Category Archives: Landscape

Photo of the Week – May Weller

Sunset at Venice FL – and More

May Weller - Florida Sunset

May Weller - Florida Sunset

Every photographer at one time or another will attempt to capture a spectacular sunset. It may be the most photographed of all of nature’s glorious natural paintings. But therein lies a problem-how to stand out from the crowd.  Perhaps this capture provides a good example.  May was at the scene and noticed a couple of surfers trying to ride the apparently calm waves.  With her camera ready, she waited until one walked into the scene and snapped the shutter.  An otherwise empty space now had a focal point in the lower left to balance the sun and pier on the right.  Here also is a perfect example of proper and effective use of the Rule of Thirds.  The rose/orange reflection in the wet sand provides an additional resting area for the eye in the lower right and the pale color dancing on the waves rounds out the completed scene.  One other point to consider.  Think about how much less effective the shot would have been had the surfer been walking out of rather than into the frame.  Click here to view a quickly Photoshopped version showing exactly that.  Does this reversal lessen the impact?

 

Photo of the Week – Anita Hale

This image is another example of the innovative and creative uses of a camera. It manages to give a positive result even though it consists largely of overblown highlights and blocked shadows, either of which can be fatal in many scenes. For both to occur simultaneously and yet produce a lovely image is rare indeed. Only the center “creek” area might be said to be “properly” exposed. The stark contrast between the bright snow in the foreground and the sky in the background with the black dead weeds make it comparable to a woodcut. The silhouetted crane is undoubtedly the focal point.

Whether the image succeeds or not is for each individual to decide for himself.

Heron on Grassy Creek - Anita Hale

Heron on Grassy Creek - Anita Hale

Recent member Anita Hale gets credit for this photograph. She is a native of Grassy Creek (where this shot was taken on Christmas day of 2009) but spends her winters in Miami. She has no recollection of herons being seen in the area when she was growing up. As with other members who fly south for the winter, we look forward to meeting her this summer at the Arts Council.

Nikon D5000
Shutter Speed: 1/125
F-Stop: f/5.6
ISO: 900
Focal Length: 300.0mm
Flash: Did Not Fire