I remain photographically constricted because of my belief that dramatic light is an essential ingredient for a good photograph. In practice I photograph in all kinds of light and in the rainbow picture I made last week on a ride into town I see evidence that dramatic light does not make a dramatic picture. My brain tells me that good pictures are everywhere and do not require any formula of essential elements. But whispering deeper is some stilted, stunted core level belief in dramatic light. Perhaps it is a result of early exposure to Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. Wherever it came from it has an effect on my decision making. I am a prisoner of my own beliefs.
On clear days I often leave early to catch the low light which can render objects and landscapes in more dramatic fashion than the middle part of the day. I’m certain this plays a partial role in my habit of riding at dawn. Even if I am not making pictures I want to see the world change. Color and texture change rapidly in the morning. Spaces are more clearly defined. Last Saturday morning I put my Mamiya 7 camera in the Vespa and headed towards the mountains to make photographs. Not far from home I stopped to look at the road and the brightness beginning to consume it. The little point and shoot Canon camera makes recording these moments simply as my own visual sketching.
The transition from motorcycle back to scooter was invisible. The ride of the Vespa is plush; even on gravel. I’ve become more accustomed to riding on these forest roads and always find a sense of quiet satisfaction being able to move beneath the trees. And it didn’t matter if I was not inclined to bring out the film camera.
Those of you familiar with Rothrock State Forest may recognize the switchbacks on the road to Little Flat. It’s narrow and can be unnerving when the inattentive driver comes barreling down the hill in a truck or SUV. I would not want to attempt any off-road riding here.
Several stops to search for non-scooter pictures didn’t reveal anything I cared to spend film on. The process was underway and by the next day had finished a new roll of Ilford black and white film. After digging through my desk I now have a total of four rolls awaiting the darkroom treatment. On this day though my thoughts turned (as always) to food. The Pump Station Cafe was only a few miles away.
Riding a scooter tends to offer some parking alternatives that a motorcycle does not. My Vespa is small enough to park right in front of the cafe on a little sidewalk. It looks like it belongs there. At least that’s what I tell myself. While eating I jot notes on an index card about my troubles getting my head back into shooting pictures. I don’t count the things I do for Scooter in the Sticks or at work. I judge myself, perhaps wrongly, by the photographs I make solely for myself. I hit these dry spells now and again and I just need to wade through them. Get past my thinking and get closer to doing.
And quit being a prisoner of light.
Understanding and practicing the rules for dramatic light is the only requirement to know when to break the rule for dramatic images.
I shoot with Ilford films also: HP5+ and PanF+.
Brent
Not that it was a contest, but that rainbow picture is fantastic, and beats mine hands down. I just wished I had the other camera with me when I saw the rainbow.
They don’t happen often enough for me. It is great to catch them when you can.
When I was young and getting training in video production a friend and eventual mentor told me the prime rule was put that camera on a tripod and keep your *#^$@! hands off of it. Rule #2? Take that *#$! camera off the tripod and go hand held, get closer get unusual, unanticipated angles…. You have to know the rules before you can break them.
Steve:
It’s all in your mind. Your pictures are stunning with whatever light is available. Most of us just strive to achieve the level of your “rejects”
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
Interesting…I’m wondering…if were it not for being occasional prisoners or light, prisoners of thinking, or, prisoners of perspective, etc., how would we start to think in new ways? I sometimes think that being a prisoner and the desire for freedom forces seeing and doing in a new ways. I don’t like being a prison either but I’m trying to learn to embrace it and see it as a temporary pause necessary for jump starting the spirit to action?
I’m an instructor so my job is to explain things succintly. So here goes on dramatic light.
Dawn, dusk, natural light.
Of course, that’s why I’m barely breaking the surface and you’re my photography guru. I agree with bobskoot. My best are your rejects.
P.S.
Parking was my dilemna when I rode a scooter from the shop to get coffee. I didn’t know whether to leave it in the street or tuck it under my arm and carry it in.
Then I saw a “No Pets” sign on the door.
How in the world did you work out the testing deal? For some reason nobody trusts me with their motorcycles.
Brent: I learned the rules pretty fast but I had a heck of a time breaking them. Photo rules are the worst.
Ilford film has completely displace Kodak for me. I still have fond memories of Tri-X and Panatomic-X.
cpa3485 (Jim): Thanks for the kind words on the rainbow. Just a chance shot. Nice to have a camera available when that happens. It’s a habit that pays benefits from time to time.
Mark: I had similar training in 16mm film years ago. Rock steady was the watchword and standard. But things have changed and the rules are made to break. All of them. The only limits are what we make for ourselves. But I agree with you 100 percent — you have to know the rules before you can break them. Or at least it makes it easier to make things work for you.
bobskoot: Hah! You should see my rejects. I operate on the shoot a lot and even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in awhile theory.
You are too kind in your comments.
Sojourner rides: I agree with your thinking in principle but for me in practice the temporary nature is often not so temporary. I have a hard time just jumping into action. My mind is a terrible hindrance in some things. Fear, stubbornness, pride, whatever it is can keep me prisoner far longer than necessary or desired.
If it is a temporary pause for you I am envious!
irondad: Dawn and dusk are good. Almost all light I shoot in is natural light. And then there is plain light, boring light, crappy light, shitty light and bad light just to name a few.
And foggy light, night, moonlight, starlight, rainy light, stormy light and a few others that are not as easy to come by but can be quite dramatic.
As far as any teaching goes—I learn far more from you than you’ll learn from me. My ability as an instructor pales in comparison.
Irondad: Keep telling yourself reasons why you shouldn’t have a scooter. You’re still in danger.
I’m not sure exactly how the testing deal came about. I think it started back in February when I gave a talk about Scooter in the Sticks to a group of riders and would be riders at Innovation Park at Penn State. Craig Kissell of Kissell Motorsports was there and shortly after sent me an email. Things developed from there.
You should note that not once did I talk about front wheel skids at 80mph, packing iron in saddlebags, trying to catch speeding pickup trucks or riding a hundred miles in driving rain. I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t load you their motorcycle. *grin*
I am the poster boy for slow. Slow, slower and stop. Most of the time.