Lance Lewin
November 2023 - Sculptured in Nature
About the Image(s)
Part of my Intimate with Nature series of work ... digitally registered with a 50mm and composed through the viewfinder.
The use of the cameras Dof button really helps as a creative tool ... a prime technique most film cameras users enjoyed before the onset of the digital revolution and its film-less cameras that eliminated this very useful/creative camera dynamic.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
Lance, I love the combination of tone and texture in your intriguing image this month. At first I was bothered by the narrow DOF, but quickly realized you used this with intent (I should know better by now that nothing you do is "by accident"!). The strong leading line of the vine combined with the out-of-focus top and bottom draw the eye immediately to the center of sharpness to appreciate all the details.
The other thing I noticed and never before contemplated, is how you used DOF blur at the top of the frame to negate the brightness. Normally, the eye goes to the brightest part of an image, but in this case the blur stops the eye to keep focus on the portion of the image that is sharp. I think if the bright area were sharply in focus, the brightness + sharpness would draw the eye out of the frame. A clever technique indeed!
As to your lament about modern cameras not being able to preview DOF, you are only partially correct. Most higher end mirrorless cameras have what is called "Live View" where the DOF can be previewed. My new Sony a7cR has that feature. I do miss, however, the tactile experience of pushing that DOF preview button and feeling the iris close or open. Posted: 11/01/2023 10:47:33
The other thing I noticed and never before contemplated, is how you used DOF blur at the top of the frame to negate the brightness. Normally, the eye goes to the brightest part of an image, but in this case the blur stops the eye to keep focus on the portion of the image that is sharp. I think if the bright area were sharply in focus, the brightness + sharpness would draw the eye out of the frame. A clever technique indeed!
As to your lament about modern cameras not being able to preview DOF, you are only partially correct. Most higher end mirrorless cameras have what is called "Live View" where the DOF can be previewed. My new Sony a7cR has that feature. I do miss, however, the tactile experience of pushing that DOF preview button and feeling the iris close or open. Posted: 11/01/2023 10:47:33
The essence of these types of compositional style are visualized via several notions within Chinese and Japanese aesthetics.
Here, comprised of visual effects that offer a less-than-clear view of the World around us: something Matisse spoke about regarding his Impressionistic canvases.
In summary, the canvas invites deeper contemplation, and most important, reveal to the viewer the images Gestalt, rather that identifying (only) certain portions/aspects of the visual art.
Hope this brings clarity and more focus on how (you) are "appreciating" the work. Thanks Michael! Posted: 11/05/2023 05:04:35
Here, comprised of visual effects that offer a less-than-clear view of the World around us: something Matisse spoke about regarding his Impressionistic canvases.
In summary, the canvas invites deeper contemplation, and most important, reveal to the viewer the images Gestalt, rather that identifying (only) certain portions/aspects of the visual art.
Hope this brings clarity and more focus on how (you) are "appreciating" the work. Thanks Michael! Posted: 11/05/2023 05:04:35
Indeed! Posted: 11/05/2023 09:09:26
Lance, is that a print ? or digital scan of of the negative then edited ? It is a very intimate picture and the texture of the round leaves in the centerline is very interesting. reminds me of Georgia O'kceeffe Posted: 11/07/2023 08:04:15
No, Adi ... this was digitally exposed at F/3.2 at native ISO-100. I very carefully focused/framed the subject using as small an aperture as possible w/ISO-100: Note for this exposure/subject, I did not want to dial in a higher ISO .. just because, but suffered slightly with a 1/25sec speed while I was bracing on a deck rail at a recent mountain retreat.
The resulting extra areas of Bokeh really thrilled me ... and plan on utilizing like-settings (maintaining a lower ISO) more often.
This is my most recent work and plan on printing it on some type of Japanese paper, possibly a Unryu paper of some type. Also, this image may do well with alternative print process. I am glad it connects to you in a positive way. Posted: 11/07/2023 08:23:33
The resulting extra areas of Bokeh really thrilled me ... and plan on utilizing like-settings (maintaining a lower ISO) more often.
This is my most recent work and plan on printing it on some type of Japanese paper, possibly a Unryu paper of some type. Also, this image may do well with alternative print process. I am glad it connects to you in a positive way. Posted: 11/07/2023 08:23:33
The use of a narrow depth of field works on this delicate subject and I think the way the vine falls down into the shadowy gradation in the lower third of the image is quite beautiful. The top third of the image does the opposite with a gradation reaching up into the light. It's artistic and a lovely image to view with a bit of a story about life. Posted: 11/09/2023 03:52:13
Really glad you are enjoying this image ... yes, perhaps one interpretation (or best interpretation) is its ability to offer one illustration in the cycle of life.
It is always interesting to see the sometimes complex narratives a photographic image elicits from viewers ... as I often state ... there may be as many interpretations for an image, as there are spectators viewing it. Posted: 11/09/2023 05:17:19
It is always interesting to see the sometimes complex narratives a photographic image elicits from viewers ... as I often state ... there may be as many interpretations for an image, as there are spectators viewing it. Posted: 11/09/2023 05:17:19
Mark Holbrook
Lance-This photo almost immediately made me think of a scene in a movie that I saw decades ago of a "lost world." What appears to me to be the leading edge of a down-sloping plateau several inches from the top of the photo (because of the sharpness in clarity), looks to be a drop-off to a forbidden valley as evidenced by the loss of focus in the vine as it decends. You can tell just by my imagined description the effect this photo has on my imagination. It really is an intriguing photo that stimulated, at least, my imagination.
Not sure I did a very good job of explaining what my imagination conjured up in this photo, but I do like what it has done for me. Interesting exposure! Posted: 11/26/2023 11:22:36
Not sure I did a very good job of explaining what my imagination conjured up in this photo, but I do like what it has done for me. Interesting exposure! Posted: 11/26/2023 11:22:36
Indeed, in my opinion, you explained yourself quite well ... I too, have fond memories of that film, actually one of my favorite of all time, along with the original King Kong!
The type of work I am (trying) to produce within the "Intimate with Nature" series is one I hope elicits deep and meditating thoughts from viewers ... I appreciate hearing your connection to the featured image. Thank you, Mark! Posted: 11/26/2023 11:36:36
The type of work I am (trying) to produce within the "Intimate with Nature" series is one I hope elicits deep and meditating thoughts from viewers ... I appreciate hearing your connection to the featured image. Thank you, Mark! Posted: 11/26/2023 11:36:36
Lance, as always I find this image is also eye-opening to me. The DOF treatment makes it an art piece, very enjoyable to be in front of it, viewing the natural sculpture. Posted: 11/26/2023 20:22:54