This series features additional downtown Winston-Salem cityscape compositions. I like the label ‘cityscape’, it suggests a mash-up of street, architectural and urban landscape photography. I hope to have the next post in this series completed later this weekend.
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Cheers,
C.S.
With it’s multi-level spillway, the High Point Municipal Dam at City Lake Park is like a large water sculpture. As I approached the dam, I saw this wonderful composition opportunity. But before I could get out my camera, the couple got-up and started towards their car. Fortunately they kindly agreed to return to the table so I could shoot a few compositions. Thanks to Debbie and Brian!
Click on the image to view a higher resolution version from my portfolio site. Hope you all have a great weekend!
This post features a composition study of an old barn and corn crib on display at the New River Trail State Park, Foster Fall section. My Boy Scout Troop camped, canoed and biked here this past weekend. Such a beautiful destination!
I need your help in picking the best composition below, horizontal or vertical. These were captured early morning at a local park. The horizontal image is were I’m leaning; it feels more balanced. I also like the contrasting tonality between the two structures.
The notion of “portals”, suggested by this composition, opens up a vast body of thought and science, particularly around the intersections of religion, philosophy and physics. How do we perceive what exists beyond our conventional notion of 3 dimensions? The ideas around this question are substantial. But here’s a quick summary of what I found along with some thoughts from my study on the subject.
In Hinduism, all matter is an illusion know as Maya, where our narrow perception of physical and mental reality blinds us from knowing the “one truth”. Conversely, Brahman as a metaphysical concept, is the single binding unity behind the diversity in all that exists in the universe. Maya is destroyed when we perceive Brahman with transcendental knowledge.
In philosophy, there is the dualist view of “mind separate from matter” (i.e. Descartes), and the monism view of a singleness to everything. While proponents of materialism and physicalism debate the metaphysic questions of “ultimately, what is there?” and “what is it like”, the science of theoretical physics seeks to describe a scientific understanding of our universe.
Einstein’s theory of general relativity and the 20 century evolution of quantum mechanics has led to a compelling, but sometimes contradictory view of the universe. At a string theory conference in 1995 M-theory immerged as the unifying “Theory of Everything” (ToE); its simplicity and mathematically elegant formula could fit on a t-shirt. An intriguing component of string theory is the existence of a multi-dimensional universe.
To me, experiencing art is a more monist perception of the type of artistic medium and its inherent physical attributes, along with the conscious attributes of feeling and interpretive understanding. For example, my composition above as seen in an art gallery, the viewer could perceive the physical aspects of the framed work along with physical aspects of the photographic subject – the stone textures, shapes, lighting and depth. Hopefully, they would also perceive possibilities of what the implied space means, and the associated feelings. Does the shadow imply the existence of a person within the space at a particular point in time?
I like the view of Max Planck, the father of quantum theory. He said, “There is no matter as such. All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the particle of an atom to vibration and holds this most minute solar system of the atom together. We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent Mind. This Mind is the matrix of all matter.”
This composition has been on my to-do list for quite a while. I find it an interesting architectural abstract and street scene. There is actually a 5th bridge which is hidden behind the two far bridges in the lower left. Perhaps I should change the title to 5 Bridges on 5th Street Scene.
In United States, today’s holiday reminds us of our obligation to remember the countless men and women who died to protect their fellow man and maintain our precious democratic freedoms. Democracy is not easy, it requires compromise! The recent mood of absolutism, and rejection of government/public institutions dishonors those who have sacrificed so much to protect them.
Everyday should be Memorial Day!
Last week I had dinner in downtown Winston-Salem with my photographer friend Owens Daniels. Afterwards, we both grabbed our camera and set out on a local street photography expedition. I had so much fun. We met some nice folks, found some great scenes and Owens shared many of his proven street photography tips.
Lessons learned:
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Generations of Rust-Oleum reveal themselves through layers of flaking, cracked paint and rust on this antique metal chair.
Weathered wood paneling on this old trailer at the Red Cross Antique Store, serves as the backdrop for an eclectic collection of antique signs and artifacts.
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