The Picture Within The Picture

It seems, I must have had something relevant to say after all. I was very pleased to see that people did look at my first blog post. They even asked when the second one was coming - unless it was just out of sympathy. Anyway, here goes BLOG number 2.

This past week-end, while at our cottage, I was reminded of something I learned a long time ago. So, I thought I would pass it on.

It was a bit bleak on Saturday. Not very cold, about -3 degrees. It was stormy, but not snowing. I was determined to go out and take a few shots. So, I took my trusty Canon 5D and 16-35mm lens - thinking I could do some scenic shots with a long depth of field. I planned to use slow shutter speeds, so I mounted the camera on my tripod. The snow was very deep - way over my knees - with a sheet of ice on top. As I broke through, the ice would scrape up my leg. It was actually quite painful. Anyway, I walked and walked, looking for something interesting to photograph. Unfortunately, there was nothing. As I got to the end of our land (the point), I sat on a rock and just looked out at the ocean. The shoreline was frozen and like I said, it was a very dreary "boring light" kinda day. I decided to take a couple of shots. My plan was to start out very low to the ground. With my lens at 20mm, I used hyper focal distance focusing to get a near to far sharp image. Honestly, the shots were boring, so I started to walk back to the cottage for a hot cup of coffee.

These next two images were taken on that day.

The one above was taken from the end of my piece of land and the one below taken from my wharf.

I think you will agree that because of the very flat light they are both very uninteresting.

About halfway back on the trail, I stopped and was looking at the snow hanging on the pines. I started to notice all sorts of things...icicles hanging from a pine tree, the broken branch of a tree, where the bark was a completely different colour against the white background, a few tips of pine needles poking through the snow and even a squirrel sat looking at me, while still nibbling away at his nuts at his stash.

At that moment, I remembered something I had learned a long time ago...

When you're out walking around - looking for images - every so often, you need to stop and put your camera up to your eye. This allows you to actually see, the "Image Within The Image". Our eyes can see close to 180 degrees with our peripheral vision. A big picture, that sometimes overshadows what we very often take for granted. I guarantee, if you look through the lens, you will see things you did not see before. By looking through the camera, you are focusing your attention on a smaller area. You are seeing what your lens will see. You can make this even more interesting, by getting very low to the ground or very near to an object. Try it ! You will be inspired ... I promise.

Now these next two images were taken only a matter of a few feet of the first images.

There is also another way to "see the image within the image" and believe me this works. When you're ready to take your shot - you have your scene or subject composed and ready to shoot - cup your hands around your eyepiece, blocking out all your peripheral vision and any extraneous light. By doing that, you are seeing exactly what your lens is seeing. Your composition will be way more exact - I promise.

Ever wonder why the pioneers of photography in the old days, had a black sheet pulled over their head to compose and take the shot? By the way, this concept is still used today with big view cameras. For those of you thinking, its to stop the stray light from entering the viewfinder on the camera, you're right! But, it's also a great composition tool. Just like cupping the eyepiece on your modern-day camera, it focuses your attention to what the lens is seeing.

The next two images, are a perfect example. The first image is of an old fishing stage in Salvage.
I have sold a large number of framed prints of this image. But, look very closely at the second fishing stage in the distance.

This next image is even more popular as a framed print in the gallery. I walked down the shoreline and looked at the second fishing stage.
The bright blue gloves immediately caught my attention.

The Picture Within The Picture.

Next time you find yourself searching for shots, try this tip ! If it works When it works for you, send me a comment or even a peek at some of your shots.

Until next time - Have fun.