July Challenge - more minimalism examples
Just as I was going through some past work I came across a number of images that apply and you may not have seen.
1. a stand of trees captured during a snowstorm
2. caught as sea fog enveloped the beach. Sun streaming through the fog resulted in a wonderfully diffused light
3. Hosta leaf
4. iPhone ICM of beach
As with all discussions, I encourage all viewers to engage and express their own personal thoughts. Do any resonate in particular, or perhaps reflect work you have in your own library?
16 Comments
I like all of these. The last one is my favorite and funny enough it was on an iphone! I also really like the Hosta leaf. I actually have my own Hosta photo from a few years ago. I took this with the Laowa 15mm macro lens. It's a manual focus lens. I had my camera under this group of hastas and couldn't really see my screen very well so I didn't nail the focus quite like I would have liked but I think it still came out pretty cool.
With the new critique the community being abstract photos I hope to see some of your work!
Thanks for posting Kyle. I can't imagine how you got so low you could actually get that shot - it looks like such a surreal world down there!
PS - I won't be trying this as I may not be able to get back up again!
😂
Re "With the new critique the community being abstract photos I hope to see some of your work!"
I've added a variety of 'followICM' shots just to present something a bit different. As this type of work tends to be sooooo subjective it will be interesting to see what the larger community makes of them (expecting some low ratings...).
I see that other members have submitted entries to the contest, and encourage all in this group to take a look and support these fellow photographers.
The ratings are always low it seems. I will be checking sporadically and up voting everyones I recognize. I usually wait till near the end to submit my photos. It probably doesn't matter but I like to think if mine are closer to the top maybe they'll be seen more. It also leaves me more time to decide which ones I want to submit.
Good point Kyle, I have just submitted 3 on your prompting - thanks!
Ratings are ALWAYS low, but at least it gets your work in front of folks. It really doesn't matter what others think, as this work is so subjective.
On your prompting see the new discussion I have posted - it would be great to see more from our group out there.
Love this, Kyle. A new appreciation for hostas which I had lost - they're wonderfully hardy; but when the die off for the season, they're terribly sad looking.
Hello Mr. Brown, you have some familiar photos that are lovely.
#1 reminds me of a landscape photographer I follow (Thomas Heaton) and his love of minimalist tree(s). When I am out and about with the wife, we'll point out an isolated tree and exclaim, "Oh, look! A 'Thomas' tree." With affection of course.
#2 This photo reminds me of an Apocalyptic style in the theme of 'one-minute after' where no one is aware of what just happened. It would make a great jacket cover for a book.
#3 We have Hosta's as well, but I have never photographed them. It's usually, Dahlias, Columbine, Buddleia, Roses, Ferns, Crocus, Lillie's, and more that win out for my attention. I wonder if it's not too late to try a B&W or if the Slugs and Snails have ravaged them?
Did you add that single drop of water?
#4 ICM meets Rule of Thirds. Looks like a fast shutter speed (over 1/30th, but under 1/100th), or the use of a 3-stop ND?
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Dean, I have followed Heaton since his early days of solo hiking in the Lake District in the UK.
Thomas lives very close to where I grew up in the UK, in Whitley Bay - a seaside town I visited often as a child. I find his words as inspirational as his images, and actually wrote a blog entry on Thomas earlier this year -
https://www.alanbrownphotography.com/blog/influencers-thomas-heaton - if you're interested.
I've shot Hosta's may times as I feel their coloring and form are so interesting. I believe the drop of water was the remnant of a recent rainstorm. I'm not sure I noticed it when taking, but feel it adds a little something.
The last image was taken some time ago with an old iPhone 7, using a slow shutter app I believe. Exposure time is recorded as 1/6th sec. The iPhone can be a bit hit or miss with ICM, but I quite like the tranquil result of this attempt.
Thanks for engaging, I always appreciate hearing what others have to say (good OR bad!).
I read your blog a few months back...and I agree with your assessment.
The first makes me think of a charcoal drawing and the last of a water color. I really like them
Thanks so much for your comment Steven, it's great to hear your voice,
I LOVE the first image. It "screams" the silence of a winter snow storm. Nice work, Alan. I could look at this photo just to relax. The other three are wonderful too - the story told in the 2nd, the texture/focus of the third, and the painter-ly feel and colors of the 4th. Nice set of photos, Alan!
Thanks PG! The first is one of my favorites also, and hangs proudly in my office.
It's nice to look back through the library once in a while and refamiliarize yourself with earlier work that has work that passes the test of time.
I've always loved the first image here, Alan. Michael Kenna-ish. The hosta stands out too in this group - a beguiling harmony of curves, subtle texture and the little accent of the water droplet. I like your "horizon" being below the midline. Lovely work!
Thanks Chris.
This is the first time I've looked at these images in quite a long time, and it's quite a thrill that I still enjoy many. There are many others that lead to the question "why?" though.......