Pages

Monday, February 28, 2011

San Miguel de Allende

I know you were expecting photos. Well so am I.  We are heading of the this lovely place for the month of March.  I am quite excited about it as its my first trip where I leave a cold snowy environment and head to some place where its hot.

The interesting part is that I will connect with some old high school friends from Kingston as well as some bloggers both from photography and painting mediums.

My carry on bag is a backpack loaded with camera equipment.  A 18-200mm VR zoom for general purpose work. A 10-20MM Wide angel for crowed  streets. A 90mm Macro because you never know what you will find when you bend down or get too close to something. A 50mm f1.8 for evening work. SB800 flash and a 15” laptop computer.

The Tripod is in the suitcase.

I know I bring too much but I just hate not having the tools when needed. Sometimes the shot just doesn’t come around a second time.

The series on compositional elements is on hold till I get back. I hope to post some interesting images of this old town.

If any of you are also down there, give a shout maybe even a walk-about.

Niels Henriksen

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Composition – Vertical Lines


I had initially thought that I would split up the vertical elements into 2 parts, but on reflection I wasn't sure how this feature is used and I didn't have any clear images for the singular vertical line.
Vertical lines run down to up or is it the other way around, up to down.  Most of our perceptions derive from nature and in nature we see vertical movement as growth. That did get me wondering whether there are times that we do view a vertical element in the downward direction.

Vertical lines  naturally tend to create emotions of
growth
newness
uplifting
spiritual

The photo itself, because of the border or edge, will modify or accentuate linear type elements.
Even in fashion vertical lines are known for their slimming effects.

As you can observe in the above photograph, the portrait format helps to re-enforce the perceived length of the long slender leaves.  Long slender items can appear frail and wispy and with the added curves at tips seem to be searching (movement) for light. The main design component in the images are triangles even in the negative spaces.

With the frame of an image, vertical lines can also create feelings  of
dominance or submissiveness (depending whether the lines are the main subject)
increased height
grandeur
strength
power
scale


Vertical lines can be used to give a sense of depth to the image and are very easily recognized within  scenes.


The above image of a train bridge is actually a negative, as this version creates more sense of depth.
The negative image creates mystery thereby, creates some viewer attention as they try to comprehend how the light and dark patterns fit together, with their understanding of real world objects.

Vertical lines are key in cityscapes, especially where tall structures are involved. Multi vertical lines do create the same effect of separation and therefore can express
permanence
separation (barriers)
tension
(result of being held back)

While photographing Toronto cityscapes from a high vantage point, I saw interesting vertical patterns in the image below.


The white lines create a rigid static structure with the windows providing diverging interest by having, at first glance, each pair different. It`s only on closer inspection that you notice the 3-D nature from the dark reflective sides that run diagonally across photo.


I wanted a sense of grand, mystical and forgotten era with the bench scene.
With the use of a wide angle lens, I am able to increase apparent height in the bench.  Here, all the vertical lines and angle of shot create the floating feeling and serene setting. The early morning and yellow green glow of spring add a dream-like quality.


The vertical lines and cropping do create an effect of dominance by the blue office tower.  The rust colour of the steeple and fall foliage (enhanced) create image contrast with its old world charm. The last holdout against unstoppable advancement of civilization.




Niels Henriksen

Like

Related Posts with Thumbnails