In this blog I will exhibit the final images in my choice for Theme 1. The purpose of this theme was to discover and record the nature at Church Farm by producing close up images of all aspects of the garden. The time available to produce this folio was from early September 2011 to end of January 2012 i.e. through autumn and early winter. The choice of images reflects this time limitation in that there are no images of flowers in full bloom, nor butterflies and insects feeding on pollen. The photos will be shown in the time order that they were taken to reflect the change of season.
The original images have been shown in the previous blog, together with details of the camera settings used and reasons why. For each image I shall explain initially the changes that I may have made to the photo concluding with my reason for choosing this particular image.
All images have been cropped to an A3 format – 420 x 297 mm.
Honeysuckle – 25th September 2011
This photograph was taken early in the module following a brief rain shower – around 4pm. My aim was to obtain a focussed image of the flower with the raindrops acting as a contrast. The light was good (not sunny) but the original image proved to be a little dull and lacking in interest. However the focussing was perfect, with the rain drops being beautifully clear. I decided to crop the image and brighten it in Photoshop – which I did by increasing the vibrance by 23 and increasing the brightness by 15 points. The aim with these modifications was to produce an image with more ‘life’ and colour to it, yet maintaining its natural effect.
Cropping the photo has subtly accentuated certain aspects – the 2 central flowers are within the central area, and the leaves to the right and front of them remain in focus to enable the eye to follow the image round, rather than deviate to the edges. The background is sufficiently in focus to retain an interest, whilst not proving a distraction. The colours complement and are natural, and give a subtle, natural and relaxing effect. I believe that this photo compares favourably to that of Steve Young (see separate blog) and could be printed successfully as a framed image for display, in a book or as a calendar image.
Spider’s Web – 29th September 2011
This is one of my favourite images produced for this module. The original image has been cropped to A3 size, but is otherwise unaltered. The dominant effect is one of colour – shades of red and orange with the pale yellow coloured dead flower heads as a contrast. I have cropped the image such that the hole in the web is in the central area, and the circular area of the web ensures that the eye is not allowed to stray within the image. This is reinforced strongly by the roughly circular arrangement of the flower heads.
This image has been printed at 16 x 12 inches and framed for exhibition, which proved most satisfying. It was also printed in the ‘Burton Mail’ (28/1/12) to highlight an exhibition of course work (see separate blogs). It would be suitable to be used in printed book or calendar form, or on a web page on the Internet.
Caterpillar – 3rd October 2011
This image has had a more severe crop. I have placed the black mark on the caterpillar’s back at a Rule of Thirds intersection. I felt that this was the limit of the cropping – at ISO 800 graininess would begin to appear on the caterpillar’s black colouring, and the slow shutter speed would also become apparent.
Several enhancements were made in Photoshop. The photo was rather over exposed, so I reduced the brightness by 10 points. The image felt rather ‘cold’ so I also applied a ‘warming filter’ – 85, which is the warmest available, to give a depth of colour to the background bark without making the reds of the caterpillar too vivid and unnatural. By doing this the texture of the bark was enhanced to contrast with that of the caterpillar. The caterpillar is crawling out of the picture, which could be a criticism. However a) I could not control its direction of movement and b) the knot of the bark at the top left hand corner also acts as a ‘brake’ and the eye is enticed back into the picture.
This photo could not be exhibited for reasons explained, but in the format of a book, small print or calendar would be quite delightful.
Seed Pods – 3rd October 2011
This is another image that has been minimally cropped with no further enhancements in Photoshop. The vivid colours of the seeds immediately attract your attention, and I have placed these at an intersection of a Rule of Thirds. The second seed pod fills the central area, and the lines of the leaves help to keep the eye within the photo. The textures are also interesting, with dying leaves contrasting to those still green and living, and the unopened seed pod contrasting to that of the opening pod with its dying cover but vibrant and colourful seeds.
This is an image that could successfully be exhibited, plus being suitable for thee smaller formats mentioned previously. I like it very much indeed, and it is typical of the images I am now aware of within the garden as I begin to ‘see’ more.
Fallen Leaves – 12th November 2011
This is another favourite image of mine. Each September the leaves of the Virginia Creeper turn to most vivid shades of red. This image is of the fallen leaves of the creeper – the image conveys to me the wonder of autumn with its beautiful shades of colour. The image is one of colour and texture of leaves and stems in all stages of decomposition and death, yet with the raindrops contrasting to give an image of future life.
