Sunday, January 24, 2010

Solitary Man - Monochrome Weekly

Man in Black


The photographers best friend is not Photoshop. It is serendipity. It is that single solitary moment when the photography gods conspire to deliver into your hands the image naturally that looks awkward when staged. All you have to do is notice it. You can't learn that from a book or be taught it, it's instinct. As you can see I am still making the most of the one and only day of snow we had and again another gift.The man so helpfully dressed from head to toe in black against such a pure white solid blanket of snow. The one raised foot to indicate movement within a frozen frame. Always capture with one foot slightly raised to show the sole. Again it just looks better, right, good and I am not going to bore with any jargon, it's obvious why. Could only be monochrome. Not an image where you stumble around for your setting, or you will loose the composition of the lone figure which is the key element of the image. Just take it or lose it.



Now that was far too sensible. I should really tell you that the mound of land is Sky Hill where there was this huge Lord of The Rings Style Battle (no hobbits, dwarfs or elves) between the locals and invading Viking, but I have done that soooooooooooooooooooo many times before now that I'm sure the link will pop up again or a picture and you can check it out. No today was simply see point and shoot.


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29 comments:

Dave W said...

I have known you all these years and you still surprise me. Brilliant.

SandyCarlson said...

A marvelous shot. I am glad you caught it.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

You are right about the serendipitous nature of some shots. There have been times that I have discovered wonderful things in my photos that I did not see when looking through the viewfinder.

Chuck Pefley said...

The ingredient you forgot to mention is the whole lifetime of preparation you've had to prepare you for this split second moment of action. Nicely done.

Lew said...

Serendipity is alive and well in Ramsey. To have snow, the man in black and camera was indeed fortuitous! Hobbits would have been incredulous. Love the image!

Anonymous said...

Never photoshop but sometimes use Paint.net to fiddle contrast or brightness - and crop. All methods of the wet darkroom.

Rune Eide said...

"Luck comes to the prepared mind", as someone said. You didn't know it would happen like that - but something might - and did.

marvellous picture and explanation.

Unknown said...

Great picture. Nicely done.

John said...

Agree about photoshop, used to use it but stopped, Don't like all the filters and effects some people use. However, in Aperture 2 which I use on my Mac I do lighten exposures and alter contrast, but that's about it.

Ramsey Mom said...

That looks like my husband.

Zyzzyz said...

The head of the household trudging home from the shops with his carry-out.

Jilly said...

You are so rightabout serendipity. Isn't it wonderful when it comes along but of course you have to have the eye to know it! As you do.

imac said...

It certainly is great when every thing comes together, and the best piece is (as you say) when you see and capture.

Carolina said...

well caught!

Anonymous said...

You are so right. HCB called it the decisive moment. I like serendipity, but a good image depends on you the photographer knowing when that moment is right. Your nabbed this moment quite well.

Carver said...

I agree with you about serendipity. This is a great shot. I love everything about it and he must have worn black just in case a photographer happened to catch the moment.

Anonymous said...

It's good to see you have not lost your touch lass.

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

It makes a lovely vignette.

Pietro Brosio said...

Splendid picture, Babooshka.
See point and shoot: often that spontaneous image is really unrepeatable.

Mojo said...

Ain't serendipity grand? I love it when the image just falls in your lap like this.

A friend said...

B. You know it's not that simple or you would not have to tell me where I go wrong.

D said...

You and serendipity sure are good buddies! Great shot.

MyMaracas said...

You're right. The camera gods were smiling that day. Great capture!

Dragonstar said...

I agree about serendipity - a wonderful friend. Very nice shot B.

Anonymous said...

Don't stop posting such articles. I love to read stories like this. Just add some pics :)

Anonymous said...

This is a very nice photo and especially in black and white.

Eki said...

serendipituous indeed. a very nice photo and an insightful lesson about the creative process. thanks for sharing it, B.

Rob said...

serendipity is the best approach to shooting people...photographically speaking. I'm not a big fan of staged portraits. To me, they seem so clinical, campy, and well, staged.

Ben Nakagawa said...

I love this one!

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