Wow Gill. I think you certainly captured the essence that you were after. I love the composition of #4 very much but my favourite (the one that “speaks” to me) is #3. The red was important to your message and it is so vibrant in this shot. I agree that setting off with an aim in mind is very important but it can be disheartening when that aim cannot be achieved, especially if nothing else presents itself in its place. That can be my experience anyway!
Thank you very much for your comments Sian and it is good to hear your reasons behind your favourite image. I really liked the red in this shot because it does look a bit like an open wound, and that was the feeling I wanted to achieve. However I wasn't sure if the composition was strong enough. I think it is always difficult to judge our own images. Thank you for helping. 🙂
I think telling a story with photography is so much more difficult than it seems, and is something (at least for me) that has slowly evolved over time! A really insightful post Gill, thankyou.
I too, struggle with the creativity part. I am more reactionary. But the important part for me is just being in the landscape and absorbing the beauty of it. If I don't take the most creative photo of it, I might be disappointed a bit, but just having the opportunity to be in a special and beautiful place is enough.
What a great set of images, Gill, and it was really helpful to understand your thought process for the project. For me image #3 is just lovely. I can see why #4 gets closest though. Regardless, a lovely set of images and a lovely thoughtful read as well.
Hi Gill. Nice shots I really prefer the sunrise shot love the colours. Of the fallen it’s image 1 for me. I am certainly reactive in shooting l don’t really set out to achieve a certain target shot, it’s very much what ever takes my fancy. I think that in future I will definitely give it a go to set out to achieve a certain type of shot. As always food for thought when out with my camera.
Thank you very much for your comments Philip, it was good to hear which images you like and why. I think sometimes its good to go out with a vision in mind, just as long as you are prepared to adapt if things don't quite go to plan. 🙂
A lovely thought provoking piece Gill. I've found following you that I do plan more, especially after a walk or workshop. Looking at the moments taken I feel the need to revisit a place to improve a certain image. In fact thinking about it I believe do every time which means maybe I'm not focused enough the first time around. I must also say that i cannot stop looking at The Fallen 3, it is simply spectacular!
I really enjoy your writing about what you’re photographing, letting us know what you don’t feel succeeds, and what you feel gets closer to what you want to say. If I’ looking at the images without knowing what you want to say, though, I can find one (the first one for example) quite fascinating, with the tangle of the branches easing up the minimal nature of the scene, in that early light. In the last set, I think the last is the most successful as a composition which, to me, doesn’t say so much about the tragedy of a fallen tree but rather something about longing, reaching for something unattainable. The beauty, to me, is also its own subject matter. One ore thing — I love that you go out again and again, to the same place. My thinking about that is that maybe the place is waiting to show itself to you! Lovely work, whatever the means
Thank you so much for your comments Bonnie, it was really good to read your thoughts and I love the idea that the place was waiting to show me something. I also like how you interpreted image #4 and can see the idea of reaching out for something unobtainable which I think also fits in with what I am trying to say with these images (- coastal erosion, climate change and a longing for a solution??)
Wow, these are great. To be honest I liked your first attempt just fine, but the images from the latest attempt are just so much better and surprising, too. My favorite is #3, but any of the four was worth the extra effort.
Thank you for sharing your "process" Gill - it is always fascinating to learn how a photographer brings intention to their work. The fallen #4 is a superb image.
I like the old image of the tree too!! Lovely new images of the trees, love those red tones and the grey surreal background.. I have always liked to react to a location and weather, I’m not one for planning.
You certainly have achieved your objective. Image#3 is top notch for colour with image#4 having more interest in terms of your eye wanting to explore. I really enjoyed viewing some very different images from a location I know but have visited only a few times.
I find being creative is challenging but perhaps when you’ve been to a place a few times you want to get something different, and that hunting eye switches on. You did say this set was the result of four visits so it’s impressive you had created a vision and an objective with something specific in mind.
I can’t say I plan in terms of intent, it’s definitely reactive. It would be more wishful thinking and in the moment. I am always trying though.
Thank you very much for your comments Terry and I am glad you enjoyed the images especially as you are familiar with the location. I think its always good to go back and see what else we can do with a place.
I think it's difficult to have a vision for what we want to produce when we are visiting new locations, it is much easier when we are familiar with somewhere and I think this is when the really interesting images can be made - when we really know a place.
