A Moment Together

Soft lighting and the curvy textures of Veratrum leaves and

wildflowers growing harmoniously make for a beautiful intimate scene

that caught my eye in Nevada's Ruby Mountains.

One word. Excellent. Regards.

Fantastic use of light and shadow, color and clairity.

Superb composition, gorgeous light, and expertly photographed.

All the best,
Neil

The tip of all petals are yellow, like faded and it is good! It wouldn't be good if only one of them was that!

PDE

Wonderful work, Marc and beautiful subject!

From a compositional point of view I only find the lower part of the frame a bit "empty" and I would like to see the end of the two leaves which are cropped... but this is only my first feeling. I still confirm you that this is a great shot!

Regards, Alberto.

I think this is one of the best examples of flower photos. Beside that, the process that shows perfectly the transition between light and shaded areas is also perfect. And the contrast of flowers against the leaves completes the overall composition. Congratulations...

That light is amazing same thoughs about the colors here too :)

Just beautiful!

This is a "WOW" I often look at your work, in fact have you saved to my favorites along with all your other websites. I usually don't comment as you already know how amazing your photos are!

This one however just takes my breath away and I am curious how you accomplished the glow. Did you layer using orten? I really like what you have presented here and thank you for sharing

Sorry to hear about your lens....bummer! I think I would have cried!

All the best, Pamela

very good work, nice light and details

I enjoyed your beautiful photo, wonderful lighting and color. Well done.

This is sensational Marc! Having three flowers instead of two or four is the culminating quality. The odd number works far better than an even number and three is the probably the best choice because of it's simplicity. The single corn lily leaf reaching into the group also connects the two plant types. I've seen great corn lily images in b&w, but because you have introduced the complimentary purple to the vibrant green, this is a very successful color image. What makes it really pop, however, is the chiaroscuro lighting, which gives this wonderful depth. Now for my suggestion. It is minor and it probably goes against your style, so take it as an observation, but heed it cautiously. Your ability to render compositions with centered subjects is sometimes confounding. We all know the rule (guideline) that says don't center the subject or point of interest. Yet when you do just that, it works. It often times isn't even noticeable. My comps are rarely if ever centered, so I look at this with some envy perhaps. When I say heed with caution, I mean don't change your style. Meanwhile, it could also signal a rut if you will. I would be interested in seeing more of your comps utilize the intersection of thirds grid (I am sure you have several such comps in your portfolio, but I am eluding to this and others that go against that ideology). I am not saying I prefer one over the other per se, just that using one or the other makes a significant difference in the viewers perception of a scene. In this case, it is not so tangibly visible, but in others such as a mountain peak, it is more evident. As usual, I offer my sincere thoughts. BTW, heart wrenching to hear of you lens loss. Like losing a favorite dog!

Hi Mark.  No, not quite as bad as loosing a favorite dog but still.... I got a 17-40 f/4 to replace it because I want a smaller lens I can filter and take with me along side the Nikon 14-24 f/2.8 I am also getting (I have an adapter being made for it to fit the Canon mount). 

Regarding centered subjects, I feel this is also an example of the rule of thirds being applied here.  Many of my 'centered' images work on the rule of thirds, and in this case it's on the horizontal aspect.  Third lily, third flower, third lily.  Others work on the vertical aspect.  Just because it's a rule of thirds doesn't mean the thirds are all different, just that they're there. 

As far as putting the main focal point in the center, it's something I do subconsciously, like most of my photography.  Compositional design for me is innate.  It's something that just is.   I can break it all down in retrospect, analyze my decisions and speculate on the why's behind it, but when I'm in the field I just do.  I can elaborate on why I'm doing what I do if I try, but I don't when I'm by myself.  My art controls me perhaps more than I do it.

So true! I used to submit images to Webshots for their screensavers. Then I began shooting for them on speculation so I could increase my productivity. They only accept horizontal images. Therefore, I began shooting almost exclusively horizontal. Over time it became "innate" or maybe almost habitual. I didn't think about it. Last year I took a good look at my portfolio and realized I was at about 85 to 90% horizontal. This year I decided to at least consider getting vertical more often. That meant thinking consciously as opposed to subconsciously, otherwise nothing would change. Problem is, conscious thought tends to stifle creativity, at least temporarily. I used to shoot with grads. It took a long time to break away from my reliable filters, but it was a commitment that changed me and my approach, for the better I think. I like to read William Neill's article in OP. He often talks about reassessing his approach and identifying patterns in his approach as a healthy way of promoting growth in his craft. I see the rule of thirds in this image now that you point it out. The rule of thirds is just a guideline, so as I said, it is not as tangible as say under or overexposure. Those are clear cut rules, do not over or under expose. Meanwhile, now that I don't use grads, I shoot many under and overexposed images, it is actually required in the process of blending or fusing bracketed exposures. Therefore, toss that rule (of course it will apply to the final blended image). Anyway, rules or guidelines have a place, but our evolution as photographers should be guided more so by weather they work for us and align with our vision. Still, it is our vision that we can from time to time reassess, and rules and guidelines might play a part in that process. 

Yes, although I personally do air on the side of caution when it comes to reassessing vision or thinking about rules in doing so (ain't broke don't fix it philosophy).  I think vision does change, but how I'm not sure when it comes to myself.  You see it in everything from bands to athletes.  Whether it's a golfer trying a new swing to a rock band trying an acoustic album.  Sometimes it works and other times not - a conscious change, that is.  The worst case is, like you said, it can stifle creativity and furthermore, perhaps even contribute to confusion in the artistic process, having trouble getting back to your roots (look at numerous bands and artists who have tried new directions after succeeding in one).   Best case though, I can say I've personally helped many an artist identify things that may work better for them but to be truly successful they've only used my input as a starting point from which to develop.  It can surely work both ways.

"Changing horses in the middle of the stream" is risky. Having conviction and commitment to your vision is sound practice. You have excellent vision as a photographer and you have solid commitment in your efforts. It's like "branding" a product or service, absolutely essential. Our discussion is merely food for thought. I have jumped around at times and probably have become unfocused. A heart performs better with a steady beat. Keep it up!

Very artfully captured and processed! All things work here. Bravo.

Hamid.

Nicely composed, Marc, the slightly more square layout gives it a very peaceful feeling for me.

The lighting is the work of a craftsmen, the composition is outstanding, the photo is unforgettable. A wonderful work of art.

To make it short: Perfect!

Hi Marc - I enjoyed reading the Mark - Marc discussion about creativity and compostion.  Marc - what you said about your vision being inate and subconscience really rings true for me.  I'm much the same way - I just get in the zone and I know what feels right without actually much thought. Although I do enjoy experimenting and trying new things.  I've seen your style evolve over the years and broaden from your classic wide-angle landscape to shots like this beauty and other intimate landscapes. 

Like you, I've been doing the slow, contiplative tripoded landscape photography for years, but now that I'm leading more boat-based photography tours, I've had to learn a whole new approach for fast moving wildlife and hand-holding from a rocking boat.  The new improved performance at high ISO has made this type of shooting a whole lot easier (I would have never tried these kind of shots using Velvia 50).  So I'm guessing that our styles, our vision, and our methods will continue to evolve right along with technology... The trick is to enjoy the ride.

Don Paulson 

Great shot. I love the light and contrast.

In my opinion its not just a photograph. Its a dream. U in one sense discourage many people like us. After seeing your work i feel like stop taking photos and throw my camera away.

Wow !!

Facinating work, Marc...

Like an elegant dance. A pleasure to look at ! cheers Jana