In this blog I will exhibit the final images in my choice for Theme 2. The purpose of this theme was to discover and record the nature at Church Farm in the larger scale (compared to Theme 1). For this I planned to record images of the trees, birds and animals 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 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.
Dawn – 29th September 2011
This image has been cropped to remove the slightly distracting flowers in the foreground. The focal point of the image is now the open area looking out into the distance with the trees just visible through the mist. This ‘rectangular’ area gives a structure to the image. From here the eye is drawn to the half hidden sun and into the trees, and then round to the lower sections and back into the image. The overall effect is quite dreamlike and surreal. I have reduced the brightness by 10 points, but even so it is difficult to accept that this is an English autumnal scene. The colours subtly blend with each other but are never dull; the mist enhances the dreamlike quality.
I did try to remove the telephone cables within Photoshop, but decided that they were not detrimental to the image; in fact such alterations may have destroyed the quality of the image. In addition the purpose of all these photos is eventually to provide personal and visual memories – and believe me the telephone cables are associated with many memories! This is one of my favourite images.
Late Afternoon Trees – 13th November 2011
This image has been minimally cropped from the original; I have increased the vibrance by 20 points and saturation by 5 points, and applied a mild warming filter (81). This has increased the overall warm tones (reds and oranges) of the picture in an image that is dominated by (cold) blues. As explained in a previous blog the sky was beginning to have a slightly pink tinge at this time and this was my reason for trying to capture the image.
The image itself is very stark, with the leafless trees contrasting dramatically to the cloudless sky. The vertical lines of the tress enhance this effect and aid the composition of the picture; the lines move the eye upward, but the tangle of branches at the top move the eye round, and thence back into the picture.
The bold outlines of the trees led me to consider transforming the picture to a black and white image. However the lack of bright light on the individual trees meant the image produced was rather flat (see later blog comparing this image to others), whereas the blue sky gives a beauty and contrast of its own. I believe this image works well, and would be suitable to print for an exhibition, or use as a smaller print in a calendar or book.
Nuthatch – 4th December 2012
This image was produced using wireless remote control and manual focussing that was preset. As such it is a lottery whether the bird will be in focus – an inch one way or the other can be crucial. In this shot the bird is in perfect focus; the eye is clear and bright, as is the beak and peanut which provide a ‘wow’ factor for this image.
The image has been cropped to make the bird the total focus. The body fills the centre of the image with the eye being placed deliberately at the Rule of Thirds intersection. The background branches are sufficiently out of focus not to distract, and since they run parallel to the bird they enhance the composition. Also of interest to me is the fact that I think this might be a juvenile – his tummy colouring is not perfect. I know another nuthatch visits the garden (with perfect colouring) and for my memories this will personalise this bird forever. I am delighted with this photo – another definite favourite.
Taken at ISO 400 and with large cropping this image may not be perfect for exhibition at A3 size – I would need to print to check, but certainly at 10 x 8 inches or in a smaller format this image could be printed or published.
House Sparrows – 30th December 2011
As stated in a previous blog I do not apologise for including a photo of the humble house sparrow. This image has been minimally cropped so that each bird lies on an intersection of a Rule of Thirds, and the contrast has been enhanced by 15 points. The colours are complementary, and the out of focus background adds interest. I was concerned that the straight lines of the pergola might detract from the image, but being slightly out of focus this is not the case – its weathered look adds to the effect. The birds are not looking at the camera. This is not perceived wisdom, as a bird looking out of an image takes the viewer’s eye also out of the image. In this instance though the fact that they appear to be looking at each other keeps the eye within the frame – indeed it adds to the interest of the photo by its interaction. Immediately we wonder – are they communicating?
The strength of this photograph lies in its perspective – by looking down on the birds. This is something we humans seldom achieve so it opens new perspectives to us.
This image is a definite favourite – it is slightly out of the ordinary. As a memento it succeeds 100%, as I believe it does in its story. It could be exhibited or printed in a book, calendar or other smaller format.
