The Melody of Motion in Photography

August 15, 2016

     Showing motion and speed in images is a great way to enhance the art of photography.  Ernst Haas, one of the first highly acclaimed photographers to utilize this technique, expressed his thoughts on this art form in the following passage.

“The basic idea was to liberate myself from this old concept and arrive at an image in which the spectator could view the beauty of the fourth dimension, which lies much more between moments than within a moment.”

— Ernst Haas

     Haas not only changed color photography forever but also introduced the art world to the melody of motion in still photography.  Today, this form of photography is often referred to as panning, and, as a nature and wildlife photographer, I use it not only to express the mood, motion, and mindfulness of landscapes but also to reveal the emotional and exhilarating action of wildlife. 

Winning Image in the Art Wolfe Photography Contest

August 10, 2016

     Having followed the work of Art Wolfe for several years and having studied most of his books, I am grateful and honored to have won his recent Photography Competition.  I learned of his contest by following him on Instagram, and when the opportunity arose to participate, I jumped at it.  Considered one of the top photographers in the world, Art Wolfe has graced us with an impressive body of work which will inspire generations of photographers and artists to come.  As Wade Davis so eloquently put it in his Introduction to Art's Earth is My Witness book, "One can smell in his photographs the dirt of Africa, feel in them the chill of an Arctic wind, taste the bitterness of the plants, bear witness to the innumerable silences of the stars, and hear in his landscapes the slow sound of the continents inexorably in motion."  

     So, it has truly been an honor to have my work recently recognized by Art Wolfe and his team.  The competition emphasized Photography As Art, specifically patterns.  The contest is part of a series that explores the various elements of design which are essential to making compelling photographic compositions.  I made the photograph as a study of patterns in the natural world; it features the mosaic-like skin of an Iguana in its breeding colors.  The intricate design, diverse textures, and unusual shapes highlight the art so readily found in nature.  I hope you enjoy the image.

The Art of Observation

August 8, 2016

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

— Henry David Thoreau

     How often do people look at things, but not really see them? Thoreau's quote reminds us of the ever important art-of-observation, and, in photography, this can certainly be the difference between a good composition and an astoundingly superb, take-your-breath away image.  Artists and photographers must constantly hone this skill as the selection of what we see in composing a piece will be what challenges the viewer.  This is especially evident when familiar or frequently photographed scenes are involved

     I was recently reminded of the art-of-observation during a shoot in Acadia National Park earlier this year.  The scene before me was the ever popular Thunder Hole - a well marked attraction on Maine's beautiful, rocky, cliff-laden shoreline.  A scene that millions of visitors have photographed over the years. The name is derived from the loud, thunderous sound emanating from the caves underneath the cliffs when a wave crashes into the shoreline, causing not only the roaring sound but also a potentially life-threatening situation:  several people have unfortunately lost their lives when swept out to see at this location.  So, how should I make a photograph of something that has been photographed so often?  Although the specific answer as to what scene I should compose did not appear quickly before me, I did realize that the answer to the question of how to go about photographing something differently was in my skill set. 

     I began by patiently employing the principles of the-art-of-observation; this involved not only walking around the cliffs and considering various vantage points but also involved silent and peaceful contemplation, i.e., seeing instead of just looking at the various sections of the cliffs.  After working the area for a while, I saw what resembled a face as part of a larger cliff.  I had found my subject and could now begin making the photograph.  I proceeded to set up various  compositions and long exposures with different ND filter and polarizer combinations.  Some people asked what I was capturing, and I told them about the face I was seeing in the rocks;  word quickly spread among the crowd about the "face-in-the-rocks," elevating the mood of those around me and adding interest to the shoot.  I named the composition "The Guardian of the Thunder Hole" as it appeared to guard the entrance  of where the waves entered the inlet of the Thunder Hole.  

The Guardian of the Thunder Hole, Bar Harbor, Maine                             © Brian Rivera Uncapher