monochrome monday

I knew nothing but shadows and I thought them to be real. 

~ Oscar Wilde

I was going through my iPhone photos the other day trying to clean up a bit, 

and came across this image.

It caught my attention because I didn't recall taking it and rather liked it,

and I had just had a chat with someone who commented that

my images were generally not moody.

Intentional camera movement. ICM. 

It's a great way to generate an abstract quality to an image. 

Color, spatial arrangement, light become the primary subjects of the image, 

rather than a well focussed and tack sharp object, person, or landscape.

To do ICM, you just need low a ISO, a small aperture, and a long shutter speed.

If using a DSLR or mirrorless camera you can use polarizing or ND filters to reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor so you can employ a longer shutter speed during the day.

If it's an overcast day or nearing dawn/dusk, filters aren't typically needed.

If using a mobile device, there are apps available that allow for a long shutter speed.

Once you've got your ISO, aperture and shutter speed set, shoot and move the camera. 

Swipe the camera horizontally, vertically, add some swirly curly motions, or loops, 

and check out the image in the LCD.

Don't swipe too fast, nor too slow.

You'll see the output and know whether to speed up/down.

If it's too bright, adjust one of your parameters. 

Keep playing until you get what you're after.

Sometimes, I don't know what I'm after until I see it.

So don't stop if your first attempt doesn't catch your fancy.

I can spend hours photographing trees in the sunlight when I'm on my trail walks.

I have to force myself to stop and keep walking!

If using a mobile device, be prepared...as it sucks the life out of your batteries.

As always. Just go out and have fun.

puddle play

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.

~ Soren Kierkegaard

There are many great things about rain to write about. We'll save them for another post ;)

One of the best things about rain is the puddles it produces!

Puddles mean reflections.

Reflections add a unique element to your image
and are a great source for a creative photo opportunity!

Tips: Get low to the ground and close the water's edge:
this gives you more of the subject in the reflection.
Morning and late day are great times to shoot reflections - when the sun is low in the sky,
and you're able to get warm light to contrast with cool water tones.
Ripples provide an abstract element - and don't forget to play with long exposures!!
Avoid glare by looking for the light to fall on the subject not the water.

iPhone reflection photo tips (These are good concepts for any camera)
School of Digital Photography tips
Think outside the puddle (fun examples of reflection photography)!

I think this set of three puddles will be a constant source of entertainment for me

as the rainy season continues.

iPhone 6 / native camera

Snapseed

Stackables

moments

You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with. 

~ Wayne Dyer

Sometimes your mobile phone device is the only camera you have on hand - 

thereby, also making it your best camera at the moment.

We went kayaking a few weeks ago, and the iPhone camera was all I brought for capturing shots.

This is the first time I've actually processed an iPhone photo with Photoshop.

Usually I use just in-camera apps for any processing.
It worked pretty well.

As this is a photography blog, I think all cameras are game for generating images.

It's about what gear will capture the moment 

before the moment passes.
And perhaps equally important, it's about your own creative expression
and what works best for you at the time.

iPhone, DSLR, mirrorless or whatever...go out and shoot!!

iPhone 6 native camera Enlight app and Adobe CC2015