Forms From The River

[AndrewMcD]

These forms emerging from the river fascinated me with the sinuous shapes. I have other similar images taken while on a river in a kayak this past weekend. I've been torn between trying to work them into something (quite honestly I've become a bit fixated with them for a few days) or concluding they won't go where I want ......and I'm not even quite sure where that is.

[Shadowman]

Nice, a lot of hidden gems within this image. Looks like a rabbit at bottom near right. Good sense of movement along the roots.

[bnnrcn]

Yes there is a rabbit there,nice image

[Kyle]

I can see why you're fascinated with it. It's a very interesting set of roots and an interesting image. Good job capturing it.

[NorthernFocus]

I've often had similar experiences, getting fascinated with a scene and struggling to figure out how to capture my own fascination in an image. What I do in those cases is to contemplate what it is that has my attention with the scene. Then try to figure out how to create the image to focus attention on that aspect of the scene. It's said that photography is the art of exclusion, i.e. excluding things from the scene that don't add to the story you're trying to tell. Since you mention the curves and you're receiving comments about the rabbit, maybe you're not there just yet.

You definitely picked a challenging "opportunity" for yourself

[tbob]

I second Dan's comment. I would get close, really close to isolate the curve, the weathered surface and wood grain. For instance; a shot with just the knot and the curving wood in the centre of your shot. Angle the camera so the dominant lines are diagonals in the image. Usually it will be some small element of the overall log that has caught your eye. However don't discount the possibility of larger patterns formed by multiple logs.

There; my usual advice of do one thing but then consider everything else. I usually do this best at times of shifting or transient light so I end up paralysed by indecision and do nothing.

[IzzieK]

Try to capture this fascinating object (lack of better term) in different angles and lengths and widths. Explore different sides to it so you might find what it is that it wants you to take a shot of...I believe this one is begging to be photographed. And oh, show us what you got more from this one...just a suggestion...

[AndrewMcD]

Thanks to all for their comments. Dan's comment "It is said that photography is the art of exclusion" is truly proving to be the most difficult skill for me to learn. Trevor makes the comment "don't discount the patterns formed by multiple logs" and between the two comments they have pretty much characterized the dilemma for me. My eye is frequently attracted by patterns and shapes but the inability to exclude the unimportant from the image too often gets the best of me. While this image isn't what my mind, I am learning from the failures. Not only learning about the art and craft of photography but also about how I look at things.

While folks here have seen a rabbit my sister, daughter and wife all independent of one another see a hippo! Clearly I failed to properly make the sinuous curves the subject. Though the conditions of light, tide and season will likely be different the next time I am on that river I will have a camera and revisit my vision.

Andrew

[Wavelength]

I too see the rabbit ; very nice

[jamn4ex]

Not to add to the confusion... but Trevor and Dan have both hit well on solid points, Lizzie also made good point about working all the angles. If you still are not finding what you want. Think about the play of natural light on the scene maybe it would be better to shoot early morning or at dusk, maybe I want stark dramatic shadows of afternoon...ect.