Earlier this summer, I attended the wedding of a friend and fellow Scout leader in Danville, Virginia. After the reception, I had the opportunity to visit the local tobacco warehouse district, near the Dan River, which is into it’s initial phases of urban renewal – the Danville River District. The late afternoon afforded some nice lighting. I plan to return soon to shoot in the early morning light.
Danville Riverfront Tobacco District 4Danville Tobacco District Composition 3Danville Tobacco District Composition 2Danville Tobacco District Composition 1Danville Tobacco District Composition 5
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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.
Park Maintenance Building Horizontal CompositionThe vertical image better isolates the interesting side lighting on the stairs and railing. Which do you like the best?
Park Maintenance Building Vertical CompositionThanks for stopping by and leaving your feedback! Click on an image to view a higher resolution version from my portfolio site.
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.
Stone Park Portal – A Study of Extra-Dimensional Space
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.
Innovation Quarter 4 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.
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.
Artivity on the Green Selfie
Lessons learned:
I must do more street photography.
Shoot with a photographer friend. We grow through shared experience.
Learn how to see without thinking. I’m reading a good book on this now – “Opening the Good Eye”.
Develop your own style.
Don’t be afraid of high ISO! My D750 higher ISO settings look great, Lightroom does a great job of minimizing noise, and I usually add film grain to the composition in my workflow.
Owens Composing The GarageA Star on The GarageSunset from Trade to LibertyWhat the Heck!Finding Free Smokes
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A year ago, my family visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. This is my fourth post from that visit. Such a beautiful place! The first image features the Grand Staircase. The weight of the exterior staircase wall creates a cantilever force which supports the weight of the large granite steps. I used a “glow” filter in Filter Forge to add a subtle glow effect to the highlights.
Grand Staircase Composition 1The next four images feature the Biltmore Conservatory. Part of the Biltmore’s Walled Garden, the Conservatory was designed by the Biltmore House architect Richard Morris Hunt. It was built to provide flowers, plants and shrubs for the house and surrounding gardens.
Biltmore Conservatory Exterior Abstract 2 Biltmore Conservatory Interior Composition 1 Biltmore Conservatory Interior Composition 2 Biltmore Conservatory Interior Composition 3I captured this young fella on the playground at the Biltmore Winery and Farm Village. Is he focused on balancing himself, or is he intrigued by his shadow?
Balancing Act at BiltmoreGlad you stopped by. Click on an image to see a high resolution version from my portfolio site.
Captured last June, I’ve been working on and off on this composition for quite a while. One of the common symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder is difficulty in finishing personal projects. Well, that definitely describes me. I’ll work on a composition in post for a bit, then move on to another task which is more interesting or urgent. But associative thinking also drives the creative mind. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! 🙂
Mendenhall Transportation Terminal AbstractThis abstract composition was captured at our central bus terminal here in High Point. At the center of the Spring and Fall International Furniture Market, it serves as a vital transportation hub for market visitors, vendors, logistics resources and local folks. The dramatic clouds, late afternoon sun and architectural features at the terminal combined to make a great photo opportunity.
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The dramatic cloudscape in the sky, in the reflective glass, and rays of sunlight complement this abstract view of the Showplace building in downtown High Point, NC.
Here’s the next post in this series. I can’t decide which composition I like the best. The first image seems to have a slightly more interesting composition. But the I also like the more pronounced door and brick textures in the second. Which do you like best?
Two Doors Down Composition
107 SE Market Composition
Thanks for stopping by today. Click on an image to see a higher resolution version from my portfolio site. Oh yea, Happy Valentine’s Day!
