Irving Penn defined a good photograph as, 'one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it'. If I can do even one of those three things with an image, I’m satisfied!
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If like me you live in the Northern Hemisphere, there’s something magical in discovering the world of the Southern. Africa in particular seems to draw us to explore, with its vast plains and forests, still-wild spaces, fascinating animals and very different cultures. Maybe too there’s a lingering romantic sense of the continent as an unknown frontier to be opened up, despite the somewhat negative associations attached to our historic explorations there.
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Shapes and lines are important elements in photographic composition, but how often do we stop to consider them? I think I am more aware of lines than I am of shapes, to be honest. I look for leading lines and for dynamic diagonals in particular, but I’m less likely to look for specific shapes.
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Some people are passionate that black and white is the only true medium for photography, others that a photo without colour is lacking in something. I’m inclined to take a middle stance, as I believe that both have their merits, depending on a number of factors. Subject matter of course, but also time of day, lighting, composition and, perhaps most important, what story you want to tell.
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Over the last few months since our return from Mexico I’ve covered most of the highlights of our trip in a number of posts, from the sights of Mexico City to the ruins of Monte Alban, and from the Copper Canyon to the whales of the Sea of Cortez. But some favourite photos failed to find their way into those posts.
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The appeal of black and white portraiture lies in the way it simplifies the image. Without the distraction of colours, the focus shifts more to the subject’s face and expression. The eyes in particular seem to stand out more, and consequently as a viewer you often feel more connected to the person.
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Yes, connecting is everything. It is through connecting to others that we find ourselves. And what better way to connect than to travel? But when we meet people from other countries on our travels, it’s usually a fleeting connection at best; valuable but not maintained. My involvement with Virtual Tourist, however, has enabled me to make genuine friends all over the world
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Jean De La Bruyere, French philosopher, said that, 'We come too late to say anything which has not been said already', but I am hopeful that I am better late than never.
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There was a time when most photos weren’t black and white but sepia. And today if we want to give our images that ‘antique’ look, sepia is the way to go.
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I think we all recognise now that the genie is out of the bottle. Mankind has created AI and now needs to learn how to harness it for good while avoiding the many pitfalls.
