I very much agree with the rule "Less is More" when it comes to food photography. There was a time when food photographs looked like Sunday brunch at a resort hotel. "Let's show them everything we can." I believe, though, that the simple elegance of focusing in on a single subject is more powerful because your eyes are not dancing about trying to land.
Michael's dad took us all on a cruise in the Caribbean and got us a cabin with a balcony off the back of the boat. To me, this was the very best thing of the entire experience. One evening, as the sun was going down, I got totally obsessed with the patterns in the water that the engine of the ship was making as we pulled out of port. My family is used to me sometimes disappearing into my own world with my face pressed against my viewfinder--but it seemed Mom was taking way too many photos off the back of the ship. When we returned and I looked at the dozens of these ocean images I was glad I had taken them but didn't know what to do with them. I found I couldn't just pick one to represent the experience. 3 together side by side evokes motion--like a film strip. Now what would ten images together look like? Hmmm. Another good rule: "Know When To Stop."
dadekian
Too true. I find that when I start a trip, especially to somewhere I've never been and I'm excited about, that I have to relearn to be discerning. If I average 200 photos on day one, 25% are really something I should have made, and by day 10 I'd be making 50 keepers. With digital I'm getting better at controlling this to keep the editing time down afterward.
Kerry Nolan
I'm sure you know the power of odd numbers when displaying things like these lovely photos. I would place them side by side, framed in impossibly thin black, against a light wall.
Beautiful work, Donna.
Skip
I love the triptych. For me it accomplishes the motion you wanted to convey. More images might make better science, but I'd be surprised if they made better art.
Melinda Khan
I love the water pictures what's that toward the surface? Fish?
Babette
I know exactly what you mean and I think the idea of three together is wonderful.
The Italian Dish
The triptych was a great idea - really gives you the feeling of action. Beautiful photos!
Donna
I didn't see any fish--they must be down there though.
On Sep 16, 2009, at 10:05 AM, typepad@sixapart.com wrote:
Andy Coan
Lovely patterns and colours; I adore stuff like this. I must also say I've never gotten back from a trip and thought "I've taken too many pictures." 🙂
Rose
Hah! The Sunday brunch analogy is spot on. I've always been fascinated by watching movements of the ocean myself. It's completely calming.
Donna
I agree-the more photos you shoot—the more to choose from—BUT—and this is a BIG BUT— Only when you are traveling alone! When you're with others, especially your kids, you can miss a whole lot walking around with a lens between you and the interactive world. Sometimes I say to myself, "This will just have to be a mental image" because I don't want to miss out on being with, and the memories ofnbeing with, the people I love.
On Sep 16, 2009, at 11:30 AM, typepad@sixapart.com wrote:
Natalie Sztern
So agree Donna...(this might have been sent twice so I will shorten this version)
mattatouille
love the idea of a filmstrip on a blog...i might use that. definitely agree, I think that in this age when it's so easy to take hundreds of photos, it's so good just to snap one or two and then be happy with what you have. then when it comes to posting or publishing, use the best that you have.
Kate in the NW
Thank goodness for digital... about 9 years ago we were in Japan for 2 months (in the autumn) and it took some EXTREME self-control to keep it to a mere 85 36-exposure rolls.
Of course, now I need my own server just for the family photos...LOL...but at least the poor planet is not soaking in all the toxic fluids from film production and developing...
Donna
Kate, your comment about the toxic fluids really hits home with me. When I think of the thousands of rolls of film and the chemistry I've used to process them. . . I shutter at the thought of all that going back into our water supply. Sigh.
On Sep 16, 2009, at 11:24 PM, typepad@sixapart.com wrote: