Tuesday, October 09, 2012

selective recall

Sight is a fascinating thing!  I mean, think about it.  Stuff exists whether we see it or not.  For example, the stars do not go away in the daylight, and the coffee table sits where it was last moved, even if you do not know it is there until you blindly walk into it in the middle of the night.  We have a certain perception of things that is based on how light comes from them, and/or is reflected from them, then how that data is filtered by our eyes, and finally how our brains process this information, right?

Well, the human eye and brain work together to do things that our cameras cannot do.  The eyes and brain make adjustments to focus and reconcile the light and darkness, color, motion, etc.  That is why we don't have a simple, one-button camera that just gets whatever you see.

It is one thing to try to use our tools to capture what you see, or what you think you see.  But then, what about what you want to see, or how you choose to remember certain aspects of what you saw?  Usually, I try to take pictures that closely resemble what my eyes see, but this scene was actually very dark, so that the autofocus didn't work.  First, I flipped a light switch for a little ambient light, but then I also aimed a remote flash up to the ceiling, and off to the side just a little.  I leaned a white board at the bottom to use as a reflector and... FLASH!  The light was overwhelming!  They waited patiently to let me make adjustments to match what my eyes saw.  You know what?  I would rather remember it this way.  My first picture is the favorite of the set.

What do I see?  My lovely daughter is safe and provided for.  It is an environment that is (usually) casual and relaxed.  Our humble abode is, well... irrelevant.

10 comments:

Pastor Dave said...

very cool pic!

George said...

I like this this photo as well, but I'm glad all three subjects patiently waited for you to make adjustments for additional shots.

EG CameraGirl said...

Your cat must be a laid-back feline to pose for you like that. And your daughter must be a sweetie!

Carletta said...

A wonderful candid shot of your lovely daughter! Many times I take ten photos thinking one will be IT. Just as many times the first one is the best.

It's funny in the comment you left me on my barn photos that you wished you had a barn and even studio space.
One of the first houses we looked at when moving back here was a charming little log cabin. Looking back it would have been too small for us. But, it came with a huge old barn. The day we walked through the barn we each claimed different spaces. A long awaited space to craft and show off my collectables and photographs was on my list. I preferred the concrete stalls. It's only about four miles from where we eventually settled so everytime I pass I think about the possibilites that could have been. :)

Craver Vii said...

I'm glad you like it, Mr. Dave.

George, I suppose it helped that they weren't "posing;" they were just sitting there. I saw the opportunity and went to them.

Thank you Denise. The overexposure was a most fortunate accident, I think.

He's an older cat CameraGirl, and the hardest thing to do is catch him with his eyes open. He sleeps 25 hours a day.

I can totally identify with your barn experience, Carletta. After all, what kind of artists would we be without our dreams?

lime said...

great job! i never would have known you'd struggled with darkness here.

imac said...

Your Daughter is a great Model too, she portrays contentment, among other qualities. oh, the Photographer isnt too bad either,lol, Great work, Craver - my friend.

Jackie said...

She's lovely, Craver.
You did a great job capturing the mood. Splendid photo....

Craver Vii said...

Oh Lime, I considered showing the more "realistic" pictures for comparison, but decided just to stick with the ethereal white space instead.

Good point, Imac. I have been hoping to find willing subjects for practicing portrait photography, and I should probably start with my own house. Your comment reminded me of a running joke. When I see a nice piece of work from one of my local photography buddies, I say that line we often hear from non-photographers... "Boy, you must have a great camera!" I'm sure they don't mean to be insulting, but it is pretty funny when you think about it. I mean, who tells a painter that he must have a great set of brushes, or a sculptor that he must have a fantastic chisel?!

Thanks so much, Jackie. It was providential that this mood was nice and easy, rather than a fleeting moment. Otherwise, I'd have to be lightning quick to catch it. I just have never excelled at being speedy.

Betty Manousos said...

wow, your daughter is so beautiful!!

love the photo. you did manage to capture the mood.

well done:)