On Taking Assignments #23 - Architecture

I had the opportunity to walk around downtown Portland for a few hours for this assignment.  I don't get to spend much time there, so this was a fun assignment.

As I mentioned in the caption, I was busy scanning ground level for interesting architecture, and after taking a shot looked up to find this great subject.  I really did stop in my tracks when I saw it, partly because it took me a second to figure out what I was seeing.

The reflection fit the building perfectly, balanced within the windows and extending to the upper right corner.  I though it was a mural at first, but figured out that it was a reflection quickly after.

I took two shots of the building and was off to look for some other interesting subjects.  I was able to capture a lot of great images in a short time, but for the architecture assignment, this was the best of the bunch.

On Taking Assignments

I frequently listen to the On Taking Pictures (OTP) podcast, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for good conversation about creativity, especially as it related to photography.  In January 2014 the hosts, Bill Wadman and Jeffery Saddoris, began a new segment of weekly assignments that they gave to listeners.  Results of the assignments are posted on the OTP Google Plus group.  I decided that I would commit myself to the assignments for a year without interruption, and that I would complete each one before the next assignment was announced on the show each Tuesday morning.  My 'On Taking Assignments' blog posts are the culmination of my year-long focus on these assignments.

Ideas and Imagery #70

The light in this scene was terrific, but fleeting.  Spring weather is great to shoot in because there is so much drama in the light.  Quick breaks in the cloud cover, where the sun peeks through completely and you have a large differential in light is a weather condition that I love to find.

This scene benefitted from the hard sunlight that gave shape to the barn and sheep.  It also provided a fair bit of contrast to the dark gray moodiness in the background.

It feels like I've shot just about every old barn in the state, but it never gets old for me.  It's great when these old barns are still being used, signifying land that is being cared for.  For every one of these barns I see in good shape, I see another one or two that are neglected.  It was a treat to find this shot and it's one I really enjoy.

 

On Taking Assignments #22 - Splash

Wildlife photos are hard to pull off.  To get shots that really resonate with people you have to be able to get close, if not in proximity, then at least with a long enough focal length.

While these ducks are technically considered to be wildlife, I think it would be fair to say they are as close to domesticated as it gets without someone actually taking them home.  While they tolerate us humans who ruin their health with bread crumbs, I wouldn't call them friendly.

This male was having nothing to do with this female who was getting very close to his supply of bread.  While I think his behavior is deplorable, I am a bit in debt to him for helping me fulfill this assignment, one for which I didn't have any other ideas for.

On Taking Assignments

I frequently listen to the On Taking Pictures (OTP) podcast, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for good conversation about creativity, especially as it related to photography.  In January 2014 the hosts, Bill Wadman and Jeffery Saddoris, began a new segment of weekly assignments that they gave to listeners.  Results of the assignments are posted on the OTP Google Plus group.  I decided that I would commit myself to the assignments for a year without interruption, and that I would complete each one before the next assignment was announced on the show each Tuesday morning.  My 'On Taking Assignments' blog posts are the culmination of my year-long focus on these assignments.

On Taking Assignments #21 - Summertime

There are times where I spent the entire week of an assignment pouring over ideas in my head with very little inspiration.  When the deadline finally arrived on those weeks where I didn't have anything on the last day, I generally came through to deliver a compelling shot.

However there were a few times where I just didn't produce to the level that I wanted for an assignment.  This shot of my daughter's garden makes me think of summer, but for the assignment, I was never really happy with it.

There are just going to be weeks where you aren't on your game, and those are the weeks that can make or break a project depending on how you handle them.  When you settle for good enough you have two choices...get better or let it eat at you and ruin your momentum.

I've never really been one to let something like this get me down.  Don't get me wrong, this shot still bothers me when I see it with my other shots from the assignments, but I am able to let it go.

The bright side of this shot is that it was a turning point for me on those last days where I had nothing.  I got better at making something out of nothing from this point forward.

On Taking Assignments

I frequently listen to the On Taking Pictures (OTP) podcast, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for good conversation about creativity, especially as it related to photography.  In January 2014 the hosts, Bill Wadman and Jeffery Saddoris, began a new segment of weekly assignments that they gave to listeners.  Results of the assignments are posted on the OTP Google Plus group.  I decided that I would commit myself to the assignments for a year without interruption, and that I would complete each one before the next assignment was announced on the show each Tuesday morning.  My 'On Taking Assignments' blog posts are the culmination of my year-long focus on these assignments.

Ideas and Imagery #68

Sometimes a subject doesn't need to be as apparent for a photo to be successful.  I'm not sure that this photo has a definitive subject.  I think if you asked 10 people to tell you what this photo is about, you'd probably get a few different answers.

Does a photo need to be about something or have an obvious subject to be successful?  I would have said yes not too long ago, but I am softening on that stance a bit.  I still think my best work generally has simple and compelling subjects, but I feel there is room for shots like this one.

There are more questions here than answers, and I think that intrigue is what makes this shot appealing.