Robin – 31st December 2011
This photo has been minimally cropped to A3 size, but required some enhancement in Photoshop. I increased the brightness by 20 points, and also applied some sharpening to the image (see separate blog).
This is a classic image of a robin – eye contact is good, jaunty head and good colouration. I have placed the head and eye at a Rule of Thirds intersection. The feeder and its supporting chains provide a circular route for the eye to follow and keep in the photo – drawing you back to the bird. The colours work well together and the out of focus green background ensures a natural feel to the photo to counteract the obvious ‘man made’ influence of the feeder.
The photograph could be improved – better light, slightly closer and better focus for the bird. However for a photograph taken on December 31st this is very good. I would not exhibit this photo, but am more than happy to use in a smaller format such as previously described.
Greenfinch – 31st December 2011
This photo is another favourite of mine. The finch is in perfect focus, looking straight at the lens and looking very challenging. (They are very argumentative birds!). It has been minimally cropped, but is otherwise unaltered from the original.
Many of the comments for the previous image – background, circle of view can be applied to this image – the viewing area and settings are identical. However this image is better: Not only is the bird in perfect focus, but is positioned almost centrally – he is definitely the ‘centre’ of attention. The subtle contrasts of yellows and greens of the bird and the background are excellent, as is the contrasting texture of the soft bird’s feathers and breast compared to the metal feeder. The simplicity of the image is its great strength – a simple story of a greenfinch visiting a garden feeder. Its choice as a memento is essential.
This image can obviously be used in a small format of a book, calendar etc. It is being displayed in an exhibition of College work in 16 x 12 inch format in February - its simplicity is enhanced in this larger format. Paul Strand’s vision for photography was to stay true to the subject, and I believe in this image I have attained that.
Great Tit – 2nd January 2012
This image has been cropped to remove the hanging rope of the feeder. Additionally I have increased the brightness by 15 points and the contrast by 8 points to freshen the image slightly.
This photo compares favourably with those of Steve Young. The bird is well focussed with good eye contact, and details of its feathers and feet can be clearly seen. However the aim is not to produce an image in a gazetteer, but one with a story to tell of the garden – this being the regular visits of great tits to the garden feeders. The body of the bird is situated centrally; the log draws the eye upwards, but the slightly out of focus leaf in the top right hand brings the eye back into the image. The contrasting textures are also essential – the soft bird, the smooth bark, rough suet and the lush greenery in the background.
This is another favourite image of mine. It could be exhibited or printed in a smaller format. It shows a narrow area of focus so that the birds are central to the image with little cropping which has proved to be a successful technique.
Birds Feeding on Suet Balls – 15th January 2012
This photo has been severely cropped to focus on the 2 birds. I have increased the brightness by 26 points and the contrast by 23 points.
My aim with this photo was to capture some of the social aspect of the birds’ behaviour at the feeders – they eat peacefully together, they squabble so that none can eat; they wait patiently, they chase each other away; plus many other activities.
The eye is initially drawn to the colour of the blue tit, to the pale suet balls and then to the tree sparrow. From there the eye may move up or down the branch, but either way it meets an intersecting branch which pulls you back to the suet balls. Similarly if you follow the pale line of the suet balls you meet a branch which will take you back in the loop to the sparrow.
As it is cropped the background is far less distracting than in the original image, and the greens of the background foliage enable the sparrow to be clearly visible. There are several contrasting textures; metal feeder and suet balls, soft birds and hard beaks, smooth bark and prickly hawthorn. Finally there is the aspect of the birds; the blue tit appears to be pausing in its feeding to look at the lens (and you), whereas the sparrow appears to be positively glaring at you!
This is a fine image of which I am proud. In the future a similar shot with more accurate focus could be attempted, especially with the improved light of spring of summer. This should enable fast shutter speeds to be used to allow capture of the birds’ movement.