Most of the time my photography is reactive, but I think for projects and bodies of work it is much better to have a vision and some intent. It's good to keep trying though and you have some lovely images in your portfolio. 🙂
Another very interesting read. I don't always have an image in mind when I go out but when I do I like the challenge of trying to achieve what I had in mind. I have a series of images that I would like to take for your Connection project so it will be interesting to see how that goes.
When I first viewed your images it was the 3rd one that drew my attention because of the red bleeding from the trunk but on my second viewing it was definitely the 4th one. The trunk appeared to be reaching out to protect the branches in front of it. Both captured what you were after.
Thank you very much for your comments Rosey and it was good to hear your thoughts about the images. I like the red on the 3rd image and the composition on the 4th so I am a bit torn, but glad to hear that you think they both achieve my vision.
I look forward to hearing more about your ideas for the connection project.
I’m a bit long in the tooth now, but if it happens, I’ll credit ya on the cover of our first LP … … (that’s a hint of how long any remaining teeth are!) 😉
Although your text is beautiful, I believe that these trees speak by themselves. Very calming, nurturing and worth of admiration for what nature can produce, including you, of course:)
Hi Gill. I really like the sunrise shot, but for me fallen #3 is the pick of the bunch - a fantastic image. I don’t tend to have pre-conceived ideas on creativity but I’m definitely trying to actively develop and prioritise that side of my photography. It’s what makes images stand out more I think and these certainly do that!
Thank you very much for your comments David and good to hear which image you preferred.
I think having a vision for what you want to produce definitely helps with projects and storytelling and it pays to become familiar with the locations your want to work in. I hope you enjoy developing that side of your photography.
Wow Gill. I think you certainly captured the essence that you were after. I love the composition of #4 very much but my favourite (the one that “speaks” to me) is #3. The red was important to your message and it is so vibrant in this shot. I agree that setting off with an aim in mind is very important but it can be disheartening when that aim cannot be achieved, especially if nothing else presents itself in its place. That can be my experience anyway!
Thank you very much for your comments Sian and it is good to hear your reasons behind your favourite image. I really liked the red in this shot because it does look a bit like an open wound, and that was the feeling I wanted to achieve. However I wasn't sure if the composition was strong enough. I think it is always difficult to judge our own images. Thank you for helping. 🙂
I really like image #1.
I think telling a story with photography is so much more difficult than it seems, and is something (at least for me) that has slowly evolved over time! A really insightful post Gill, thankyou.
Thank you very much Hayley, I am glad you enjoyed it.
I too, struggle with the creativity part. I am more reactionary. But the important part for me is just being in the landscape and absorbing the beauty of it. If I don't take the most creative photo of it, I might be disappointed a bit, but just having the opportunity to be in a special and beautiful place is enough.
Thank you very much for your comments Alicia and I agree. Being out in the landscape is the most enjoyable part for me too.
What a great set of images, Gill, and it was really helpful to understand your thought process for the project. For me image #3 is just lovely. I can see why #4 gets closest though. Regardless, a lovely set of images and a lovely thoughtful read as well.
Thank you very much for your comments Michael. I am glad you enjoyed the article and it was good to hear which images resonated with you.
Hi Gill. Nice shots I really prefer the sunrise shot love the colours. Of the fallen it’s image 1 for me. I am certainly reactive in shooting l don’t really set out to achieve a certain target shot, it’s very much what ever takes my fancy. I think that in future I will definitely give it a go to set out to achieve a certain type of shot. As always food for thought when out with my camera.
Thank you very much for your comments Philip, it was good to hear which images you like and why. I think sometimes its good to go out with a vision in mind, just as long as you are prepared to adapt if things don't quite go to plan. 🙂
A lovely thought provoking piece Gill. I've found following you that I do plan more, especially after a walk or workshop. Looking at the moments taken I feel the need to revisit a place to improve a certain image. In fact thinking about it I believe do every time which means maybe I'm not focused enough the first time around. I must also say that i cannot stop looking at The Fallen 3, it is simply spectacular!
Thank you very much for your comments Ian, I am glad you enjoyed the article and it was good to hear which was your favourite image.
