30 November 2015
Lens:
I. Conversion to Black and White in Romantic
1. Autumn Foliage Sanctuary; Copyright © 2015 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved
II. Post Processed in Romantic
2. Autumn Foliage Sanctuary; Copyright © 2015 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved
Let me know which you prefer and why. Click to enlarge image.
Pens:
Human memories are selective, and the invention of photography did something that no other medium could do: actually freezing a moment in real time. The confines of the photographic frame produces a visual of what our synapses store. And in that stilling memory becomes a long-lasting treasure trove of personal experience.
To recall a moment can be similar or entirely fresh from the capture itself: the conditions behind the image. To commemorate that aspect of one’s life is to keep it safe for resurrection at a time and place of one’s choice.
Sometimes the replica carries emotions to their heights. It can even become all-consuming for just enough time to understand why it was created. Nevertheless, the photograph marks a notch on one’s journey.
These thoughts were very much on my mind over the last few days. After a glorious family event on Friday night, the construct of the visual experience was necessary. While the glorious occasion is crystal clear, the details will slowly become whatever I choose them to be.
When you are in the moment, it’s hard to truly, really truly, grasp total meaning and its present and longterm effects. Joyously or not the photograph becomes the source of reality, but it can also become a dreamlike force for interpretation. So if photography is memory, then the image is the moment–a moment of sanctuary in a lifetime of them.
In the Lens section is an image taken this month in the midst of autumn’s blanketing the entrance to a path that hugs the White Clay Creek. The ground was heavily covered with foliage, which was magnificent in its layers. Some leaves hid, others peeked from underneath, and still others summoned me to gaze at their soft dusting upon the surface.
All I could do was stare and caution my thoughts. Then I realized why the blanketing seemed so arresting. The scene reminded me of early still life paintings. The simple and yet completed rendering of objects and subjects to implore the mind to rethink what we see and how we see it. Nature provided a stirring landscape for contemplation and relaxation.
Tip of the Week:
“Personally, I think of Magnum as a harbor that both protects us and challenges us to be out in the rough and challenging seas.”~~ Susan Meiselas
Magnum Photos is a collective of photographers. It is a photojournalistic source seen through the lens of very talented artists (click here). Its seventy-year history has produced and collected works that are world renown. The agency sponsors touring exhibitions (click here) and a blog (click here). Its founders (Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, George Rodger and David Seymour) hoped to create a group of artists who supported each others’ works and who kept control of their own images. From its website: “Magnum Photos provides photographs to the press, publishers, advertising, television, galleries and museums across the world. The Magnum Photos library is a living archive updated daily with new work from across the globe. The library houses all the work produced by Magnum photographers and some special collections by non-members. There are approximately one million photographs in both print and transparency in the physical library, with over 500,000 images available online.” It’s worth spending time perusing its site.
Magnum, 2008
View other entries for this week’s challenge:
https://chasinglifeandfindingdreams.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/the-beauty-of-life/
http://ohmsweetohm.me/2015/12/01/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-editing-and-processing-3/
https://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-the-streets/
https://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2015/12/04/starlight-star-bright/
Note:
As always I welcome comments about this post or any part of my blog. My photographs for the mobile photography challenge are taken with an iPhone 6.
If you’d like to join this Mobile Photography Challenge, please click here for details and history of the challenge. If you have any questions, please contact me. Below is a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming challenges:
1st Monday: Nature.
2nd Monday: Macro.
3rd Monday: Black and White.
4th Monday Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Animals, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Objects, Panorama, Portraiture, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).
5th Monday: Editing and Processing with Various Apps Using Themes from the Fourth Week.
Lens and Pens by Sally 
Again, both are such lovely images, but with very different sensibilities. The black and white reminds me of a pen and ink drawing-the textures and lines are distinct and create lovely patterns. The second reminds me of a pictorial impression-it is about light and dark and there is a lovely fluidity about the entire image which draws the viewer in. Wonderful Sally!
Meg, have fun with your dogs, and know that they’ll have a memorable holiday. Thanks for your thoughtful response.
I like the softer look of the sepia tones… seems to go better with the fallen leaves.
Thank you for your comment and visit.
I like the sepia toned. It’s soft. Someplace where I could sit in the leaves with my back against a soft tree. Very inviting!
Janet, I appreciate your comment. Thanks.
I like both but prefer the black and white (first )photo over the romantic. Not sure how to explain why. But I just do. I like your description about the foliage scenes to be like still life images. Oh yes! 🙂
Sometimes we just are drawn to one image or another, and we cannot explain it. Truly, I understand. Thanks so much for your comment.
Must admit I always lean toward sepia Sally, so the second is my choice on this one.
Tina, lovely to hear from you. I appreciate your comment. thanks.
I really cant’ choose a favourite this week Sally. Both draw me in and evoke a sense of calm. The first is a more rational, clinical calm; the latter more akin to the feeling of waking from a peaceful dream.
Su, I really enjoyed your response to my images. Autumn provides such moments of quiet and tranquility as does all the seasons. See you soon. Thanks.
Loved number 1!
Virginia, thanks so much.
Beautiful photos, Sally. I think I will vote for the first one this time, for it’s clearer definition of subtle tones. And, yes, Magnum has meant a lot for documentary photography in general.
Otto, thanks so much.
Beautiful photos and thoughts,dear Sally!Although the leaves are asymmetrically arranged,there is a harmonious proportion attained.The second one with the sepia tones is more autumnal and still while in the first one there is a soft lighting that renders silvery bright tones and a sense that the leaves will start quivering …
You’ve touched my heartstrings. Thanks.
Yay! Made it over here this week Sally. http://wp.me/p1KAF8-2Jr
Quite a strong image in the photos, a wide trunk like that with sturdy roots that seems more than ready to withstand the onset of a brutal winter! I think the romantic photo has a slight edge, as it fits in with autumn’s tones.
Amanda, thanks you for your thoughtful response to my photographs.
I had a hard time deciding which I like more today, Sally. I think I favor the dreamy edit on the second one; it makes me think of the cloudy fall days like we’re having today.
Thanks for the links to Magnum, I had found it somewhere awhile back…and then forgot about it.
Angeline, my pleasure–thanks for your thoughtful comment.
I like both of your photos this week. The first one is almost a fine engraving and the second a dreaming pen and ink wash. The light sepia tone really makes it pop. I’ll have one for you tomorrow, Sally.
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Allan, you brought a huge smile across my afternoon with your response to my images. Thank you so much.
I have to chime in and agree with Allan, Sally. I kept scrolling up and down, trying to decide. 🙂
janet
Janet, your reaction to my images pleases me. Thanks so much for your comment.
I found myself drawn to the first photo. Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure, see you soon.
I love the first one. It looks like a pen and ink drawing. The second one looks less “specific” to me, a bit unfinished.
Luanne, it is always a revelation to get other’s responses to my images. Thanks so much.
Usually I have a hard time deciding which of yours I like best, but this time it was a hands-down moment.
It’s amazing how we each respond to the visual–the nuances and specifics that grab us. See you soon. Thanks so much.