This image may struggle to be exhibited at A3 size because of its severe cropping, but is certainly one for a smaller format to portray common birds feeding on a typical winter’s day.
Blackbird feeding on the ground – 16th January 2012
This image has been severely cropped; it has also had its brightness increased by 16 points and its contrast by 10 points. In doing so I have transformed a very dull and ordinary image into a good image of a blackbird.
Since ground feeding birds tend to hop around whilst feeding it was necessary to have a wide area of focus. However despite this limitation I have produced an image which I shall certainly use. The bird is in perfect focus. The eye is also focussed and the fact that the bird is looking out of the photo is not detrimental. Quite to the contrary – this shows a blackbird in its most characteristic pose; watching, waiting and listening. These birds stay like this for several seconds, often before the beak moves down to dig out a worm. This is the story of the photo – the pose I have seen so often in the garden.
The colours although not bright do not blend into a monotonous whole. The blacks and browns contrast to the hints of bright green of the grass; and within the blackbird the shades of black can be clearly seen. Of particular interest is the contrasting textures – seeds, fallen leaves, living grass, soft bird and spindly legs, and of course the concrete kerb – placing the scene immediately in a garden rather than a forest.
This image may not succeed at A3 size – the black may highlight graininess, however its structure and composition make this an image well worth displaying in this folio and printing in a smaller format.
This image has been cropped but is otherwise unaltered from the original image. As I suspected the sunshine has brought this photo to the life.
Many of the comments about the previous image are true, but this image has extra properties. The sunlight brings the colour of the pigeon to vivid life; just as it enhances the texture of its feathers. Exceptionally clear is the head. The eye is bright, in focus, looking at the lens and also into the image. Also in focus is the beak, and this image shows clearly its vivid colours.
As with the sparrow the pigeon is not a popular bird, and within the garden this is particularly true. This image shows how beautiful these birds are, and it portrays an image of stately grace for the pigeon. The pigeons are common visitors to the garden and so should be part of my final collection of garden memories.
This image I feel is good enough to be both exhibited at A3 size, and also printed in a smaller format. It is another favourite with me – especially since the subject is slightly unusual.
Grey Squirrel – 16th January 2012
This is the final image of my selection for this theme. The image has been cropped and I have increased the vibrance by 15 points, saturation by 10 points and brightness by 20 points. In a previous blog I have explained why I chose a landscape crop rather than portrait.
This is another favourite image. The squirrel’s eye is at an intersection of the Rule of Thirds, with the body and tail filling most of the central area. The colours of the squirrel are bright and well displayed, especially the whiteness of his tummy (how does he keep that clean?). The colours of the leaves are complementary with the green grass providing a contrast. Similarly there is a wide range of textures – soft fur of the body, coarser fur of the tail, nuts, decaying leaves and twigs and the living grass. Best of all is the pose – eating calmly, yet fully alert – appearing to watch you as the viewer but ready to move to safety immediately if necessary.
This image could be displayed in A3 or smaller format. In a separate blog I compare this to one by Heather Angel. This image of mine is the one I prefer. To me it tells a completely natural and true story. Squirrels will come into the garden and feed, they will allow you sometimes to walk towards them, but always they are alert to any danger and ready to run. This is the image of this photo, and portraying this I believe that I have again mirrored the precept of natural photography spoken of by Paul Strand.
In Conclusion
More of these images have required enhancement than in Theme 1. My aim is to keep Photoshop work to a minimum – cropping for printing and little more. Unfortunately late autumn and winter does not present the best light, and this has been a limitation in my work. However I have shown that even with this limitation good work can be produced. I have learnt a new technique for taking photos of wildlife. By using wireless remote triggering of the shutter I can ‘shoot’ the shy and sensitive visitors to my garden. With increased use my technique will improve, so that I will be able to focus tighter onto the birds and animals, and thus minimise cropping of images. Similarly the increasing light of spring and summer will allow faster shutter speeds, allowing an increased variety of shots to especially include the birds landing and taking off from their perches.
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