I am discussing a photo series from national geographic magazine for my learning. I will discuss each photos and see what I can learn from them. Basically, what I had to say about the pictures with my mind set on the learning mode. So here it is. The first one is about pirates of the Malacca Straits. Pictures are by John Stanmeyer, they can be found here:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/10/malacca-strait-pirates/stanmeyer-photographyThis is a pretty long post, by the way..
1. Singapore port.
Recognizing the subjects to include in relation to the topic/story to cover. In this case it is the ship, the Singapore, and the port in the distance. The rope was added as the main interest subject by which the message about the port is conveyed. The rope is the main “wow” factor. Secondly then are is the ‘simphony’ of the city, the port, and the ship. The green waters is the last factor, for me, at least, to add to the mix. The details of the rope add an eerie atmosphere to the picture. This eerie feeling I think is purposively added in this series, as manifested here also in the dark tone and the cloudy day. I think the editors ordered the eerienes to go along with the theme pirates.
2. Singapore red boat
The mood is quite, yet sparkling in city lights. The quiteness is expressed in the almost empty boat, and the behavior of the people in the boat. The slow speed added to give movement. I imagined John planned to get the almost empty boat (possibly in almost late hours). Then look for angles and moment that can maximise the view of city and the people. I’m not sure, though, which one comes first. Take pictures in the field and let the writer connect them in the storyline and write the caption that connects, or the writers communicate with the photographer first about the concepts that the writers wishes or recommends to convey. It’s most probably the latter, to think of it. Anyway, the colors are good. Red and the city lights. And the tilting view is also good. I too would have to react in the field to decide to tilt or not. And if I decide to, I need to tilt in the correct angle. I would also have to arrange the correct exposure.
3. Malaysian marine patrol
I imagine this picture is not so difficult to take. You need to take pictures of marine patrol, so hop on one. Then find the elements of the boat (the gun) and the angles that works best. And decide the moment to take it (when a boat passes). The expression of the police is the golden moment, though. It’s rather difficult to predict. The gun really makes a strong message, but not maximum, I think, because the gun doesn’t cover large space. I don’t think it can ever be given the circumstances.
4. Swamp Aerial
This is an aerial pic of a swamp. A serene mood, supported by the diffuse clouds. Mind the islets shape and angle and composition. Have to make good combination. Although I think this picture is not so strong.
5. Chug
Great use of slow speed and great moment that gives the landscape as it is. And the pose of the people. The colors don’t really match, though. Its probably best in black and white. But in a series, I think you should use either color or black and white, and not both.
6. Pool hall
Great use of mirrors. I like it. And great moment. You should be patient to get it. All of the people fits well.
7. Green house
Honestly, this is a kind of picture I find boring. You know, the larg dark space, the long straight lines and conventional rectangular shape. I guess this capture perfectly the situation of the area at the moment. The building, the night, people talking, the prostitute. Then again, probably there’s no other way to capture those elements in a picture. I would take at least two pictures, one of the building exterior which covers the people talking outside (including the ones at the back). Second is the women inside which I would shot maybe by gazing through the window. Then, well I guess this picture is the most perfect way to capture those elements I mentioned in a single most artful picture. The green, white, and red lights and the lines adds to the attraction. The board lines too.
8. Musi river life
Well, from the previous picture I learn that the best picture of the area and moment is the one that conveys the message, and art is the tool that enhance that message. So I learn to appreciate a picture by the meaning of elements it contain, and not just the “wow” factor. The “wow” factor in this picture I think are the fog and the boy’s silhouette. If I would go after only the “art” I would zoom in on the boy, take a vertical position that includes the smoke. But I need to tell about the women and the other boats, and so I would probably take a wider picture like this one. But, since I avoid being a copycat, I’d just look for other methods.
9. Musi family dawn
This picture tells about family at Musi river. Indeed, the activities of the family is the main interest, all four of its members. And then it is enhanced by the bridge lights, the dawn, the contrasting darkness, the house’s lights, the reflection, and the composition. The details are also interesting, e.g. the laundry and the bridge. The longer house at the right supports the composition.
10. Ramshackle catwalk
I think this is a simple picture. You just stand on the side and wait for somemeone pass by. That is why, I think, John tilted the camera a bit. A flat angle would be boring. And the pale sky. I’m not sure if it is intentional, to get the quiet mood, or John has no time to get a brighter day. I think the former is more correct, though. The details of the people in the background is interesting.
11. Clothespin card
This is a visually interesting culture. Especially the clothespin. And John cover the complete elements which surrounds the behavior. The cards, the playmates, the crowd. And John pick an interesting angle and composition. Here, again, the camera is tilted to add to the wow factor. The picture is colorful, but I figure they are left underexposed to give dim feeling, or probably the less light cannot be compensate.
12. Body bathing
The picture of a dead body always adds an intense feeling. A feeling of condolence and calm feeling. This feeling is supported by the expression of the family, and the light. For me, the colors are particularly interesting. This, I guess, ad to the irony of colorful and dark mood. Although it’s a rather simple picture in terms of skills, I guess you would have to wait for the most perfect moment, and that is when the woman pours the water. I couldn’t think of another pose fit for the moment.
13. Combing hair
The main theme, I guess, is the daily life at Musi river banks. A casual morning. The mirror is a good find, also the moment. I don’t know if it is staged or not. It could be. The light is also interesting. The obstructed light technique as I would like to call it, although here it’s not so conspicuous. I’d say this is a pretty quiet picture, but this perfectly fits the storyline.
14. Chinese shop
This is also a simple picture. You just choose and interesting object and then wait for someone to pass by. But I think the editor pick this picture because it depicts an important symbol which fits the storyline, that is the reminder of a golder era, the chinese shop with its attractive lights and ornaments.
15. Burning incense
Great find of patterns and the mists. Also kudos for waiting for the moment. The giant incense in itself is special. The pattern that they created made it more eyecatching.
In summary, things I learn and things I should look out or do when I’m photographing are:
- Be more attentive to the elements I want to convey in a picture. I usually get stuck on a particularly interesting subject and get focused on it, ignoring other elements. That’s probably why I shoot children’s expressions often. Even when I do pay attention to the other elements, I lost on the composition and lacking creativity, such as tilting angle, etc.
- Be more diligent and creative in searching angles and moments. Wait for minutes to hours or even a day if I have to. Be patient to get the gem. Walk a lot, but not to much as this may disturb the subjects. Just be more smart and observant in projecting angles. Be more creative.
- Be more attentive to the mood, that is, the subtle elements that determine the mood of the picture, such as the cloud, colors, people, etc.
- Be more sharp on the techniques. Monumental eyecatching objects can be noted early for use as a background in enhancing a main interest. Remember tilting camera, moment, composition. Remember mirror, reflections, obstructed light, mists.
- Get a grip on the symbols. Symbols of wealth, or serenity, or aggresiveness, etc.
- Don’t be afraid to get a quiet picture. I seem to always want to get pictures that can “punch viewers in the face”. Sometimes information should be prioritize over the artfulness, over my likeness, over the wow factor.
Pretty nice lesson, I’d say, although it takes more energy that I first thought. That’s good. Look forward to discuss another series. Thank you for bearing with me.
