Your cart is currently empty!
Lens-Artists Challenge #289 – Tools of Photo Composition
At the buzzer for this week’s challenge! This week’s challenge, presented by John, presents an opportunity to showcase examples of shape, form, texture, and light.
Some of the best examples of shape and form come often from architecture, and what better place to find them than in older churches and cathedrals, with their attention to detail, sweeping arches, and grand appearance.
The view from above the main hall in the historic Salisbury Cathedral.
The next two photos stood out to me as I glanced through hundreds of shots. Of course light is a powerful tool and the beauty of a sunrise to sunset would certainly fall into the ‘light’ category of the challenge. Afterall, we spend most of our time in photography chasing the perfect photonic proportions, don’t we? These images aren’t sweeping dramatic landscapes but the light pulled my attention. The first was an almost throwaway shot of some waterfowl in the waters of Reykjavik, Iceland. When I viewed the picture later, I was enamored with the way the light played off the surface of the small waves and the shadows and reflections of the birds as their wake spread out behind them creating similar, but smaller lighting effects in the water.
Admittedly, this image was at sunrise, but it was not a dramatic beach shot with a golden sun and splashes of purple. The retro-illumination of a small hare as it stood on guard in the early morning hours was striking to me. So much of the image is in shadow with the natural landscape giving an interesting shape to the darkened areas.
A small rabbit stands alert on the top of a ridge, backlit by the light of early dawn at Old Sarum in the United Kingdom.
The next two photos were my submissions for texture. The first was an attempt at focus-stacking, taken in a photography box. The smooth texture of the glass ball, coupled with the undulating colors and varied textures of the contents of the glass ball create interest and contrast in texture I found interesting.
I used 10 focus-stacked images to create this final product, shot in a lightbox with a 50mm lens.
In the image below, texture plays an important role in conveying the frigid temperatures. Combined with the blue colorations and the obvious appearance of frost, the texture evokes an instant recognition of what that level of cold feels like. The pop of color from the berries adds just a touch of interest and drama, as if the berries blossomed and were caught unaware by the sudden freeze.
Thank you for taking the time to read and enjoy my submissions. Click here to find out more about past and future Lens-Artists challenges.
Discover more from WeGoPhotos
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Comments
11 responses to “Lens-Artists Challenge #289 – Tools of Photo Composition”
You’ve hit the mark! I love the depth in the Salisbury Cathedral image. I also like the focus stacking of the glass ball. That’s a technique I’ve yet to try. Thanks for joining in the challenge this week.
Thank you John… I haven’t done a lot of focus stacking. I’m actually keen to try it in some low angle landscape shots next.
Glad you made it! I really enjoyed your photos, a bit of everything all so beautifully captured. Normally, the architecture shots would be my favourite but the rabbit wins this week 😀
Hippity hoppity! Thanks Sofia 🙂
What a terrific post, Patrick! These photos have captured such beauty. The second cathedral photo got me spending more time simply digesting each angle and curve. The focus stack was also amazing. I have to say, though, that the three ducks and light reflections are gorgeous and my favorite. Great post!
Egidio, I appreciate your comments and kindness! Thank you 🙂
It feels like a grand finale! The rabbit feels apropos with Easter on the horizon…too. It looks large sitting up there…just waiting. The architecture defined all four tools, and I enjoyed seeing one photo closer to the floor and the other high. To capture a monk! What a great “wait for it” moment. Different perspectives, different stories. I think my favorite this week is the frozen berries, and your words …”as if the berries blossomed, and were caught unaware.” Great examples for all of us to be inspired by. Thanks for coming along. Donna
I didn’t even make the Easter connection, unintentional but I’ll take it! Thanks very much Donna. 🙂
Welcome…
I love the abbey and the cathedral. Beautiful. And the rabbit made me smile.
Thank you, Marie. So glad my work made you smile!