Journey of Recognition



What rules have I applied in photography that may have inhibited any personal expression?
Since, so far, I have never read any book on photography I am not limited by strict rules.
I have vaguely heard photographers talk about thirds... maybe the above scene in the mountains might be considered as abiding by those rules. I'm not even sure!
I know that in in any scene I take, I do like the feel of 'enough' sky in which to breathe!
However, if I had decided to take a close-up of a part of that chalet above, I might just have captured the porch and a window, or some other detail which pulled me in.


Does the above snowscene abide by any rules? If it does, then they happened by chance. I just know that the chalet, at first, seemed as if it was the focal point, but I needed that tuft of vegetation poking through the snow which gave the picture depth, it became the foreground detail which caught my eye. I didn't analyse it. The chalet has almost taken on a secondary importance because of the foreground detail.
I also like the tips of the planted hedge leading up to the silhouette of the tree
 on the right which gives the scene a feeling of continuity.
The fact that the background disappears mysteriously into the mist gives me the feeling of a story being told
and I do love a little mystery with an untold story...


I know that I like to frame things, like the moon partially framed by the silhouette of the branches,  but with freedom below so that the whole thing breathes.
Finally, I don't think that I have ever really been hemmed in by rules in photography, simply because I don't really know them.
I am a free spirit  and I seem to rely on intuition more than what anyone might have told me.
Maybe I have internal rules rather than external ones?
Do they inhibit me in any way?
I will not answer now, but I will keep this in mind.... unless that free spirit takes over and wants to simply run and laugh and join in with the natural flow of life as I experience it in each moment.

I have tried to explore my rules, but realize that I don't seem to be following any!









27 comments

  1. You seem to have instinctually used some photography rules. The thing about photography rules is that they are there because most people find photos with the rules applied to be visually pleasing. The sunny photo of the chalet is beautiful to me. It seems that your Depth of Field is good here, as well as the placement of the chalet in the photo. In the winter of the chalet I love that you included the tuft of grasses in the foreground. You said you thought it gave the photo more depth. That is actually one the things that many photographers do for the same reason. You may not have read any photography rules or books, but it does seem that your way of shooting naturally brings some of these rules in. Rules aren't necessarily bad things - they can and do make the photos good photos. And since you don't know about the rules, you definitely are not letting any of them hold you back. You just do seem to have an eye for what seems right and pleasing.

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    1. Thank you for your feedback, Judy, it is helpful! Perhaps a capture which seems pleasing to the eye, has taken on certain unspoken rules without knowing it. As for the expression "depth of field", I haven't really used it before, but realize that some things make the whole scene look less flat and 'boring'. A little something in the foreground brings in the eye which then wants to travel further afield.

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  2. I started singing "The Hills are alive..." with your first photo- gorgeous! You needed to show the entire scene to capture the meaningful placement of the house.

    A rule you broke in the snow scene is to not put the subject in the center. I feel that in this photo, it works, because it shows me the freezing desolation surrounding the chalet!

    Judy's right in that you seem to instinctively know what to photograph!

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  3. Hi Sandra,
    You speak of not being familiar with rules, but you obviously have good visual taste and can articulate what you've done in each capture and why. So, for you, taste and awareness = beautiful photos. I find each of these pieces artfully composed. Barbara points out one rule that you have broken in the second photo, don't place a significant element or subject dead center. I feel you pulled it off because of the two strong balancing points - the large tree on the far right and the foreground piece of brush. I feel that rules are good to know as reference points and then we can fly free from there :)

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  4. Thanks for feedback Barbara and Anna, yes, when I looked at that photo of the chalet in the snow, I realized that it looked a little too central, but felt that the vegetation off-centre and the eye being drawn upwards by the tips of the hedges leading up to the tree drew the eyes away from this central position and maybe counter-balanced it!

    This is so funny, I break the rules without knowing them. Hihi!

    I also realize in some of my (other) captures that they look a little bit too face-on and a bit flat, but I'm managing to move away from that bit by bit as I noticed it myself!

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  5. I expect Julie Andrews to pop up in your first shot -- so beautiful! The simplicity and framing of the moon in your last photo is lovely. I agree with the previous comments: you have a refined "eye" with your own internal set of guidelines or preferences. You don't have to call them rules. I find knowing the "rules" helps me understand why certain images appeal to me or not.

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  6. Great examples Sandra, and as the other commenters highlighted, you are following some "rules" whether you know it or not. I think you are in a good place, not having learned the rules and feeling your way through successfully. The "rules" were created to help explain how to take a good photo, maybe for others who do not have the same visual intuition that you have. Keep thinking critically and creatively as you have been, and even as you learn the rules they won't burden you.

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  7. I'm not one to advise about any of the "rules" of photography, but I know appealing photographs when I see them! All three of yours fit in that category.

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  8. Thanks Kat for your comments. Yes, I have to keep looking critically at what I am doing to be able to create the harmony I feel when I look at something - and try out different angles until I feel, visually, that I'm in the right place.

    Thanks, Gina and Evelyn for dropping in. I'm learning so much - and this is just the beginning!

