Thursday’s Task

[John Holbrook]

Thursday’s Task: Focused photography—seeing, creating the image. Photographic images and experiences you care to share. My pedestrian examples below:

In Yellowstone National Park, I was focused on the three bison grouped together, then noticed where their attention was directed—so I included the other bison to create a hopefully more interesting image.

While visiting the Grand Canyon National Park, I composed this scene with the foreground tree’s branches pointing downwards to the Colorado River below.

While at the local post office, I noticed the adjacent farm with hay recently baled. I thought it worth returning home to retrieve my camera to shoot its possibilities.

Near Devil’s Kitchen, WY I composed this autumn tree against the “alien” background and marveled at the seeming incongruity.

 

[AlanLichty]

Good topic and some great examples. I like the tree branches pointing down at the river.

 

[AlanLichty]

This was a scene that caught my eye at the Portland Japanese Garden with some nice lines and interesting contrasts between the clusters of leaves and the fence:

A small arch in the sea stacks at Bandon's Facerock Park. I used a very long exposure to make the arch the focal point of the scene instead of the incoming waves.

Upper Antelope Canyon offers a ton of different ways to create focal points in captured scenes.

The bottom of a waterfall isn't the usual way to shoot the falling water but a long exposure offers up a very different way of viewing the scene when the real waterfall disappears and the new focal point comes to life below.

Lots of fun hoodoos to shoot in a small roadside attraction along US89 between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT. I offset this hoodoo so its color contrast stood out more and let the clouds fill in the empty space on the right.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Another excellent topic, John. I like to focus on prominent foreground subjects in my landscape images.

Grand Teton National Park, WY

Sequoia National Park, Ca

Crater Lake, OR

 

[Kyle Jones]

Here are two that fit this theme for me.

1) Moraine Lake - I usually work hard to avoid manmade objects in my scenes, including on this beautiful morning in Banff. On my way back to the parking lot, I saw these boats lined up at the dock and just had to build a composition around them

2) Avalanche Lake log

It is hard to go wrong with Avalanche lake. The clear water, mountains and waterfalls make a stunning backdrop for any scene. As I was walking along the shore I found this fallen tree and was struck by the textures that it added. I got close and focus-stacked to get everything to be sharp.

 

[dan swiger]

Thar she blows

The Patriach

The Sentinel

 

[John Holbrook]

This was a scene that caught my eye at the Portland Japanese Garden with some nice lines and interesting contrasts between the clusters of leaves and the fence:

View attachment 74974

A small arch in the sea stacks at Bandon's Facerock Park. I used a very long exposure to make the arch the focal point of the scene instead of the incoming waves.

View attachment 74975

Upper Antelope Canyon offers a ton of different ways to create focal points in captured scenes.

View attachment 74976

The bottom of a waterfall isn't the usual way to shoot the falling water but a long exposure offers up a very different way of viewing the scene when the real waterfall disappears and the new focal point comes to life below.

View attachment 74977

Lots of fun hoodoos to shoot in a small roadside attraction along US89 between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT. I offset this hoodoo so its color contrast stood out more and let the clouds fill in the empty space on the right.

View attachment 74978

Beautiful images Alan, I especially like the B&W waterfall image as well as the arch in the sea stack in your second image. Perhaps my favorite is the exquisite the Upper Antelope Canyon image—very, very nice! I always like to hear the photographer’s insights in creating their images and I hope this Task would be rewarding. (I hope members got a kick out of the “f-STOP” sign).

 

[John Holbrook]

Another excellent topic, John. I like to focus on prominent foreground subjects in my landscape images.

Grand Teton National Park, WY
View attachment 74982


Sequoia National Park, Ca
View attachment 74989


View attachment 74991


Crater Lake, OR
View attachment 74994

Beautiful images Doug—your compositional strategy certainly works well and results in interesting, well-balanced, and gorgeous landscapes! Love them all!

 

[John Holbrook]

Here are two that fit this theme for me.

1) Moraine Lake - I usually work hard to avoid manmade objects in my scenes, including on this beautiful morning in Banff. On my way back to the parking lot, I saw these boats lined up at the dock and just had to build a composition around them

View attachment 75001

2) Avalanche Lake log

It is hard to go wrong with Avalanche lake. The clear water, mountains and waterfalls make a stunning backdrop for any scene. As I was walking along the shore I found this fallen tree and was struck by the textures that it added. I got close and focus-stacked to get everything to be sharp.

View attachment 75002

Kyle, thank you for sharing your beautiful images and your creative process in each. I love the bright contrast of colors of the boats against the serene blues and greens of Moraine Lake. Your Avalanche Lake composition is perhaps my favorite—well-conceived and a very beautiful landscape in composition and color.

 

[John Holbrook]

Thar she blows
View attachment 74997
The Patriach
View attachment 74998
The Sentinel
View attachment 74999

Dan, thank you for sharing your very nice images—I especially favor the well-composed “Sentinel” image as well as the black and white Golden Gate bridge image—my favorite!

 

[ckcarr]

Well, it's only Sunday. A little late!
Here's a few if I'm interpreting the task correctly

 

[John Holbrook]

Well, it's only Sunday. A little late!
Here's a few if I'm interpreting the task correctly

View attachment 75049

View attachment 75050

View attachment 75051

View attachment 75052

View attachment 75053

View attachment 75054

Craig, excellent images (per usual) and excellent titles too!!! The Devils Tower and rainbow image, “The Search Ends Here” is a memorable image—perhaps my favorite and a great title too! Of course “Wrong Turn” is the MOST memorable image for obvious reasons! Hope your pants remained dry after this encounter—and that you used a telephoto lens too! “Warmth of the Sun” is a beautiful image—love the orange and blues contrast. Nice composition too! Of course I should say “Edge of Night” and “Ancient Eyes” should also receive the same identical praise.