Sunday, April 19, 2009

Picture Perfect

Please click to enlarge.


Photographers know that the best light for shooting is most often found early in the mornings and late in the evenings. But getting up early or running out late does not guarantee the perfect light.

When doing assignments for magazines or other slick publications, photographers are at the mercy of the light. I once shot an important assignment with another photographer that required 7 trips to the location, a two hour round trip.

Photographers also know that perfect light is fleeting, and can sometimes last only a few minutes, or mere seconds. For that reason, when I was coming back from an assignment on Saturday evening, I slammed on my breaks to capture the beauty of the light falling on this little silent corner of the world.

This was not taken in Crisfield. It was taken a few towns up, in Mt. Vernon, but still part of our county.

18 comments:

david mcmahon said...

One of the most fleeting aspects of life is ideal light for a photographer. I guess one of my most recent examples would be a post called ``A Modern Calvary'' on my blog, about 10 days ago.... a series of hilltop shots taken in about a minute, pre-dawn.

Thanks for the visit and the comment. Like you, I do not use filters, nor do I enhance my images in any way.

aurbie said...

Thanks for the visit, David. I will check out that post of yours.

I am guilty of using filters, however. In newspaper work, what you shoot is what you have to use; no playing allowed. So being able to play with photos on this blog is fun for me.

I have to blame it all on my overactive right brain. Also, I used to paint, so filters give me an extra creative outlet without having having to drag out the paints.

Si's blog said...

Great picture.

Filter, what is a filter? Used to make coffee? Actually do know from physics what filters do - in theory.

Agree about the enhancing. So far, I use the crop tool to improve my composition and because I never seem to get close enough but that is all. Seems like digital jazzing up pictures is good for advertising and the like but candid shots should be candid shots. What do "real" photographers think of things like filters? Digital improvements?

Joanne said...

What a perfect shot that is, and a very interesting house too. Really, when I click and enlarge the photo, that lighting has me just about feel that I am right there.

bARE-eYED sUN said...

this most def a kickass shot!

lite, schmite - - - from subject to composition onto our desktop she goes. :-)

Patty, we agree. there are purists that say enhancements are "damaged" goods, there are also some that will go so far as naming COLOR an enhancement. for these folk, if its not B&W they don't wanna see it.

*sheesh* we know one schmo that decries the digital revolution as "ruining" the field - - - we imagine he'd prefer everyone to build camera-obscuras on their rooftops. :-)

we're a hobbyist, our hands shake, we're half-blind, we wouldn't know an f-stop from a pitstop - - - and we enjoy the heck out of our lil' point-n-shoot.

we don't know from ART but we know what we like when we likes it. and we we LOVE this shot!

finally, kudos to you for NOT stamping the sh*t out of that branch in the upper-right corner; it give the image depth.

sorry, for the rant. :-)

and thanks for sharing,

..
.ero

bARE-eYED sUN said...

oh, and btw, MOTHER AND CHILD rox!

:-)

gigi said...

The lighting seems perfect. I like old houses and when they are vacant I always wonder who use to live there and why did they leave and who owns it now and on and on and on. They leave me with so many questions. I know, I'm crazy like that :)

J9 said...

Patty, you are right, the warm glow of this shot is beautifully reflected!

Missy said...

It's really indeed a picture perfect! I don't even know how to use filter :-) coz maybe I'm just a newbie in photography.

Anonymous said...

There is something haunting about this abandoned house. I think I just want to fix it up, clean it up & see the potential in it!!
Beautiful Photography!!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo

GingerV said...

Patty, love this photo - good light yest but the house has its own story. I think it my favortie so far.

The Pink Birdhouse said...

Some times you have just to stop to smell the roses, or stop to capture that perfect shot that is right before our eyes! Are you sure you don't want to publish some of your photos, they would make a great table-top book! Take care, Debby

Bagman and Butler said...

You are the maestro! Or whatever the femanine word for maestro is...maestriss? Sounds too kinky. Like a woman in leathers with a conductor's baton instead of a whip. But seriously, the light is incredible...reminds me of...damn it...who was that illustrator of children's books back years ago. It will come to me some time. Or Max Earnst.

Unknown said...

this is my first visit to your blog, thanks to RG! Oh, I see B&B visits as well, you do have a wonderful following! I'll be back to read you again soon!
~AM

ancient one said...

Wonderful Shot... love it!!

Casedilla said...

I wish that road wasn't in the photo, ABSOLUTELY wonderful though really :D

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

What a capture!

Girl Tornado said...

You are right, the perfect light in this photo. The house looks like it is trying to tell its story... wonder what that story is?

Thanks for all your comments on my photo blog... this week has been CWAZY and I just haven't had much time for blogging, a first for me! :)