Month: <span>March 2017</span>

Published March 20, 2017 by

Photos remind me of songs

music, songs, treble clef, sound, vision,
Treble Clef, Halifax, NS; 2012               © Avard Woolaver       

With the digital revolution, there are more and more photos being taken. It can seem that any particular photo has already been taken numerous times. An interesting piece by Teju Cole in the New York Times relates that photos we see can remind us of other photos. In my case, they often remind me of songs.

A photo of Route 14 in Hants County, Nova Scotia, inevitably brings to mind John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”  Railroad tracks remind me of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” Strip malls remind me of Talking Heads “Once in a Lifetime,” and springtime calls forth “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles.

Here’s a finding that interests me: “Brain process involved in sight have found the visual cortex also uses information gleaned from the ears as well as the eyes when viewing the world.” This is according to a team of neuroscientists at the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Glasgow. Professor Lars Muckli, who led the research, explained in an article for their university magazine, “Sounds create visual imagery, mental images, and automatic projections.”

Sometimes it’s the imagery in the song; sometimes it’s linked to a memory associated with the song.

“Don’t you wonder sometimes ’bout sound and vision,” David Bowie asked us in the song “Sound and Vision.” Yes, we do.

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Photo tip:  Think of a few of your favourite songs and try to take photos that match them.

Black and White Blogging Documentary Observation Photography Social Landscape

2012 Avard Woolaver black and white found objects Nova Scotia observation sound treble clef vision

Published March 17, 2017 by

Preparation is important for travel photography

travel, travel photography, Nepal, Annapurna,
Lumle, Nepal; 1989                                                              © Avard Woolaver

Don’t you feel inspired whenever you travel? Seeing the world with “fresh eyes” provides wonderful photo opportunities, and you may get some of your best photos when visiting a new place. A little research and preparation in advance can make for a more trouble-free experience when photographing.

Photographer Jim Richardson relates, “Philosophically, photographers seem to divide along that fault line. On one side are those who desire only to be in the moment. For them, forethought only distorts perception. On the other side are the planners. Most National Geographic photographers I know do both: research extensively to prepare their schedule (and their minds) and then become existentially in-the-moment once on site.”

Some of the preparations may involve looking through websites, photo or guide books, or Google Maps to get a sense of what the place looks like and to learn good shooting locations. You can also research seasonal events in the destination, so you don’t miss an important festival or event. Also, with social media, you can meet up with other photographers who are native to the area. It’s a great way to learn the ins and outs of a place, and connect with like-minded people.

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Photo tip: Connect with other photographers on Flickr or Facebook to join a photo walk. It’s a great way to socialize and learn new things.

Colour Documentary Film Photography Photography Social Landscape Travel

1989 Annapurna Avard Woolaver colour documentary film photography Nepal travel travel photography trekking

Published March 16, 2017 by

Candid versus posed photos

candid, posed, portrait, street, Toronto, Allan Gardens,
Allan Gardens, Toronto; 1982                           © Avard Woolaver

You have probably been in a street environment where there’s an opportunity to take a candid portrait and you know that calling attention to the camera will spoil the moment. What to do? Many factors come into it; the country you’re in, the purpose of your photograph, whether you think the person objects to having their photo taken. It depends very much on the circumstances–but the bottom line is to have respect for the subject.

Magnum photographer Carolyn Drake relates, “It depends on the circumstances. There is a pleasure in disappearing behind the camera on a crowded city street, and sometimes making the picture before the conversation makes for a more surprising picture. But if there’s someone I want to pose or spend time with, or who for some other reason it seems to make sense to ask, then I will. It’s a judgement call.”

In my experience, I have had success in engaging with the person, and asking, “May I take your photo?” Then I may look for more candid moments as I take some photos. Spending a little time with people and engaging with them may lead to more authentic portraits.

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Photo tip: Try making the subject’s environment part of the portrait. These details can help form a narrative about the person.

Black and White Documentary Photography Portrait Social Landscape

1982 Allan Gardens Avard Woolaver black and white candid documentary portrait posed Toronto Toronto Days

Published March 15, 2017 by

Forest bathing / Shinrin-yoku

forest bathing, shinrin-yoku, forest, winter, Nova Scotia
Forest Bathing, Newport, NS; 2017            © Avard Woolaver

The Japanese have many terms that we don’t use in English. One of my favourites is “forest bathing”– a leisurely visit to a forest. It is becoming more widely practiced in North America but has been a stress management activity in Japan since 1982. Ben Page, founder of Shinrin Yoku LA, remarked in a USA Today story, “A hike is generally oriented as a journey from point A to point B, whereas forest bathing is not about reaching a physical destination. The destination in a forest-bathing walk is more like a mental space of effortless relaxation and awareness.”

Studies have shown that exposure to nature creates calming neuro-psychological effects leading to reductions in stress, anger, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness. It’s a good reason to take a walk in the woods whenever possible. I’m fortunate to live near a beautiful forest where I can get some exercise, calm my mind, and take some photos.

It’s pleasurable to walk in the forest, even in winter. There are numerous animal tracks in the snow, as well as interesting ice formations, and plenty of crisp, fresh air.

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Photo tip: Taking forest photos in a relaxed stare of mind is quite different from the immediacy of capturing a moment. Take note of how your vision changes when you are forest bathing.

Blogging Colour Landscape Light Observation Photography

Avard Woolaver forest forest bathing Nova Scotia photography winter

Published March 14, 2017 by

What is in the viewfinder really matters

Travelhome and the Range, Coldbrook, NS; 2017    © Avard Woolaver

 

It seems that good photos have just the right amount of content—not too busy, not too sparse. One famous quote from National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson, advises, “If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” And if you happen to be standing in front of some interesting stuff, there is always the question of how much to include in the frame.

American photographer Lee Friedlander, famous for his pioneering photos of the urban social landscape, has a talent for filling his photos with visual content without making them seem overly crowded. Eric Kim (whom I also cited last week) writes on his blog, ”Friedlander was very conscious of how he framed his scenes, and wanted to add more complexity to his shots through adding content of interest.”

Lee Friedlander accomplished this by using a wide-angle lens—usually a 35mm. That way objects in the foreground can remain in focus along with background elements. Though complexity is not always the answer, it certainly adds interest.

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Photo tip: If you have a wide-angle lens, try shooting with only that lens for a week or two. Make note of how this perspective changes the content in your photos.

Blogging Colour New Topographics Observation Photography Social Landscape

2017 Avard Woolaver Canon Rebel T3 colour content documentary Nova Scotia photography The Image Journey wide angle