Man in BlackThe 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.
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29 comments:
I have known you all these years and you still surprise me. Brilliant.
A marvelous shot. I am glad you caught it.
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.
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.
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!
Never photoshop but sometimes use Paint.net to fiddle contrast or brightness - and crop. All methods of the wet darkroom.
"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.
Great picture. Nicely done.
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.
That looks like my husband.
The head of the household trudging home from the shops with his carry-out.
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.
It certainly is great when every thing comes together, and the best piece is (as you say) when you see and capture.
well caught!
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.
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.
It's good to see you have not lost your touch lass.
It makes a lovely vignette.
Splendid picture, Babooshka.
See point and shoot: often that spontaneous image is really unrepeatable.
Ain't serendipity grand? I love it when the image just falls in your lap like this.
B. You know it's not that simple or you would not have to tell me where I go wrong.
You and serendipity sure are good buddies! Great shot.
You're right. The camera gods were smiling that day. Great capture!
I agree about serendipity - a wonderful friend. Very nice shot B.
Don't stop posting such articles. I love to read stories like this. Just add some pics :)
This is a very nice photo and especially in black and white.
serendipituous indeed. a very nice photo and an insightful lesson about the creative process. thanks for sharing it, B.
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.
I love this one!
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