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  9. I could repeat all of the above comments...you seem to instinctively know how to compose a beautiful shot...I absolutely love the snow-chalet scene...and your analysis of it is spot on...the bit of foreground gives the whole picture depth. Thanks so much. Gail

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    1. Hi Gail, thank you for your input. I love that little tuft of vegetation poking out of the grass in the snow (second picture). It was that that attracted me in the first place! When I lifted up my eyes, I noticed how nice the dark wood of the chalet in the distance looked in the snow and then my eyes were drawn upwards towards the big tree with the tips of the hedge showing me the way! I took the photo with my small point and shoot digital compact camera.

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  10. your photos are amazing :) congrats on the free spirit. xxo

    p.s. I find this font really hard to read, sorry.

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    1. Hi Ana, thanks for your remarks! I hope that the font is easier to read now it is bigger. There must have been some problem with the site because when they put in the possibility to reply to each person individually, the font became unbearably small and I found it difficult to read too!

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  11. Hi Sandra Zinnia. I like the profile photo you chose. Your pink Zinnia is bright and cheery, like you. I don't think that I am much of a rule follower in photography either. I think it is helful to know the rules, but not worry to much about them. Maybe if I was a professional I would be more concerned about them! I am really drawn to your second photo. The hedges sloping down at an angle towards the chalet draw your eye right down to it, and it has a lovely atmosphere. PS my email is phylhart.com@gmail.com (sorry I haven't gotten back to you before now!)

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    1. Thank you for your remarks... the snow scene has created quite a lot of attention for itself ! I bet that tuft of vegetation in the foreground of the shot is having a good giggle about the whole affair!
      Thank you for your email address, I'll be writing!

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  12. I love the diagonal lines in the first photo! It is a very nice shot, as are your others. I like how you think about allowing things to "breathe". I'll thnk about that when I look at my own photos. Your happy free spirit comes through in your words. You are an inspiration!

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  13. Hi Kathy, thank you for coming in and for your words. Yes, I do notice that I like scene shots to breathe! It probably sounds a little unusual to say that, but even in the image of the moon, I wanted it, visually speaking, to feel free (which it is in reality).

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  14. Hi Sandra,
    I also love your explanation of allowing things to breathe in the photo. You have a strong compositional sense that shows in all your photographs. Some people just instinctively know how to create tension and interest in a photograph and I think you are one. I love the placement of the moon beneath the tree branch and also the diagonal snow line and the tuf of grass. Lovely!

    Joanna

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  15. Thank you for your input, Joanna. That tuft of grass has never had so much attention in its life! In fact, in the beginning, it was the reason for this shot... and the tuft led my eye to the chalet and the chalet to the hedge tips and they in turn to the big tree on the right.

    So it's quite a little visual journey and I didn't really take much notice of the fact that the chalet was central as it was offset by several off-centre points of interest.

    However, I have been reminded that I broke a rule by making something "important" central. So it's good to know and to look out for that. Whether I follow the rule or not is another kettle of fish, but I am now aware of its existence!

    I certainly appreciate everyone's feedback. Thank you for yours!

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  16. I really like the tree photo... I am fascinated by the bare branches across the sky. And the middle photo is wonderful also, I really like the diagonal and all the white space with the plant in the foreground that brings you into the photo.

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  17. Hi Sandra, I agree with all of the other comments, you definately have an instinctive eye for a beautiful image. I love your shot of the chalet & that now famous tuft of grass! Ha. I am also noticing alot of lines in your images, something of which I tend to photograph. Loving this journey with you !

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  18. Thank you Andrea and Chelle for your input. Yes, enjoying this journey too and I love it that everyone loves breaking the rules! What a gang we are!!

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  19. Hi Sandra,
    May I first get this out there, how envious I am of where you live and the beauty you have around you!! I'm not normally envious, but your photographs show such beauty. Obviously the snow chalet is the hit, and it gives off a peaceful feeling, as well as an isolated feeling, and I LOVE getting that feeling. Please let me repeat, how you have an intuitive eye to capture a perfect image. It's great fun having you in this group! Thanks for sharing your visual inspirations! Awesome!
    Beverly

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  20. Hi Beverly, don't be envious of where I live for I'm a city dweller, albeit slightly out of the centre. I am near the countryside and with a 10 to 15-minute drive can be out in the country surrounded by nature - which is my first love. The countryside here is very beautiful and there is the added addition of a lake and mountains in this area.
    Thank you for your friendly words!

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  21. You definitely prove that one does not need to know the rules to be a wonderful photographer. Each of your pictures is special but I especially love the cabin in the snow. I cannot wait to see more of your work.

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  22. Hi Ginny, thank you for your friendly remarks. I rather wish I knew what the rules were, so that I would know what I was disregarding!! I'm sure I will learn them bit by bit, like "not putting the main subject in the centre". Actually, the grass in the snow was the main subject! That's the funny part! The other elements just happened to be there within my line of vision, so they got included!

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  23. Hi Sandra, love, love, love your pictures. I think you may know the rules instinctively and you know what is 'right' about a picture.
    I love the large openness of the sky in the first shot and the snow in the 2nd. You frame your pictures so nicely :))

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