One question I had to answer was why I photoshopped the sign upside down.  It's interesting that the person assumed that I manipulated the sign to add interest instead of assuming that I took the shot because I though the upside down sign was interesting, which was the case.

This style of photo that focuses on shape and composition is something that I have been working on regularly, and will become a new theme in my work as I start to move through material more often on this site.  It will be a nice departure from the rest of my work, and a great way for me to introduce new ideas into my work.

On Taking Assignments #20 - Shadows

This set of stairs had such a geometric quality to it.  I love shots with lots of shapes and angles.  There isn't much to talk about here in terms of subject matter, but it is visually complex.

Here the shadows make the image.  From the border on the bottom and left to the diagonals through the image, to the face of each step, the shadows add dimension and keep all these similar materials from looking the same.  Here the shadows make the shot what it is.

On Taking Assignments

I frequently listen to the On Taking Pictures (OTP) podcast, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for good conversation about creativity, especially as it related to photography.  In January 2014 the hosts, Bill Wadman and Jeffery Saddoris, began a new segment of weekly assignments that they gave to listeners.  Results of the assignments are posted on the OTP Google Plus group.  I decided that I would commit myself to the assignments for a year without interruption, and that I would complete each one before the next assignment was announced on the show each Tuesday morning.  My 'On Taking Assignments' blog posts are the culmination of my year-long focus on these assignments.

Ideas and Imagery #67

I was asked by another photographer how a shot like this comes about.  As much as I would like to take credit for setting this up the way I wanted it to be, I think it is obvious that this shot came about partially of it's own accord.

How many people can cue up a flock of geese on demand when they need one?  I unfortunately cannot, so I will tell you that what brought me here was everything but the geese.

I had previously passed these shrubs that were planted alongside one of the most typical industrial style buildings in my area.  There are 5 buildings similar to this one in close proximity and the hedges are something straight from a Dr. Seuss story.  After passing them, I circled in for a better look.

I made four or five different compositions of the shrubs.  In the middle of making my photos I heard the geese coming from the East.  I searched for them, and as soon as I saw them crest over the building I started to snap some pictures.

The moment was over very quickly and after it had passed I went about finishing my shoot and then went home for dinner and time with my family.

After reviewing the shots, I was pleased with the results.  I packed up my gear and headed back home.  It was great to see the final result which is what you see above.

To bring this shot and my workflow into perspective, what I told my friend was that of course I didn't plan for the geese, but I was ready for them when they appeared.  The result was a shot that I was really excited with that never would have been taken had I not turned the car around, had I been without my gear, or had I not kept my mind open to what the scene had to offer.

In essence, I find in my photography that scenes are everywhere, especially when you aren't carrying your camera.  As a result, I carry my gear with me 90% of the time so that when the opportunity arises I at least can start by pulling out my camera.  The other keys to getting shots like these are always being aware of what surrounds you and remaining flexible to new opportunities in the field.

In other words, luck favors the prepared.

 

On Taking Assignments #19 - Golden Hour

As far as assignments go, Golden Hour was one that was relatively easy to shoot.  As long as the sun is out, there isn't really anything that you can't shoot.

I chose to look for landscape representations of this assignment as I was already out shooting a specific landscape involving the moonrise and this was a logical extension of that trip.

I'm fortunate enough to live in an area that was once predominantly oak trees and grassland, and while much of this habitat has been intentionally or unintentionally altered, there are many pockets of oak trees remaining.

These two scenes caught my eye for different reasons.  The top image captured the classic shape of an oak in the evening haze before sunset.  I love the soft light on the grass and the farm in the background that emphasizes why many people are drawn to rural living.

The second tree depicting numerous trees in a farm field caught my eye because of the shape and relative spacing of the trees to each other.  I love the varying heights of the trees and the almost equal gaps between them.  The position of the sun on the horizon adds a fifth element to the frame and balances out the composition.  The warm glow creating silhouettes around the trees added some richness to the scene as well.

While not a stretch artistically, I was happy with my results and ready to catch the moonrise shortly thereafter.

On Taking Assignments

I frequently listen to the On Taking Pictures (OTP) podcast, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for good conversation about creativity, especially as it related to photography.  In January 2014 the hosts, Bill Wadman and Jeffery Saddoris, began a new segment of weekly assignments that they gave to listeners.  Results of the assignments are posted on the OTP Google Plus group.  I decided that I would commit myself to the assignments for a year without interruption, and that I would complete each one before the next assignment was announced on the show each Tuesday morning.  My 'On Taking Assignments' blog posts are the culmination of my year-long focus on these assignments.

Ideas and Imagery #66

I wonder if this is like TV for birds.  Are they sitting here for entertainment, or just resting.  There has to be better places to hang out that are more restful.

I am sure the falls produces an abundance of food for these cormorants.  I like how the very large log and the reflection of the smaller log appear to mirror each other as does the small log and the falls.  It makes for an odd horizontal symmetry.  It is not a flashy photo, but I like it nonetheless.