Photography Five: Winter
By Christina Marie, age 17, Louisiana
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
The two most engaging powers of [a photographer] are to make new things familiar and familiar things new. - W. Thackeray
As you know, every month I will include five photos from five different photographers on deviantART.com. Each batch of photos will be categorized under one topic; some topics may be the same from month to month, some may be nothing. As an amateur photographer and lover of the trade, I think it's necessary to share with people what other people have worked so hard (and so easily) to do.
This month the topic is - quite broadly - snow. Only three photographs follow, a sort of prologue - more winter themed photos will undoubtedly come soon. The more creative aspect will probably be next; after all, winter will last for more than a month, and with that, originality. However, I thought one of the things that is most beautiful about the season proved a fine opener, and as for the term 'beautiful' connecting to 'snow', I am only going by what I have heard. Being from southern Louisiana, I have never personally seen any. I know, I know ... nearly eighteen and never even a peek.
I quote myself before I begin: I am not an expert on photography. I am learning so much as I go.
Snow by MaggiElvar on deviantART
In my opinion there is nothing that can match natural black and white. I love everything about this photo. It's simple, it's raw, it's real. The bike itself gives you so much insight into the owner. Although it seems it may have an abandoned feel, and cold due to the elements, I can't help but to feel warm as I look at it. Immediately I imagine the family inside at the table, warm and toasty by either fire or heater, just waiting for things to warm up so that the bike will be usable again. They say a picture is worth a thousands words, and to be honest, I could write a one-shot with 1,000+ just by what I see.
Winter by mbfoto on deviantART
As an artist, I like simplicity. This does not mean I'm not fond of other things, but it's possible to be simple with a room full of people or objects without being cluttered, and I leave this to the artist (or myself) to do. In this photo, this is not the case. It's detailed and beautiful. The colors are appealing. (Then again, what appeals to me so often doesn't to others.) And generally I like the feel. No, I love it.
Let it snow by ccarina on deviantART
I hope I don't insult the artist by leaving this so short, but there are only a few words I can say to this. I picture I'm there. I feel I'm there, and I want to be there. I cannot ask more from a photographer.
Don't Be Shy
Do not be afraid to do what you have to do in order to get what you want from your camera. Last Wednesday, a model (who was dressed much out of the ordinary with nothing but a see-through petticoat, small tank top, tall socks, and ballet shoes, with her hair purposely tangled and poofed) and I walked to a gas station to eat before walking across from it, food in hand, to a spot near a busy highway. The area was very public, but we stayed there for at least an hour and a half to shoot. When we were done, we walked along the highway to get back to my home.
This isn't out of the ordinary, but typical. If you have to draw attention to yourself to get the picture, do it. Don't let the pressure of eyes mess you up. Stay focused. Being nervous or rushed will take your concentration away from your camera and, in the end, the photo may not turn out.
I have a question for you. I'm curious. If I handed you a camera right now and said that, in the next fifteen seconds, you had the power to conjure up any scene in the world, what would you choose to photograph? Nature, a family member, fashion, street life ... ?
:)
----
You can find me and my work at http://photographedtuesday.deviantart.com
