What a wonderful world
It’s wonderful to know that we all see the world differently based on our experiences. This means that when we take photographs, our experiences lead us to focus on specific details. We don’t always realise this but also our expectations and opinions, have an influence on how we look at things. Unfortunately sometimes our stereotype beliefs prevent, us from being more imaginative and creative. It’s the unsure feeling of thinking that what you are photographing might not be good enough or not according to the rules of the art.
“The beginning is perhaps more difficult than anything else, but keep heart, it will turn out all right.”
― Vincent van Gogh
Contrasts and effects
When I did a course on interior design, I realised how, when I was being made aware and learn about certain materials and their uses, I was able to think more about how these different types of materials could be used together, in contrast with one another to create wonderful effects. For example; the cold shiny effect of steel together with the warm feel of wood. Here the textures as well as colour plays a role. It is a fact that we also see colour based on our reality and it is without a doubt also a product of our minds. It is known that Vincent van Gogh told his brother that he can see twenty-seven different shades of grey.
What I only recently realised was that those studies now have an impact on what I seem to notice certain things when I’m taking photographs. I these contrasting effects very interesting especially when it comes to textures and shapes. Without me realising this, I am automatically drawn to these types of scenes. I always notice textures, shapes and colour, sometimes in the moment of taking the shot, or sometimes afterwards when I look at the photograph.
What caught my eye when I took this photograph, was the wood of the tree against the steel and stone. Here it almost looks as if the tree is growing out of the stone. I also liked the reflection of the tree and the clouds in the steel panels.
The colours of the stone wood and sky is reflected in the steel which I thought made for a very interesting effect. look at the wonderful shadow patterns on the stone from the branches of the tree. All theses elements and contrasts attracted me to take this photograph.
“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”
― Vincent Van Gogh
Looking at the content
I realise that my photographs would not pass a photographic test or competition. I like to think that what I put in my frame is what I find interesting and chances are that there will be someone looking at them who would see the content rather than the technical aspects. In a way it’s true that how we judge a photo is also based on what we see. Just as we look at the world influenced by our experiences, so are we looking at photographs too.
“I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.”
― Vincent Van Gogh
Perfectly imperfect
Learning is an ongoing process and the more we apply what we learn, the easier it is to get it right. Maybe all the hours of watching photography tutorials, reading about lighting and visual effects and going out to shoot, will be part of the experiences to make me see the world around me in a different way. I believe every photographer has something to show and something to tell, and maybe we should not be over critical of photographs and discard what we think are not technically right. Sometimes the sweetest fruit are not the perfect shape.
“I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people approve or disapprove.”
― Vincent Van Gogh
I liked the contrasting effect of the old buildings of Vienna, being reflected in a modern architectural style. Here also form creates the contrasts that I so love.
The feminine figures are here in contrast with the rectangle shapes of the windows. It feels like masculine and feminine contrast. I like the brass ornament above this feminine figure. This again is the lovely effect of stone, concrete, wood, glass and copper.