Reflection on techniques and composition.
It is difficult sometimes to use the rules of composition, colour and light in travel photography. There are so many factors influencing the photos you make. The main factors that have influenced me are light and colour. The colours at Uluru change quite dramatically with the light. Uluru itself looks very different at various times of the day.
I have tried to use other compositional strategies. The subject dictates that the horizon line can be a major factor. I have tried to ensure that my horizon is straight in my photos. I have also tried to present the horizon in different thirds of the photos for different effects. The Rule of Thirds has influenced many of my photos.
I have taken photos from different perspectives. My opening photo is a flat lay, taken from above. Grass at Uluru is taken from a low position, giving the grass a dominant position. Uluru Rising is taken from the distance, giving a far away view, showing the whole of Uluru. In contrast, the cliff face is taken close up, showing the patterns and textures on the cliff face.
I have also tried to incorporate a close up/macro photo in the flower. This shows the minute details of the chosen wildflower. The artwork also shows detail up close and the wonderful lines of Aboriginal art. Line is also a dominant feature of the grass and flower photos.
In contrast, The Field of Light photo shows the effect that negative space can have. The mass of the dark sky contrasts well with the lights in the foreground.
Climbing Uluru is an example of a photo that uses leading lines. Your eyes are drawn by the rail to look upwards, following the people on their journey to the top.
Repetition and pattern are seen through many of the photos: the repetition of the clouds and lights (Field of Light), the patterns in the tablecloth and cliff face just add to the interest in the photos.
And who could resist the textures of the grass and the cocktail. I can feal the roughness of that grass and the foaminess of those bubbles in the glass.
I have tried to incorporate appropriate compositional techniques when setting up to take a photo. Sometimes I was successful, other times I had to rethink the resulting photo and reshoot if possible.
I have certainly learnt to think more about how to make my photos different by looking, thinking and seeing things in a different way. Thatâs what makes photography so much fun.
