Lens-Artists Challenge #154 – One Photo Two Ways
“A photographer’s eye is perpetually evaluating.”
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Henri Cartier-Bresson said that a photographer is continually shaping and changing his or her perspective to create a capture, but at the speed of a reflex action. This week, we’d like you to think about the various ways you create your images. Show us the same subject captured using multiple, different approaches. For example, my opening images, above and below, are a horizontal and vertical capture of the fresh curly plant leaves I captured in my yard last week.
“Too often in life we pass by important things. Let’s pause, change perspective and see things more clearly.”
Sergio da Silva
The next example illustrates the difference a big picture image versus a close-up can make, and how important your choice can be in conveying your message.
“I encourage playfulness and experimentation with both camera and subject. Never be satisfied with an obvious perspective.”
Michael Kenna
I captured the egret above and below earlier this month as it strolled across a bridge on our local golf course. Typically with birds I like to get as close as possible. Below however, I photographed the bird from a larger perspective which presents a completely different message. Sometimes the big picture is more interesting than zooming in, other times a close-up is preferred.
“I do not document anything. I give an interpretation.”
Andre Kertesz
The next set of three images, each with their own strengths, focuses on the impact of an image’s mood. I was committed to photographing the visiting family of a good friend last week. I don’t know about you but I find capturing 16 people of all ages in a single image to be a very daunting challenge! We typically have only one chance to create images that will capture memories for all of the family members. We depend on the weather, we avoid sun glare, and we work hard to position people so that everyone can be seen. YIKES!
“Photography… offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution.”
Ansel Adams
In the image above I positioned the family in a traditional way and was fortunate that everyone actually looked at the camera at the same time 😊. In the image below I thought we could have a bit of fun by posing the young boys higher in the trees, which also allowed me to move slightly closer, creating a somewhat more intimate scene.
“Sometimes I look with telephoto eyes, sometimes with wide-angle eyes.”
Alfred Eisenstaedt
Lastly, I created some black & white images for the family, which to me seem a bit more timeless. As an aside, I was facing a bit of a crisis at the time but my friend’s family only gathers once each year so I decided to go ahead with the shoot. For its duration I forgot about my troubles, focused on the task at hand, and shared in the joy of the family’s gathering. It turned out to have been an excellent decision and the diversion couldn’t have come at a better time.
“In black and white you suggest, in color you state.”
Paul Outerbridge
Below and finally, a favorite photography subject, the beauty of a wonderful garden, such as that of Charleston’s Middleton Place. Surrounded by nature’s glory, we may choose to deliver the big picture , to play with software that creates an impressionist perspective, or to zoom in on the details of a single bud. Ultimately it is the photographer’s choice – lucky us!
“Every photo I take is a piece of my life that I will never get back, but that I will be able to see again and again.”
Malcolm Flowers
“A picture is the expression of an impression. If the beautiful were not in us, how would we ever recognize it?”
Ernst Haas
“Photography is as much about what is left out of the frame as it is about what the photographer keeps inside the frame.”
Daryl Oh
This week, please join us in sharing images that you’ve captured in more than one way. Except for the B&W and Impressionist images, all of those in this week’s post were created in camera. It’s up to you to choose your own approach to your subjects, including the use of editing tools. We look forward to seeing the results of your vision – please link them to my original post and use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you in the WP Reader.
An important announcement. We are excited to announce a special event for the month of July. Several of our previous Guest Hosts have agreed to lead the Lens-Artists challenge. We’re sharing their themes in advance and hope you’ll join us and them in the coming weeks. They include:
July 3 John Steiner of Journeys With Johnbo will present “On the Water”
July 10 Anne Sandler of Slow Shutter Speed will present “Black and White”
July 17 Rusha Sams of Oh The Places We See will present “Getting Away”
July 24 Beth Smith of Wandering Dawgs will present “Along Back Country Roads”
July 31 Ana Campo of Anvica’s Gallery will present “Postcards”
Please be sure to check out their always-interesting and beautiful blogs, and join us in supporting them as they lead us each Saturday in the coming month. Until then, please remember to stay safe and be kind.
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Tina, you have such wonderful photos to show off your theme. 😀 😀
Here is my entry for the week. Enjoy!
Thanks Cee, glad you enjoyed this one. thanks for joining us!
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Those first two pictures especially took my breath away. What an eye you have! I know the family will have been delighted with all of their images. I hope you are back on an even keel now.
My submission is here: https://susanrushton.net/2021/06/29/one-photo-two-ways/
Many thanks Susan – it was a very special moment with that plant, which I’d never seen do that before.
