Seeing in 4x6s
“Photography is seeing only.”
Jurgen Schadeberg
I once read an interesting quote from a photographer who said that after a while he had a tendency to see the world as if he were looking through a 4×6 frame. I sometimes find myself doing the same thing. As any good photographer will tell you, photography is not so much about technique or equipment (although of course both are important), rather it’s about seeing/visualizing an image before creating it.
“A photograph is both a way of seeing and a way of remembering.”
John Rosenthal
In our challenge this week, Jen has asked us to think about the structure, the intimate detail of some “wonderful things”. I’ve chosen to highlight two captures I made last month in a beautiful garden outside of Santa Monica (above), as well as a study I did earlier this week of a glorious live oak not far from my home. In both cases nature has given us amazing examples of her finest artistry.
“I’ve found photography has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
Elliott Erwitt
Take, for example, a close look at the bark of this ancient live oak. Note how the lines run in parallel, how the colors change as your eye moves across the bark, and how the little leaves cling to their anchor hold.
“A photographer’s main instrument is his eyes.”
Manuel Alvarez Bravo
Now step back just a bit and see how the scene changes. Note the way the oaks bends and shapes itself due to the influence of the salt air surrounding it. See how it reaches beyond its own canopy to drink in the sunlight over the marsh.
“Photography with its unique realism gives me the power to go beyond the conventional ways of seeing.”
Wynn Bullock
Finally, see the bigger picture, a majestic example of graceful limbs that invite us to pause, to drink in the scenery and breathe the fresh air – perhaps even to have a swing from one of the sturdier branches.
Nature has a way of showing us the importance of detail, whether it be in the curve of an oak’s limbs, the color of a lily pad, or the heart of a flower. The photographer’s challenge is first and foremost to be aware and become a part of his or her surroundings, and only then to capture and share the experience.
WPC: Structure
I too love life that telephone line Patti, thanks for remembering it! I love life your photograph of the ‘Trees Through Trees’, it’s just simply beautiful 🙂
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great take on structure – and I am going with the “trees through the trees” for my favorite pic here….
Your photography is stunningly beautiful, Tina. I especially love the water lilies. 🙂
Many thanks Sylvia!
Staggering photographs as regular Tina, and your eye for detail is choice! I cherish your photograph
Thanks so much for your visit and comment
You express it so well: “Nature has a way of showing us the importance of detail, whether it be in the curve of an oak’s limbs, the color of a lily pad, or the heart of a flower. The photographer’s challenge is first and foremost to be aware and become a part of his or her surroundings, and only then to capture and share the experience.” I often think of that line in The Color Purple when Alice Walker writes that the leaves and flowers dance to catch our attention. Have a great week.
I too love that line Patti, thanks for remembering it! To be quoted in the same context as Alice Walker is quite a coup! Thanks for your visit and comment.
It’s one of those lines that keep circling in my head all these years. 🙂
Stunning photos as usual Tina, and your eye for detail is exquisite! I love your photo of the ‘Trees Through Trees’, it’s just simply beautiful 🙂
Thanks very much EFP!
You are most welcome Tina 🙂
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you, I’ve started a photography course, and everything has been a wee bit hectic over the last two or three weeks.
Really loved the lily pads.
Thanks so much Gayle – nice to see your name pop up!
A wonderful post Tina but I particular congratulate you on the brilliant text you have written to accompany your chosen pictures. It speaks to the microcosm and the macrocosm that surrounds us all and encourages us to be aware of the smallest detail and the bigger picture. Memorable words to live by – thank you 🙂
Andrew, thanks so much for the beautiful compliment. (“Brilliant” may be just a bit strong but I’ll take it LOL). Your comment is equally well said 😊 >
Beautiful Tina! Wonderful collection of photos.
Thanks Nicole!
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Love love that oak with the swing… I was quite the ” swinger” in my youth! HA….
LOL! I bet 😂
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Adored the water lilies Tina, and both tree photos, the lilies are a most beautiful blue, and one just hinting at purple! A question for you – can I ask what lens you use for macro photography? I’m thinking of buying a macro lens and am looking at Tamron. 🙂
Hey Jude 😀, thanks! Typically I just use my 70-200 f/2.8 Nikon lens and find it gets me close enough for what I want. I do have a set of extension tubes which are a much less expensive way to play around with macro. Hope that helps!
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You create some superb close ups with that lens Tina. I think I have some of those extension tubes, but I really fancy either the Sigma or Tamron macro lens. No birthday for a while yet though! 😊
Beautiful pics! Great choice for the challenge
Many thanks Shibin
I tend to see and crop my final images in SQUARES – does this mean I am weird?
LOL – can’t answer for “weird” Michael, let’s say you’re an individualist. Actually I often crop square, just depends on the image. Thanks for stopping by
Wonderful pictures!
Thanks Rebel Girl!
Beautiful Tina!
Thank you Adrian – hope all’s well!
I just love live oaks. Your photos of them are beautiful
thanks Nora – they’re exquisite aren’t they?! >
Great response to the “structure” challenge. I once saw a documentary about David Lean ( director of Lawrence of Arabia, Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago) I learned that he had started out as a film editor and when he moved to directing these he films he already had the edits in mind when he was still shooting. There were clips of him talking about certain scenes and how he could already see them on the screen. Seeing in 4×6 but expanded to the Big Screen.
