Wood Studies
16th May 2015
Practice improves photography. There is technical practice which focuses on the image capturing elements and then there is seeing practice.
Seeing practice is a discipline which involves the mindful search for shape, pattern, texture and colour. I tend to practice this by stopping on a walk and trying to make a photograph from the most immediate environment. It is not always successful but I do find that it develops the detailed attention which can be applied when there is a real opportunity for a great image. The best way to describe this is being able to zone in and many of my favourite images were made when I felt zoned into the photography.
Occasionally, I find that the seeing practice exercises produces an image or two that are very satisfying and this was the case when I decided to make an image from a wood pile in Sherwood Forest.
I started with a pile of chippings and then moved on to some cut logs. Ultimately, I started studying the cut marks on the individual logs and came away with the following results:
These were the pre-shots that led to the final studies:
Seeing practice is a discipline which involves the mindful search for shape, pattern, texture and colour. I tend to practice this by stopping on a walk and trying to make a photograph from the most immediate environment. It is not always successful but I do find that it develops the detailed attention which can be applied when there is a real opportunity for a great image. The best way to describe this is being able to zone in and many of my favourite images were made when I felt zoned into the photography.
Occasionally, I find that the seeing practice exercises produces an image or two that are very satisfying and this was the case when I decided to make an image from a wood pile in Sherwood Forest.
I started with a pile of chippings and then moved on to some cut logs. Ultimately, I started studying the cut marks on the individual logs and came away with the following results:
These were the pre-shots that led to the final studies: