The Three (Two Photographs)
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There are three things you can count on year round in our reserve, chipmunks, chickadees and canada geese. When all else fails they are subjects for photography. The geese look more noble on the water than their habits on land would suggest. Both the chipmunks and chickadees move so fast it’s often hard to get a good shot. All will accept handouts.
Floral Composition (Three Photographs)
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Taken in a city garden with my Fuji XT-2, 18-55 mm, 2.8. These illustrate something that I learned early on and which I think is an important part of my kind of photography. In composing in the camera, there are two factors: imagining the final crop, usually smaller than the screen as you see it in camera (e.g. 8×10) and taking multiple photographs of the same thing from different angles. Different angles give me a chance to pick the most dramatic or interesting composition.
Forest Light (Two Photographs)
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The lighting in forests is extraordinary. Because there is a canopy that only lets in some light there are various effects that mimic studio lighting. For example, rays of light that break through the canopy and act as spotlights which is the case here. Photography is all about light and we have several options in nature – time of day, shadows, spotlights, overcast soft lighting. All worth exploring. One trick is to bring down the highlights and exposure in processing to emphasize the lighting, a better solution than a vignette in my view.
Grackle (Two Photographs)
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The colour photograph is here only for comparison, though some may prefer it. I did not see many grackles this summer, so when I saw one hidden behind some branches I had to give it a go. Most of the shots were marginal with the bird in soft focus, and they were all noisy. But I decided to try this on and I think it looks rather dramatic in black and white.
Almost Abstract (Three Photographs)
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I was not sure how to title this, but the results are almost abstract. These photos illustrate an issue in photographic composition and the engagement of the audience’s eye. Simply put we are attracted to the brightest spot in a photo. Which is unfortunate if it’s not your subject. In these photographs my technique, besides knowing I could crop some of the brighter spots out, was to make sure my subject was front and centre. Sometimes you have to use more complex techniques in Photoshop, but the approach I have used worked well for me here.
Baltimore Oriole (Three Photographs)
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My favourite of the Baltimore Orioles we saw this summer. He moved about then stayed for a time all in small area of the tree, so I was able to get quite a few shots. A wonderful sight in the field.
Escaping Flowers (Three Photographs)
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On a walk in my neighbourhood I came across this fence that made a great frame for the flowers. I used different levels of luminosity in the photographs to emphasize the main subject. In camera framing is one of many tools that can help focus an audience and there are many creative ways to do it, such as with physical objects or luminosity.
