Group f11

In 2008 three photographers, starting out on their careers, decided to keep in contact through a blog page in which they could share ideas, post images and ask each other advice. This has since mutated into a web space where those photographers still meet, but so too do their students and other like-minded photographers.

If anybody would like to join all you need to do is email the blog administrator, Emil
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Whether or not...


Sorry bout the title but someone had to... .

At first I thought this was gonna be (yet!) another non contributing month for me, but then I was phoned by Business Report at lunchtime asking for an image of any dry river beds in the Eastern Cape due to the drought. So once I got looking ('cause I didn't much feel like whipping out to the Kariega and trying to get something to them by 4pm!) I found some stuff of the storms river and then I remembered that I had taken this on New Year's day. (It rained! And there was a full moon! Or would have been if the clouds weren't a gazillion gallactic kilometers deep!)

So I figured I would post this, knowing that it is pushing the brief ('s no snow I am afraid!) I have been wanting to try a few panoramics for a while and especially some vertical ones. So here is a first attempt. It is a merge of two images taken at f16 at 1/4 sec and at 38mm focal length (non full frame-sigh!). I don't know whether or not it works (for weather or not). Personally I would have liked more mud and more foreground, but I like the conflict between drizzly clouds, wet weeds and cracked mud. Let us know your thoughts (well, the ones pertaining to this blog anyway..!)

And one day soon I will post a comment on Neil's documentary stuff. There was so much bowing and passing (you can get up now ;) how can I not?
Paul.

2 comments:

Emil von Maltitz said...

Howzit Paul

I like the vertical pano treatment of the shot. I'm not convinced about the grass in the foreground though (It does lead the eye into the frame and compliments the curve of rocks, but I find it a little too 'busy'). The contrast between the cracked brown soil and the wet rocks and obviously overcast misty conditions is great. the rocks in particular draw my eye and I like the way they form a sort of curved shape. Looking forward to more

E

Geert - Nick said...

Hi Paul,

Nice post. I want to try vertical panoramas too! I like the concept a lot. Regarding your image, I must agree with Emil about the grass. It is too attracting to my eye so I miss out on the mud and seeing the purpose of the image (showing the contrast between wet weather and dry mud). Not your fault of course, but it would have been nice if there would have been more mud so contrast would have been stronger. Lastly, to be honest, the watermark destroys the picture for me, as it obscures the main concept in the photo (the mud) even more. I would have preferred a smaller, less intrusive watermark to enjoy the photo fully and be able to judge/comment on it.
That said, I like the concept a lot and should the contrast between the cracked mud and the wet weather be more 'visible' I think the image would work extremely well, especially with the vertical panorama.

Kind regards, Nick