Expanding Your Photographic Vision
Can you guess what this unusual image is? For a hint, the photo is from the same subject of a previous article titled Simplicity. Even though both photos incorporate red and yellow as their dominant colors, those are not the true colors of this particular photo. Some fun experimentation led me to alter the original colors quite dramatically, and I liked this color rendition.
If you consider other components often found on this subject (keeping in mind the colors are different than what’s shown in this photo), you just might be able to guess the source of this close-up shot. Try pushing your mind beyond what you think you’re seeing in the photo, and see if you can come up with a few guesses.
If you’re stumped, or are in a hurry, keep reading. I’ll also share THREE TIPS on expanding your photographic vision. CLICK to read more.
Classic Lines
This Oldsmobile is one of a series of classic autos regularly parked in front of a local soda shop, fitting right in with the restaurant’s retro atmosphere.
Interesting lines, reflections, and colors made this image fun to play with. It also seemed like a natural candidate for the photographic technique used on it known as HDR, which is short for High Dynamic Range.
If you’d like to know more about HDR, please mention that in a comment. Perhaps we’ll explore the HDR photographic technique in more detail.
Simplicity
This photo is of an old Chevrolet truck parked in a field near a local shopping center. The red is what first drew my attention. Besides the color red itself being a powerful component, I notice several other design elements that make this an appealing image.
The grass stalk is positioned on a third of the image, demonstrating what’s commonly referred to as the “Rule of Thirds,” a “rule” which is sometimes helpful in arranging a composition. The stalk’s yellowish color also nicely contrasts with the red door.
Then there’s the slightly bowed reflection of the stalk. It not only falls on a third, but it demonstrates the design principle of repetition.
The other lines and rust elsewhere in the image, as well as the rusted bolt, help break up the remaining space, asymetrically. Similarly, the water drops near the top of the image add visual interest to the dark recessed area that they interrupt.
The more I look at this image, the more intriguing it becomes. It’s easy to overlook simple scenes, yet they are often some of the most visually compelling.