Very interesting Anne, thanks for sharing that. I guess it’s not just still photographers who think in frames!!
🙂 Amazing images, dear Tina!
Have a very HAPPY weekend 🙂
Thanks Happyface, and the same to you.
So true about seeing the world in frames, Tina. Beautiful shots, especially the live oaks.
Thanks Jane – as you know they’re everywhere around here, one more beautiful than the next.
All beautiful, but I love the tree swing and the water lilies. 🙂
Many thanks Judy – the tree swing offers a bit of nostalgia, doesn’t it?!
Beautiful textures there – you have such a talent!
You’re very kind Lex, thanks so much for the lovely compliment.
PS. I cannot believe you have internet service Lex!!!
Believe it or not, 92% of Houston never lost power during Harvey, probably because all the damage was water- and not wind-related.
just wonderful captures in nature…u just have a GREAT eye…not to mention the words…love seeing life thru your lens😜
Thanks April – so happy to have you with me!!
Love your interpretation of your surrounds, Tina. Can definitely see how that tree is bending over the marsh and veering towards sunlight, wanting to grow – so amazing to see that it moves with instinct. I think many of us are like that too when it comes to photography – see a scene, click it. You give sound advice there at the end, to take a moment to realise what’s happening around us, and then frame a shot. That’s how we share our experience, share a story, share a part of history – and maybe even the present and future – with the rest of the world. Take care and have a good week 🙂
Thanks Mabel – yes if you think about it, photography really does offer unique views of past, present and future. In SF last month we visited a photography exhibit of shots from the 1950s and 60s. It was really an interesting prospective of the times.
I like the way you showed us the various aspects of the tree from all distances. I think the other thing the photographer has to do is decide how to present the details. Will it be a macro or something further away, emphasizing different things? What will be the focal point? By what we choose to show and highlight, we direct the attention of the viewer in a certain way, although they can, of course, always focus on something we didn’t intend.
Glorious shots, Tina.
janet
Thanks Janet – and yes, definitely – we can direct the viewer’s eye with our compositions. Of course viewers, like children, don’t always obey, do they?! 😊
I love your words as much as your shots on your posts !
The Swing looks like such a sweet spot to hang out.
😊
Thanks Diane – much appreciated. Did you recognize the tree? 😀
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Tina, you are absolutely right. Photography is a way of seeing from a smaller scale into grandeur (not grander). The header and the lilies are hypnotic.
Thanks so much Perpetua – I sometimes wonder if anyone ever sees the header any more! >
I do!, I do! I do. I make sure I visit the entire site of a blog not just take a peek and comment.
Beautiful post in images and words. Thank you for sharing
My pleasure Cornelia, thanks for your visit and comment
I love these textured closer looks at beautiful things of nature. Seeing everything through your photographic “eye” is a wonderful experience.
Thanks so much Dor, as always grateful for your visit and comment.
Hello Tina-
Beautifully woven structure between quotes, reflection, and photos!
I see I’m not the only one who was moved by the quote:
“The photographer’s challenge is first and foremost to be aware and become a part of his or her surroundings, and only then to capture and share the experience.”
Many thanks Jane – I love having made my own quote and it’s being noticed and re-quoted! How cool is that?!?!
Thanks Sally – it does speak of days gone by, doesn’t it?!
Love the detail!! And isn’t nature such a joy!!
Thanks so much Trees! And YES it surely is.
Your pictures were lovely and the tree was intriguing. Loved the “story” that accompanied it.
Thanks ML! It’s a beautiful oak over at CSQ, which I’ve always wished I had a camera with me when going by. Finally I took a trip over just to shoot it
Nice post. I especially like the graceful lines in the last photo. Beautiful harmony.
Thanks Jane – did you recognize the tree?? 🙂
This is so true, Tina! More and more I am identifying myself as a “photographer” and see photo potential in everything! Gorgeous photos as usual!!
That’s what we like to hear Terri ! Perspective is everything isn’t it?! Thanks for stopping by
Wow, each image is so special. Amazing collection.
Thanks very much Rupali
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“….drink in the sunshine over the marsh.” I like that.
:-), thanks Sharon! It’s a pretty awe-inspiring specimen, don’t you think? Did you recognize it??
I love the way you see nature, Tina. Another beautiful set of nature images.
Thank you for sharing with us. 🙂
Thanks so much Amy – much appreciated, especially considering the source 🙂
I love these shots. Great job Teen
Thanks GF! Hope all’s well on your end!
You are so right! I now take much m ore time to consider a subject before I press that shutter.
Your images are glorious and I love the story of the tree.
Thanks Jude – how nice it feels to find MYSELF quoted!!!
Heehee…
Great structure images that evoke mood… and I totally agree about photography being about seeing/visualizing an image before creating it…
My best photographic tools are my eyes and my brain, Tina!!
Absolutely Sue – I’m with you on that! Thanks as always for your visit and comment.
Yay!
beautiful…… the colors are so natural………
Thanks very much Sudhir – nature doesn’t need much enhancement does it?!
Love those shadows. Great shots!
Thanks Steffen!
Thank you Tina for sharing your amazing captures with your perspective – drink in the sunlight – lovely!
Thanks so much Dahlia – nature can be so inspirational, don’t you think?
Yes the most inspirational 🙂
Especially enjoyed the “Tree and Swing,” which evokes so many stories.