A day with the RPS

Spent most of the day at an Advisory Day for people thinking about applying for Licentiateship and Associateship Distinctions. Not involved myself so was able to sit back and enjoy the day. As to be expected there was a wide variety of topics and approaches which, together with the advice given, made for a chance to see and think about other people's work. Of particular interest was the Associate submissions that offered a number of approaches from the straightforward, almost shots of record, to the abstract impressionism effects that can be created in Photoshop. Discussion led by the two advisers was most helpful. Not surprisingly, given present fashions there was very little if any Landscape work but there are signs that this is changing.

On reflection

It is probably a good time to review what I have got from the Course so far and whether my photography has improved. Although the selected images were not taken for a specific purpose they are of very recent vintage and the lack of purpose, other than enjoying taking them may offer a truer reflection of my progress.

All images were taken near or in the village of Malham  of Malham Cove fame. I decided against a visit to the Cove because two coach-loads of tourists had just arrived and were making their way to the Cove. I thought the chances of a set of good images was remote.

The attraction of this image was the mist in the valley in the far distance. The sky was uninteresting and so I decided to crop it out almost completely. I used the wall, rocks and stones in the foreground to direct the viewer's eye into the image. Coincidentally this helped to emphasise the vastness of the scene and its rugged nature.

A very similar image to the first one but this time I have made the foreground the dominant feature with the aim of underlining the nature of the terrain. Again there is a sense of vastness and this time I kept a small part of the sky although cropping most of it out of the frame.

The two images were taken from almost the same spot but I walked round to find the images that I wanted using my feet rather than moving the camera on the tripod. Although now this seems an obvious thing to do I have to admit it has only become part of techniques since starting the Course. As landscapes give us almost as much time as we want (it doesn't go anywhere although the light may change) I feel much more comfortable reconnoitring the area before putting the camera to my eye.

This image was taken in the village of Malham that attracts a lot of visitors. I did consider waiting patiently for the bridge to clear but then thought that the purpose of the bridge would best be demonstrated by including some people. They give scale to the image allowing the viewer to get some sense of the size of the bridge.

This bridge is just a little further downstream from the one above. It's interest for me was its construction that is of a simple pack bridge suggesting that it is of considerable age. On reflection I feel that I should have included at least one person to offer scale.

The attraction for me and the result that I aimed for was the curve of the wall taking the eye to the distant hills. I deliberately left part of the path showing to emphasise that there was a way and that the wall was a boundary rather than a barrier.

I have included this image because I am unsure that it works. The path was included to encourage the viewer to 'look' into the image but the problem is that it continues out of the image on the right hand side. I could argue that the gate offers  further progress but as it is closed it too is a barrier. It may have worked better if I had cropped the image so that the right hand side of the gate was almost on the edge of the image thus removing the edge of the path. I have shown the image to a number of people getting   differing reactions.

I have included these two images as they are examples of placing people in the image to give a sense of scale. I had noted in earlier work that I went to great lengths to keep people out of the picture but now feel that it is sometimes necessary where distance clues are limited in the natural environment.

As I have previously said in my blogs or submitted work I am always attracted to water. I am not a lover of the 'velvet' water that seems to be part of everyones response to water and much prefer the natural look. If I am honest I do not think this is a great image but I am not sure why. 

I like this image although if pressed I could not really say why apart from it is representative of the countryside around Malham and is a reminder of a great afternoon taking photographs.

Having worked through these and the others that I took on the same day I feel that I can argue that there are signs of improveemnt. Certainly I take a great deal more time in deciding the best approach to any shot both before I pick up the camera and then when I have the viewfinder to my eye. I believe that this has given me a better understanding of composition and the benefits of thinking about where the chosen main element(s) of the picture should be placed. I still have some way to go but at least I feel that I am heading in the right direction.