Author: brenda

a photo study: simplification and negative space

Someone once shared with me her personal goal of reading one book of child psychology for a week over the course of a year.  She then asked, “Would that result in me becoming an expert?”

Off and on over the years, I have found myself pondering this exchange.  About three weeks ago, while watching a Ted Forbes YouTube video I wondered, “how would my photography change if I was to “focus” on a particular element of photography each week for a year while also including various past lessons into my images throughout that week?

Well…I’m into my third week of this journey,  The first week was exploring focusing techniques; the second, rule of odds; and this week, simplification and negative space.

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At this time, it is my intention to review my journey and share a photo video each Saturday.  If you wish to join me, I would enjoy hearing and seeing your photo journey.

Simplification and Negative Space (Ted Forbes, The Art of Photography)

a heart that was deeply wounded

brendakofford_dandelionproject9118b-webThe ocean of suffering is immense, but if you turn around, you can see the land. The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy. When one tree in the garden is sick, you have to care for it. But don’t overlook all the healthy trees. Even while you have pain in your heart, you can enjoy the many wonders of life — the beautiful sunset, the smile of a child, the many flowers and trees. To suffer is not enough. Please don’t be imprisoned by your suffering. … When you have suffered, you know how to appreciate the elements of paradise that are present. If you dwell only in your suffering, you will miss paradise. Don’t ignore your suffering, but don’t forget to enjoy the wonders of life. For your sake and the benefit of many beings.

When I was young, I wrote this poem. I penetrated the heart of the Buddha with a heart that was deeply wounded.

My youth
an unripe plum.
Your teeth have left their marks on it.
The tooth marks still vibrate.
I remember always,
remember always

Since I learned how to love you,
the door of my soul has been left wide open
in the winds of the four directions.
Reality calls for change.
The fruit of awareness is already ripe,
and the door can never be closed again.

Fire consumes this century,
and mountains and forest bear its mark.
The wind howls across my ears,
while the whole sky shakes violently in the snowstorm.

Winter’s wounds lie still,
Missing the frozen blade,
Restless, tossing and turning
in agony all night.

I grew up in a time of war…Once the door of awareness has been opened, you cannot close it. The wounds of war in me are still not all healed. … Embrace your suffering, and let it reveal to you the way to peace.

~Thich Nhat Hanh (The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, pp. 3-5)

they found their man…

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Disillusionment is an important part of the spiritual path. It is a powerful and fiery gate, one of the purest teachers of awakening, independence, and letting go that we will ever encounter. To be disillusioned is to be stripped of our hopes, imaginings, and experiences. But while it opens our eyes, the resulting pain all too often closes our hearts. The great challenge of disillusionment is to keep our eyes open and still remain connected with the great heart of compassion. Whether our heart is torn open in the dark night of our inner practice or the dark night of system difficulties, we can use this experience to learn a deeper consciousness and wiser love.

~unknown

xdrive photo lesson – golden hour, revisited

Raj’s  (xdrive photography lesson) valuable feedback to the use of a neutral density filter and monochrome in the initial submission of the golden hour lesson awakened me to how I was limiting my exploration of the soft light and golden shades found within the golden hour.

With the awareness that I have learned a great deal through Raj’s photo lessons, I set up a still life of the oranges below on my veranda during the golden hour…absent a neutral density filter.

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Nikon D750    f/5.6   1/40s   35mm   ISO 100

It has been my experience that the golden hour in Northeastern Colorado is impacted by the Rocky Mountain foothills as the light remains harsh for an extended period of time and disappears quickly as the sun moves behind the foothills.  Also, a soft quality of light seems to require a cloud bank to serve as a reflector to the hidden sun’s rays.  Otherwise, the available light often is more of a glaring quality than a golden soft glow.

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D750   f/7.1   1/250s   85mm   ISO 320

goldenhrweb

Nikon D750   f/5.6   1/500s   85mm  ISO 100

The golden hour offers great shadows and rim lighting …

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A panorama of the Rocky Mountain foothills…September 15, 2016 at 6:53 p.m.  Sunset at 7:08 pm

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Nikon D750   f/7,1   1/250s   300mm  ISO  320

As always, Raj I thank you for your time and valuable feedback. Looking forward to your next lessons.

a photo study of the rule of odds

Nothing is hidden;
It has always been clear as day.
For divine wisdom; look at the old pine tree;
For eternal truth; listen to the birds sing.
Seeking the mind; there is no place to look;
Can you see the footprints of flying birds?
Above, not a single tile to shelter under;
Below, not a morsel of ground for support. ~Zenrin

Rule of Odds…not a rule, law, or expectation.  A guideline created by how the composition within an image may gift us with the balance we unconsciously seek.

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The youtube episode below is an introduction to the rule of odds hosted by Ted Forbes, a photographer and filmmaker. He started producing the Art of Photography as a podcast in 2008 and the show has since grown into a popular YouTube channel and resource website providing a 360° view of photography to a global audience. Enjoy
https://youtu.be/n-1tq0FEBV4

winter blues

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Memories are priceless…they are like hot chocolate and cozy socks on a chilly night.  This past week as I watched videos of the winter storm along the east coast memories of a particular winter in Iowa when the wind chill was reported to be 60 below zero visited for a moment or two…it was then replaced with memories of family photos of the winter  in Portola, California when the snow fall was recorded at 9 feet.

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Donna, Portola California

Even though January is my birth month, I often experience the winter blues in January as it is usually the longest, coldest, darkest month of the year.  Not so this year in Northeastern Colorado…weather forecast for today is partly cloudy and 47 degrees.

50% tip…Rachel Maddow’s tipping rule…there is gratitude for the compassion she has for those who deliver pizza through the rages of nature. Maddow: Terrible weather tipping rule is in effect:

xdrive photography learning – 18 – golden hour

In this xdrive photography lesson, Raj  notes that for about an hour during sunrise and again at sunset, photographers are gifted with what is known as the “golden hour” or “magic light.”  Generally the sun’s light is diffused and soft during these two time periods.

In the image below, I chose to combine Raj’s golden hour lesson with a personal study of  the rule of odds.  This image was created about 40 minutes before sunset with what I identified as cirrostratus clouds to the west of my home.  In the past, I have found that the quality of light during the hour before and after sunset is often times influenced by both western clouds as well as the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

 

goldenhourweb

Nikon D750   f/7.1   .5 s   35 mm (prime)   ISO 100   neutral density lens