In prior posts, I have mentioned that I find looking for compositions during urban photographing quite similar to composing while doing nature photography. At that time, I was speaking about looking for graphic lines and shapes when making abstract images. Those posts can be seen here and here.
I think other similarities exist as well. One of these similarities is the importance of looking for and being aware of the smaller details; akin to 'the intimate landscape'. For example, as I was walking around town, I began to notice that some of the department store window displays were quite interesting looking and I began taking shots of those that appealed to me. When photographing windows like this, it is a bit of a challenge to get an angle that avoids glare and reflections off the glass, yet still allows for an interesting composition.
I thought this particular display had a rather 'hip' feel to it.
"Summer"Copyright Howard Grill
So, when walking around town, it's nice to have a camera handy and important to keep an eye on the small stuff as well as the skyscrapers!
4 comments:
I hate to say it (since I do appreciate much of your work), but for this particular image you simply documented the creation of the window display designers. It is like photographing a statue or a painting.
Feel free to say it! I truly think that constructive comments are always helpful, positive or negative. And certainly you have a valid point.
There was something I liked in the presentation of the image in that, although on inspection they are obviously mannequins, the actual 'grounding' of the image as a display was left out because the window itself, or at least the 'framing' of the window, is absent. For that reason, when I first view the image I find myself wondering what is going on. The lettering then becomes the bit of 'grounding' that then provides orientation.
So, your point is certainly a valid one....in fact, after reading it and shaking my head in agreement, I found myself wondering what attracted me to the image to start with. Despite the fact that I have only documented the creation, I still find myself 'pulled into' the image for the reasons above.
I guess, then, what would make or break the picture for viewers is if they feel that initial disorientation or not.
I suggest why viewers could be drawn to such an image is that it would remind them of magazine advertising that they'd seen before.
I like the pix as you have managed to compose it well (I see a lot of similar photos taken angle-on, rather than front-on as you have in this post), the colours in the image are warm and friendly, and you have cut the glare. How did you do that, Howard? polarizer or depth of field?
Thanks Janina. ACtually neither. I just angled myself in relation to the glass such that there weren't reflections coming back at the camera.
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