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Having not been happy with any of my ideas for the prompt I went a slightly different way. One location and three or four different takes on it:
https://davidmsphotoblog.com/2021/06/29/one-subject-three-or-four-ways/
Exactly what I was looking for David, thanks for giving us some thought.
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The leaf curls fascinate me, what’s the plant Tina?
Hi Liz, it’s a sago palm. I’ve only seen it do this the one time. Lucky I saw it when I did!
Here are some shots from a recent trip to Maine — with some suggestions for how novices (like us!) can get two shots out of one. Thanks for a fun topic this week: https://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2021/06/28/lens-artists-photo-challenge-154-one-photo-two-ways/
Terrific, thanks Rusha
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Perfect garden…it may be a Monet. Here is mine for this week. https://mywanderings.travel.blog/2021/06/29/one-photo-two-ways/
Many thanks Teresa – not Monet but a truly beautiful garden just the same.
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Love those curly Q’s and the impressionist treatment. So good of you to photograph the family reunion!
Thanks Lindy – the Qs were a nice surprise one morning.
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Thank you for this interesting theme, Tina. I had to make it into More than one photo and show (Mexcessive) examples of why it’s better to take more photos. I love your egret!
Terrific, thanks Manja!
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Lovely selections! The impression of the garden so nice, 🙂 Here’s mine, https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2021/06/27/lens-artists-challenge-154-one-photo-two-ways/
Thanks Lily – appreciate your joining us.
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Hello again Tina, Eivor and Pearl’s contribution for this week’s lovely challenge is here: https://whippetwisdom.com/2021/06/28/tanka-two-ways-of-seeing/
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Love the concept of two perspectives: such as the close-up vs the broad, conceptual big picture. To me, this is also true outside of photography. Teachers must have the ability to capture those broad, conceptual things that make broad connections while zooming into the details when necessary. I say that because others focus on the details then broaden to make connections – so the question is which is more effective learning. The egret images are perfect examples. However, the first two images fascinated me. Well done, Tina!
Many thanks Frank. Excellent analogy re teaching – thoughtful as always my friend. Glad you enjoyed this one.
Glad I was able to have time to get here! Geez!!!!
Tina, what a fabulous family photograph, joyful and seemingly growing.
Thanks so much Sally, they’re a fun and beautiful family. I was happy to have captured them looking so happy!
Hi Tina, the whorls on the plant are captivating. Is it a fern?
Thanks Khurt. Actually it’s a Sago Palm and I’d never seen it do this. It was cut back the day before and this is what I saw the next morning. Soon it returned to it’s usual spiky leaves. I too loved the little whorls!
All these photos are great. I like both of the egret photos. This will be a fun challenge.
Thanks Beth – he sure got some attention this week! Look forward to your challenge response.
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I hope to join in the fun later this week, but have to say how much I enjoyed these photos, especially the egret and the sign! With my flower photography I often like to do a wider angle, to provide context, as well a closeup of the flower itself. What a great theme this week!
So pleased you enjoyed this one Chris – it does seem the egret is this week’s star!
Hi Tina
His is a fantastic challenge you’ve posed for us all! Your lead photo of the curling tendrils is truly gorgeous. And how could I not adore your two captures of the walking Great Egret? Boys just wanna have fun and the happy family are lovely photos. It is hard to get so many people to all look great at the same time. Well done.
Here are two photos from me, oops make that five photos:
Best, Babsje
Thanks Babsje, so glad you enjoyed the challenge. Loved your approach.
😊
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Lovely photos again. The group photo is a standout with its cheerful and happy subjects, and the lovely mellow light. I prefer the second version, slighly more informal, a little closer, and the branches of the trees work very well as leading lines moving your eye to the group.
The challenge resonated with some thoughts I had about a set of recent photos, and the use of the camera. Is it an eye independent of the user, or a tool to present an user’s intent to the world. Security cameras are all about intent, but aren’t our cameras also about presenting a view of the world true to what we think we saw as we looked through the viewfinder?
Thanks I.J. the family includes the children and grandchildren of good friends and it was a joy to be with them for at least a short time. Enjoyed your take on the challenge this week – very creative.
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hi tina, wunderful photos that show us here. my favorite is the heron. this is a not so easy theme as i have only a few photos that i have taken more than once, here is my contribution to the theme, https://wp.me/p2AvI7-3Nr.
many greetings robert
Thanks Robert – he was very funny. Thanks for joining us
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This is a great challenge Tina, and your Photos, Oh Wow…excellent presentation, as usual. I love the curling green leaves and now I am thinking how can I interpret this challenge!
Thanks very much Christina – I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Hey there Tina.
I managed to create something to interpret your Challenge.
I am glad to be part of this circle. Cheers from Germany and hope you have a wonderful week.