The photograph has been minimally cropped to an A3 size. The two red leaves provide the instant attraction and are both positioned at intersections of the Rule of Thirds. Everything leads to the centre and a dark area above the right hand red leaf which is quite dark and unknown – what is behind there?
This image could be exhibited or printed in a smaller format – book, calendar, snap shoot photo.
Barn Roof – 12th November 2011
As explained in a previous blog I have gone through a cycle of rejection and acceptance with this image. When I composed the shot I hoped to achieve a colourful but unusual image, viewing autumn from a fresh perspective. This I believe I have achieved. The shot was taken with unavoidable branches of a tree between the camera and object, and I tried several aperture settings to vary the depth of field. This is the most successful having the branch as soft and blurred as to be no distraction, but indeed to enhance the image with a hint of puzzlement.
This photo has been analysed in a previous blog. The cropping has been minimal for this final image. I believe that the interest of this photo lies in:
· Its complementary but wide ranging colours
· The play of light on the leaves towards the top of the image
· Its variety of textures
· The out of focus branch at the front
· The in focus branch at the top – coming from where?
· The lack of focus at the edges
· The unusual perspective – there are no clues to suggest a roof
Upon consideration I consider this to be a most successful and pleasing photo. It will be suitable for exhibition, or in a smaller format.
Leaves and Moss – 12th November 2011
This is another photo that has merely been cropped and not enhanced within Photoshop and my aim was to portray autumn. There is a wide variety of textures portrayed which is its great strength. This is complemented by a subtle combination of colours, all of which portray the various stages of autumn – life through to death and decay. The red berry at top left is vital as it is the brightest spot which initially draws the eye, from where you can move round and through the image to discover the intricate subtleties within.
This image is less dramatic than the previous two taken on the same day. Nevertheless it successfully conveys its message of autumn. As with the other images taken on 12th November it can be displayed within an exhibition, or on a smaller scale. The common factor for all 3 images is the quality of the afternoon autumn light, enhancing the colours and enabling a low ISO setting to be used – thus reducing graininess, especially in larger images.
Beech Hedge – 12th November 2011
This is the final image taken on 12th November. The beech hedge is a favourite structure within the garden. Throughout the year it provides colour – green through spring and summer, browns through autumn and winter. In addition it provides shelter for many garden birds.
This is a beautiful shot portraying the change from one season to another. The foreground is in perfect focus enabling the eye to see the greens and browns of summer and autumn, and the changing texture of the leaves which accompanies this. The depth of field is small so that the remainder of the hedge is visible, but out of focus and no distraction.
What I believe makes this composition work is the placement of the lower green leaves at an intersection of the Rule of Thirds together with the perfectly focussed branch, the lower branch at the right which prevents the eye from leaving the photo and the slightly out of focus upper branch which again draws the eye back into the photo.
As a photograph I believe this is entirely successful. It is more subtle and less direct than previous images, but nevertheless conveys its message well. It could be exhibited or used in a small scale format. As a memento of a favourite feature it is completely successful.
Toadstools – 13th November 2011
This is another image of autumn, but it also compares the order of the growing toadstools to the chaos which surrounds them. There is a contrast in colours – greens, golds and browns; textures – thin growing grass and dead leaves, toadstools and endogenous weeds; and order – the growth of toadstools towards light and production of spores versus decaying leaves and rampant and chaotic leaves.
The focus is good throughout the photo with a wider aperture of f/11 being used. This was essential since the toadstools themselves had much depth and the surrounding chaos is part of the total story and image. The dark recesses hint that there is more to find. However to achieve this ISO 800 and a slow shutter speed were required. For this reason the photo might not be better exhibited (risk of graininess) but certainly would be highly successful in a smaller print size.
Frosted Berries – 14th January 2012
Taken some two months after the previous photos this proves to be a wonderful image of English winter – a heavy morning frost. These Berberis berries are a great favourite of mine, and this image successfully captures two aspects of the garden for me – the berries and the winter. This was my aim and I feel I have successfully achieved this.
In many ways it is a classical photo of winter and I shall compare it to professionally published images in a separate blog. The depth of field is small but the focus is accurate and precise. The lack of focus draws the eye into the photo – what is further into the bush? The colours are delightful as are the contrasting textures. The branches in the foreground provide the initial focus which draws the eye into the photo, where the lines of the branches and berries keep the eye interested.
This is another of my favourite photographs. It succeeds in its message. It could successfully be exhibited, plus the smaller scale format would be acceptable.
In Conclusion these are the final 10 images for this portfolio.
