Sunday, March 22, 2009

Soft Footbridge


Soft Footbridge
Originally uploaded by srtists13
DIGITAL

From atop a bridge one can see in the distance a small path leading through the woods opening up to a small stone footbridge surrounded by algae. As I exited the path it opened right up to reveal the footbridge, so I started to take pictures because I found the placement of the footbridge to be quite aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. I was experimenting with a new technique I thought of in order to get an image to appear both in focus and out of focus at the same time. The outcome is an easily recognizable image with areas of sharpness and areas of softness without loosing any substantial detail. My reason for using this technique is because the lighting of the area combined with the algae and the stone textures created an image with a high amount of contrast. As I looked at the bridge from afar it gave me this very warm feeling involving clichéd images of meetings between young men and women. In addition to my imagination, the surrounding trees were yellowish green at the time and created an overall warm glow when viewed from a distance. When taking pictures I realized that this soft quality was lost in the up close image. My solution was to take the picture with an extended shutter speed of around three – four seconds and while the shutter was open rotate the focusing ring on my lens. The image was in focus when the shutter was first opened, then at around two seconds I began to rotate the focusing ring so that it would focus slightly closer and then slightly farther than the initial image. Using this technique I found I was able to return the soft, warm, glowing effect I was looking for.

Waterfall


Waterfall
Originally uploaded by srtists13
DIGITAL

Taken: 2/18/2008
Part of series: ABSTRACTIONS

In New Jersey there is a relatively small lake that lies within the property lines of the quaint historical village of Batsto. The waters of this river flow beneath a small bridge that overlooks a quite beautiful horizon (when the conditions are right, of course). Here is where you'll find a small man made waterfall most likely generated to reduce the chance of flooding or the redirection of water. Anyways, I was attempting to lean over and capture an image of the underside of the bridge when, through the lens-piece i say this image pop out before me, and with that my ABSTRACTIONS series was conceived.

My goal for this photograph was to eliminate the focal point and replace it with a focal plane. Rather than a specific point being the main area of interest the curving water acts as an expansive area of interest. When one squints the large areas of color and relatively similar values offer this image to take the appearance of a painting more than a photograph. Displaying it horizontally attributes a landscape effect to it, creating an image of rolling hills and a sky.

Feet


Feet
Originally uploaded by srtists13
DIGITAL

Taken: 3/30/2007
Part of Series: Abstractions

Another shot taken in Paris. The piece was conceptually based on the passage of time in a world that so often takes advantage of it.
The goal for this picture was to capture the motion of a crowd of people traveling on the steps while having only their feet still and clear in the photograph.
Since it was a busy day I knew I'd have no problem finding a crowd.
Again, this was taken with a point and shoot and I neglected to find out the shooting information.

The Warmth in Proximity


The Warmth in Proximity
Originally uploaded by srtists13
DIGITAL

Taken a while ago in Paris.
Part of a series: Abstractions

It was taken with a point and shoot so i didn't even think to check for the shooting information.
I do however remember that for having been in Paris they did not match the wine with the meal as well as i expected.
But, so it goes, it was a good meal nonetheless.

Digital Print (Taken with Sony DSC – T9) (printed at home)
With this image I attempted to use the glasses of wine to represent the curves of the human figure. Wine in and of itself is known as a sensual drink and the colors in the picture help activate the idea of warmth. The proximity of the two glasses combined with the warm colors is supposed to appear to activate a sensual environment.