Initially what caught my eye in this scene was the long natural wood railing/deck under the bright sunlight. Later I realize it probably also appeals to my natural attraction to paths.
Taken near the middle of the day, this setting served as a good exercise in balancing exposure between deep shadows and bright sunlit highlights. As far as alleyways go, this one is nice. But, at night it would be very dark and probably not a good place to stroll.
As I’m recognizing personal preferences (paths) in photographic subjects I’m also gaining some understanding of preferences in my blog posting practices, including:
A need to know and/or understand:
If you’ve visited this blog before and have read some of my posts you’ll notice that I often give information or historic facts about the subjects of the featured photos. This isn’t something which was planned as a reoccurring feature of this blog, it’s come about as a natural extension of my own need — a need to know and understand.
When I photograph something unusual or unknown, at least to me, I’ll do research to satisfy my curiosity, to understand. It’s the results of that research I often share when writing an accompanying blog post. Yes, sharing seems important as well.
A need for connection:
I’ve also discovered I have a need to feel a supporting relationship or connection between the photos and accompanying written material. This applies if I write the material or if I post poems, quotes or verses from others I find interesting — I feel a certain need for connection between verse and image.
This doesn’t mean that every blog post needs to talk directly to the photos it may contain but the photos should in some way support or enhance the subject matter and vica-versa.
To my mind if I post a photo only because I like it and then write something that has absolutely nothing to do with it I might as well post each separately — actually I believe that would be better.
While both of these issues seem to fit some personal organizational need, I don’t want them to become an “alleyway” restricting my creativeness. To that point, I’m not “obsessive-compulsive” about these “rules”, at least not yet. ;-)
Note: In this please understand I don’t mean I feel a need to always have text with a photo or that I need to explain my photos. Actually it would be much easier to only post photos without any text — easier, but not be as fulfilling. I do feel if you go to the trouble of writing text and posting a photo with it, it’s probably better if the two have some, however slight, level of association. Readers should be left thinking…”that photo fits.”
It don’t matter to me, my friend. Post all you want and I will wade through it. This post follows closely to Paul Lester’s post about how much context we can attach to images verses allowing images to speak for themselves.
I have posted images and not text as well as post text only. Whatever works. It’s our blog and hopefully we use them to express ourselves in our own way.
Monte, I’ll try and not make you “wade through” too much of it. ;-)
Yes, I too love paths and love to play with how they interact in the photo and the view. Interesting comments you posted here about the text. When I first started my photoblog, there were to be no words, using the statement – a picture is worth a 1,000 words as my guide. I am finding now, that words- explanations, descriptions, etc are now finding their way in the the blog under the photo.
IMO – A photographer as an artist is often driven to make photos. While the photo can stand on its own, I believe it adds to the depth of the photo and I know it enhances my own education and development if some of what was driving the photographer, their experience, at the moment they pressed the shutter can be shared.
I enjoy your text under the photo.
For me, its the story you so frequently include that makes the image come alive and adds to the experience.
Steve, I appreciate that!
Well, Earl. You know that I agree with your take on the blog. :-) Sometimes, I just like to ponder things aloud. Personally, I really like the information and photos that you provide. I’m one of those wonderers, too. When I look at something, especially something no longer used, I often wonder what it used to be. Further, when I see old buildings, I want to go inside.
You’ve given me a kick in the pants many times, though you didn’t know it, to go and explore those old places. As a matter of fact, I might grab the camera and do some shooting at hight noon today. The location where I work is full of such places. I could spend months exploring. There’s lots of rust, peeling paint, warped wood, etc. Lots of military history.
Keep doing what you do, my friend. I know what you do it for you, but you do help others. Thanks!
Paul, I appreciate the kind words. I’d love to see you do some photos around the area where you work. It sounds like lots of possibilities there.
I’ll keep doing what I do because I don’t know how to do anything else — you do the same! :-)