choose a different composition than me. In the case of this walking path I like them all. But I'm sure each of us will have a different preference for different personal reasons. I finally chose one and included it in last week’s blog post. The positive side to this is I now have a variety of images from which to choose in the future if need be.
Back to the conundrum. For any given series of images which composition is the better or the best one? Is there a better or best one and what are the criteria for determining so? What are the rules? In my mind, the overarching rule is the image I like best. But then again I’m not sure which one I like best. See what I mean? Have you found yourself in this kind of dilemma?
In the end, even if it causes conflict in choice, I think it is better to 'work a scene' than to just make a single exposure from a single point of view with a single perspective. Doing that, you are shortchanging yourself.
Again, I’ll refer back to the paradox of choice when too many choices degrade the experience. The down side is having to choose, the upside is having to choose.
Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
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Hi Dennis. I agree wholeheartedly. "The down side is having to choose." Yes, most things that are worthwhile take effort and time. You have to do the work. "The upside is having to choose." The up side is that you have a choice. You have the luxury of choice, rather than no choice but one.
ReplyDeleteI understand those who might say that a single frame is the ultimate destination, that their skill set, both technical and artistic, are good enough. They enjoy the challenge of getting the frame right the first time, so to speak.
There is plenty of room in the photographic universe for all of our diversity, all of our methods and preferences. Being an old guy (well, relatively) I shoot continuous low because it helps with my less than steady hands. 4 fps max. The Nikon Z f shutter button is nicely tuned so that I can squeeze off 1 or 2 shots with regularity. I explore the scene in this way, as you say, with any and all tools I might have with me,
We all like choices. The photographer that says that one shot should be enough has made a choice. Maybe I look at time differently, but if I find an interesting (promising) scene than I will take the time up front in my (sometimes vain) attempt to see and absorb what it is about it that drew my attention. Perhaps we all need to slow down, look, look again, change something, and look again.
Yes, yes, I know. A wedding or event photographer has very little time for this mode of operation but their choices have been formed by many hours of looking, seeing what works. They still make choices, but those have been formed through what works and what doesn't.
The event photographer is making choices that produce results, sometimes at a frenetic pace. You and I have the luxury of exploration, of discovery, of reaching out with our eyes and minds to solve the puzzle that is before us with the tools we carry. The technical and the art. What a great hobby, or great profession, photography is. All of us that practice it experience the joy that comes from the melding of our experiences and knowledge to produce that frame that gives us satisfaction, that rewards our attention to details. Washed in the artistry that each of us so uniquely possess.
Bad experience creates wisdom. But only if you take the time to absorb the lesson. Visit your failures so you don't repeat them.
Stay vertical Dennis. Once again, too long. I have to stop drinking coffee and then visiting your blog. ;-)
Love your comments Al. Keep them coming coffee or no coffee! ~Dennis
DeleteThe good thing is, with the above images, is that there is no bad choice in the group, they are all potential keepers, but just different. You only have to please yourself, so make a choice that jumps out at you today, and if you feel different next week, pick a different one.
ReplyDeleteGo with your gut. You can't lose.
Thank you Mike. Also, I agree 100%. Whichever you like best is the right choice. ~Dennis
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