I think it is always good to return to locations and we can always improve on shots no matter how focused we were the first time around. 🙂
I really enjoy your writing about what you’re photographing, letting us know what you don’t feel succeeds, and what you feel gets closer to what you want to say. If I’ looking at the images without knowing what you want to say, though, I can find one (the first one for example) quite fascinating, with the tangle of the branches easing up the minimal nature of the scene, in that early light. In the last set, I think the last is the most successful as a composition which, to me, doesn’t say so much about the tragedy of a fallen tree but rather something about longing, reaching for something unattainable. The beauty, to me, is also its own subject matter. One ore thing — I love that you go out again and again, to the same place. My thinking about that is that maybe the place is waiting to show itself to you! Lovely work, whatever the means
Thank you so much for your comments Bonnie, it was really good to read your thoughts and I love the idea that the place was waiting to show me something. I also like how you interpreted image #4 and can see the idea of reaching out for something unobtainable which I think also fits in with what I am trying to say with these images (- coastal erosion, climate change and a longing for a solution??)
Wow, these are great. To be honest I liked your first attempt just fine, but the images from the latest attempt are just so much better and surprising, too. My favorite is #3, but any of the four was worth the extra effort.
Thank you very much for your comments Michael, it was good to hear your thoughts on the images.
Thank you for sharing your "process" Gill - it is always fascinating to learn how a photographer brings intention to their work. The fallen #4 is a superb image.
Thank you very much for your comments James. It is good to hear your thoughts especially on a tree image as I think you do them so well.
I like the old image of the tree too!! Lovely new images of the trees, love those red tones and the grey surreal background.. I have always liked to react to a location and weather, I’m not one for planning.
Thank you very much for your comments Jon, its good to hear your thoughts on the images.
I am usually more reactive with my photography but sometimes I like the challenge of going out with a vision in mind - it doesn't always work though!🙂
You certainly have achieved your objective. Image#3 is top notch for colour with image#4 having more interest in terms of your eye wanting to explore. I really enjoyed viewing some very different images from a location I know but have visited only a few times.
I find being creative is challenging but perhaps when you’ve been to a place a few times you want to get something different, and that hunting eye switches on. You did say this set was the result of four visits so it’s impressive you had created a vision and an objective with something specific in mind.
I can’t say I plan in terms of intent, it’s definitely reactive. It would be more wishful thinking and in the moment. I am always trying though.
Thank you very much for your comments Terry and I am glad you enjoyed the images especially as you are familiar with the location. I think its always good to go back and see what else we can do with a place.
I think it's difficult to have a vision for what we want to produce when we are visiting new locations, it is much easier when we are familiar with somewhere and I think this is when the really interesting images can be made - when we really know a place.
Most of the time my photography is reactive, but I think for projects and bodies of work it is much better to have a vision and some intent. It's good to keep trying though and you have some lovely images in your portfolio. 🙂
Another very interesting read. I don't always have an image in mind when I go out but when I do I like the challenge of trying to achieve what I had in mind. I have a series of images that I would like to take for your Connection project so it will be interesting to see how that goes.
When I first viewed your images it was the 3rd one that drew my attention because of the red bleeding from the trunk but on my second viewing it was definitely the 4th one. The trunk appeared to be reaching out to protect the branches in front of it. Both captured what you were after.
Thank you very much for your comments Rosey and it was good to hear your thoughts about the images. I like the red on the 3rd image and the composition on the 4th so I am a bit torn, but glad to hear that you think they both achieve my vision.
I look forward to hearing more about your ideas for the connection project.
Great inspiring stuff.
I think I'm going to use 'Crumbling Cliffs' as my next band name.
Thank you very much Demetri. That sounds like a great name for a band!🙂
I’m a bit long in the tooth now, but if it happens, I’ll credit ya on the cover of our first LP … … (that’s a hint of how long any remaining teeth are!) 😉
Although your text is beautiful, I believe that these trees speak by themselves. Very calming, nurturing and worth of admiration for what nature can produce, including you, of course:)
Thank you very much for your kind comments Davor, it is nice to hear that. 🙂
Hi Gill. I really like the sunrise shot, but for me fallen #3 is the pick of the bunch - a fantastic image. I don’t tend to have pre-conceived ideas on creativity but I’m definitely trying to actively develop and prioritise that side of my photography. It’s what makes images stand out more I think and these certainly do that!
Thank you very much for your comments David and good to hear which image you preferred.
I think having a vision for what you want to produce definitely helps with projects and storytelling and it pays to become familiar with the locations your want to work in. I hope you enjoy developing that side of your photography.
Love these. Such personality in those trees and bits of wood. What a great beach.
Thank you so much, I am glad you enjoyed the images. 🙂