Interesting Foreground To Give Depth

Hi All

It comes to mind sometimes that when I take a photo I don't really get the feel that I am after.
It always seems to lack something or Subjects look to far away like mountains etc.

The first image I have is a plant that covers the whole frame practically and is one way of giving scale.
I realised this just did not work.

I like the image as far as the plant goes as you can see how far away the mountains are.

The second image has no foreground subject and to me it just looks lacking and not to interesting as you don't get that depth.

The image is interesting on the other hand because of that wonderful cloud that sits above the mountains.
Maybe I am a bit harsh!!! I must say I like the shadow from the cloud caught on the mountain on the right side of the photo.

The Third image is where I think it is most interesting.

The Plant on the right bottom of the frame gives a sense of scale and just how far away the mountains are.
Not a perfect fit but a more pleasing image all round for my liking.

All images were taken from the Island Brac looking towards the mainland of Croatia.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my blog and hope to see you again soon.

Vedran

Long Exposure Experiment

Hi All


Welcome to My Photographic Observations...


Today I have 3 examples of long exposure pictures that I am trying to get right.
Not being very knowledgeable I knew I needed a few things to enable me to get the effects that I wanted to achieve.
I needed to get a Neutral Density Filter and for my first I got a Lee Big Stopper which is a 10 stop Filter.
It is a very dark filter that enables you to set very long exposures.

The first example here I set up my tripod and camera took the meter readings and put on the Lee Big Stopper. It was an exposure of 2 minutes as was still plenty of sunlight around.
I framed it so you are looking from bottom left to right.
I wanted to smooth out the water and I think I achieved that.

The Second Photo I wanted to have more of the texture of the rocks and still wanted to smooth out the water. Which I got the effect I wanted and was pleased with.
At this stage I am still learning as it took a few attempts to get the exposures right.
It gets very tricky as you need to get the framing you want and then focus.
You must then put the autofocus to manual focus because ounce you put on the filter the camera starts looking for focus if left in autofocus.

The third photo I zoomed in to get more of the water but keep the rocks as the static subject.
I am having fun experimenting and is a great learning experience for me.
One thing I learnt is you must cover the viewfinder otherwise you get streaks of light coming in to ruin the photo.

I processed all in Lightroom and then converted to black and white in Nik Silver effex pro 2.

These are My Photographic Observations for now.
I hope you all enjoyed the read.

Vedran...

Lines And Shapes

Hi All

Welcome to my photographic observations.

My observations today dwell on black and white images and dealing with line and shape.

The first example is a gate which to me is interesting because if the lines, rectangles and shapes and did i mention the shadow as well.

Line And Shape

It is interesting to me because of the interaction between the image behind (shadow) and how it stands out.

The second image is interesting also because of the  patterns and the shapes and the lines and the bold strong lines of the main subject.

Bold Lines

Lastly I like this image because it has the pattern lines and curves but also the strength of the man that is in the middle.

Strength

All my images of course and they are in black and white because there are no distractions and you see the main form I want you to see.

These are my photographic observations and if you agree or disagree just leave any comments below.

Vedran

Pazar In Split

Hi All

Welcome to My Photographic Observations.

It has been a little while since my last post so start a new batch from today.
I am in Split Croatia and one of the things they have here is a Market Place commonly called Pazar.

You can buy any type of fruit and vegetables and nuts and all sorts of assortments...

Grandma Looking After Her Stall

The stalls are generally kept by the older generation mainly Mothers and Grandmothers
and work from early morning through to about mid afternoon.

Assortment Of Nuts And Beans

The assortment of goods is mind boggling as you can also get spices beans nuts and all sorts.

Plenty Of Colour Abounds 

The colour around the Pazar is plentiful as there are lots of red, green and a wide gamut.

It is a fairly big area covering approximately one hectare of space and now even covered from the sun and rain with big cafe umbrellas..

Oils And Liqueurs Can Be Bought

Even various of liqueurs and food colourings  and noodles can also be bought.
Very interesting is the place and always bubbling with activity.

These are my photographic observations for this week.
Thank you for having a look and any comments you might want to share, there is space below.

Vedran

Colour Or Black and White !!

Hi All,

Welcome to my photographic observations,


Today's observation how will I  choose between colour and black and white images.

This is something I always struggle with and I have a couple examples below.

This is a door and frame that I took a photo of in Split Croatia but could be anywhere.

As Taken In Camera

It is in colour and it looks quite good with all the texture and  oldness and it looks great. It is a basic yellowish, beige colour but none the less it is fine.

The second image has been converted to black and white and it also looks great to my eye.

Processed Black and White

I think both images look great but how would you decide on which you would choose.
Simple solution is to have a copy of each and let a person choose which he prefers.

These are my photographic observations, if you have any comments just put them down below.

Vedran

Amazing Wall Sculpture

Hi All,



Welcome to My Photographic Observations.

In Fremantle there is a little bit of graffiti in certain sections or there is other forms of art s or sculptures.
One particular place is the Norfolk Hotel which commissioned the Portuguese artist Vhils.
Vhils is known for digging into the surface of a building to create his sculptures.

He sculpted on the side of the building the face of the first Australian female Senator Dame Dorothy Tangney MBA

Dame Dorothy Tangney MBA

It is a wonderful piece of work and I wanted to show anyone who reads my blog. I am amazed how someone can get the impression of a face by chipping and hammering away at a brick wall.

The second image here is a look from the other side of the road to give you an idea of scale.

Side Of Norfolk Large Scale

It is quite big as you see and you have to marvel at the skill and complexity of this lovely wall sculpture.

I hope you enjoyed and make sure to come back to My Photographic Observations.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you so desire.

Vedran

Fisherwoman In Yellow

Hi All.

Welcome to My Photographic Observations.

Sometimes you come across a scene that you don't see everyday. I was in Supetar which is the main village on the Island Brac in Croatia.
I had my camera and was just sitting down while a cool breeze was blowing in the middle of summer.
I noticed what looked to be a family walking towards me and then they stopped and sat down.
It was a man and woman and a young girl who I assumed must have been a daughter.
The lady was dressed in yellow clothes which looked to have her swimwear.
I thought the lady was pretty so I took a photo.

Lady In Yellow

What happened next totally surprised me. I know I am old fashioned but the lady started talking to her husband and next thing that happens he gives her a collapsible fishing rod.
Within a couple of seconds she had put it together and was looking around for some bait. I had no idea what she used but she put it on to the hook and then cast out and was patiently reeling the line in.

Gone Fishing

While she was fishing her husband went to the shop and came back with a couple of beers and he sat back in the shaded area and was drinking.
Next thing you know I hear the young girl yelling out in some language I did not understand and I saw the lady in yellow reeling in quickly.
To my surprise she had caught a fish, I am not sure what type as am not familiar but it was a nice sized fish.

Caught Fish

She was proudly displaying the catch to her husband and daughter and then took it of the hook.
She was only fishing for fun and what happened after that was she told her daughter to give the the fish to an old lady who was sitting nearby. The old lady did not complain and put it in her plastic bag that she had her towel in.
This went on for about an hour and she must have caught about half a dozen fish. Meanwhile her husband was sitting back chugging back his beer. The old lady got the benefit of all the fish and she left with the biggest grin I had ever seen in my life.

These are My Photographic Observations for now. If you have any comments then please leave them down in the comments section. Good, Bad or Otherwise...

Vedran