Obstructed Beauty
Inspired by Andreas Manessinger’s recent post on FineArtPhotoblog.com, I decided to shoot this image despite the bare willow branches preventing a clear view. He made the argument that sometimes you just can’t do anything about an obstruction and that you might as well use it. And so I found myself next to this pond, unable to get any closer to the scene but unwilling to let it go. I framed it as best I could and it came out pretty interesting - the contrast is great in this one, so that helps. There are a lot of things about this image that go against some very basic rules of photography, but I think it still works well.
I’ve followed Andres’ posts on his own blog with cluttered foregrounds with interest. As a Finn I’ve always envied photographers in areas with wider views of the world (read less trees ;).
Sure, I shot like this isn’t sharp all the way through and the foreground is cluttered, but it is also a fairly accurate depiction of what the view really looks like. All in all, I quite like this shot.
I love it! I wouldn’t have seen the connection to my “Electric Ladyland” series, but now that you say it, it’s a fine generalization and a good example for thinking out-of-the-box.
There’s more to it. Am I the only one, or do other people see the thin lines in the foreground as scratches or folds as well? If you look superficially, it makes the impression of an old paper image that has been folded and/or scratched! The trees in the background and their reflection repeating these same lines, that’s very powerful. Did I say I love it
Hmm … I’ll think about it and see if I can come up with a visual response to this image. It won’t be bare twigs, because here in Austria it’s already early summer, but I’ll find something
Sorry for the long delay on my reply here, that’s pretty bad. I appreciate both of your comments; Ramin it’s cool that you’re following Andreas also. We have rather different styles but that’s no reason to forgo learning a thing or two when the opportunity arises.
And thanks again to you, Andreas, for helping me see out-of-the-box a little…I tend to be somewhat of an idealist and it’s hard at times to accept less than what you know a scene can really be. I like your idea of seeing the foreground here as scratches or folds. I hadn’t thought about it, but I can definitely see it now…with a little more help from you. See…out-of-the-box again, blasted! I look forward to seeing your visual response, which in itself a great idea and makes for a more direct attempt at communicating through composition. There’s something to be had there…
Thanks again to you both!
So far no reaction from me. That day I have tried, but didn’t find anything. “579 - Boulevard Of Dreams” ( http://blog.andreas-manessinger.info/2008/05/579-boulevard-of-dreams.html ) is what came out of it. Completely different, but resulting from an effort to see through phone booths, along glass facades, in other words, looking for subjects where normally none are expected.
It’s not forgotten. It’s another project now, one of the things that I occasionally look for. I’ll let you know when I have a “real” answer
Cody, I finally have something like what I imagined. See “588 - SoFoBoMo - Progressing Pretty Well” ( http://blog.andreas-manessinger.info/2008/05/588-sofobomo-progressing-pretty-well.html ) and especially my response to Ted Byrne’s comment. It’s not a final answer, but it is an answer. I’ll keep them coming.
Hmm … for the moment it seems like it’s your turn