DISQUS

Wes · 7 months ago

Very nice series of black and whites, Alec.

I especially like the second one because of the combination of cloud formation and the rock formations in the foreground. It has so much interest for me. I keep going back to that one, but they are all enjoyable to look at.

Wes

Alec · 7 months ago

Wes,

So nice to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by. I hope all is well in D.C.

Keep the rubber side down, brotherman.

Cheers,
alec

Amy · 7 months ago

Very exciting Alec! You're riding the Eide vibe so naturally. I love each one, and the dynamic range you are getting in B&W!

Alec · 7 months ago

Hey Amy,

Thanks for your constant presence and support. I'm definitely inspired by Eide's work. I'm definitely disappointing in the dynamic range visible in a crummy little jpeg. There is more dynamic range in the full res images and that's something I work really hard to create during the shoot. We'll be learning some about this during August workshop, so get ready.

Cheers,
Alec

Kimberely · 7 months ago

AJ,

I love these B&W and the tonal range you have pulled out with the blue gold polarizer. I may need to get one!

I am curious what draws you to image #4. I ask because I too am drawn to images like these yet composition theory would suggest there is not much to keep a viewer in the frame. I like the linear layout of natural features. It is brooding and contemplative.

I am also enjoying Image #2 and the pool in the middle of the image. The rocks draw me into a "spiral". Was there a composition that would allow you to place the pool on a power point?

Wishing I could have made it up north with you last weekend.

KG

Alec · 7 months ago

Hey KG,

Really appreciate your questions. Let's see what there is to learn from them.

1. "Composition Theory would suggest...". Well, you know and I know and a lot of people know that those "rules" are more like "guides." They help us understand the dominant aesthetic in our culture and therefore helps understand how to create more dynamic space. You know this, of course. What drew me to it? For the first time in the weekend I was "PLAYING" as you put it in your last post. That is to say, when we all remove ourselves from the constraint of overthinking a shot, we start to develop our OWN aesthetic. I was simply moving and working with rocks, sky and water (pretty much all there is on the north shore :)). I wanted to shoot, not think about if this is the right composition. There was so much going on and I (and travis) just kept moving and changing with the conditions. We were playing, at a furious pace I might add. Now, maybe there is enough to keep the viewer in the frame, in so much as the image is simple, that there is a geometric relationship between the rock and clouds, that the water washing around the rock is the brightest point in the image (which our eye is naturally drawn to). Had I slowed down a little, I might have shot a second frame for critical sharpness in the sky. I wish I had, but I didn't. Oh well...

2. Hmmm, good question. I did consider this during the shoot, but don't recall why I said to myself, "Whatever, not critical to this shot." Would it be better if it was? I hope someone else chimes in about this. Probably because the clouds were changing, and whatever change I saw happening was not going to help the shot. I was set, so I took the shot I had at the moment.

I don't think I answered your great questions, but there is a certain reality to how each of us can shoot. Rules, when we follow them and when we break them can certainly be driven by the set of conditions we are given by mother nature. I think this is why Landscape photography is sooooo darn fascinating. We'll be discussing a lot of this during the workshop in August.

Thanks again KG.
alec

Kimberely · 7 months ago

In looking at Image #4 again, may I present that what moves me through the image is light? Dark rock to light water...dark horizon line to light clouds. I am trying to dissect what it is that attracts me to these images. At times as a scientist, I can see things as linear, logical and I wonder if that is what I am responding to. Nevertheless, I like the image.

I am glad you are just shooting, playing and enjoying. Let's go play again soon.

KG

Kevin Hawkins · 7 months ago

Image #2 looks three dimensional. Very cool!

Alec · 7 months ago

Hi Kevin,

As always, thank you for being here and for your comments. Hope all is well.
alec

spostma · 6 months ago

Hi Alec - I really love your black and whites. The best part for me is that even though I often need people in my images to feel emotion, I feel it in your images without people! I also love that the majority of your technique is obviously done at the time of the image capture rather than post processing. That's truly commendable and something we all should strive for as photographers. Too many people think, "I'll fix it in post," when they could be doing something to improve their images at the time of the shoot.
Cheers!

Alec · 6 months ago

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for the comments and kind words. The issue of in camera vs. in post is a great one that doesn't seem to get enough attention. I don't think there is a right answer, but in discussing it I think each of use will come closer to what we appreciate about the craft of image making. Thanks again.