A story about two boxes of Forte brand Hungarian photo paper. And why you should spend most time behind the camera than processing images.
Let’s break the rule of thirds and other photography rules
Do you like to break rules? I do. Especially the ones that don’t make a lot of sense like the “rule of thirds”. This rule and others are some aesthetic rules in photography that are commonly encountered and taught. And the myths continue to live on and perpetuate (also by mindless copying) as online content ranging from youtube to forums … Read More
Composition in photography: approaching the subject
Composition in photography: definition In photography composition is the way in which something (a photograph) is put together or arranged. It is the combination of parts or elements that make up something. It is what we put in the frame and where we put it. In other words, it is the design, arrangement, layout of (compositional) elements in a photography … Read More
The intersection of creative art forms: music and photography
Many art forms appear to intersect at times. For me personally, the intersection of music and photography is particularly interesting. As an active musician and photographer, I am always surrounded by my tools: cameras and musical instruments. Naturally, I have been taking many pictures of my instruments. How can such connections / intersections help with creativity, beyond the obvious? For … Read More
The camera, the negative, the print – thoughts on film photography in 2020 (part 2)
Sharing my thoughts why I love film / analog photography. And why the what of photography is more important than the how. (Part 2 of 2).
The camera, the negative, the print – thoughts on film photography in 2020 (part 1)
Film photography in 2020 My journey back into film started in 2019. I thought it would be fun to discuss why I like film photography as my main medium. This is part 1 of a two part series. To read part two, click here. Nikon 35mm film camera with 35mm color film The renaissance of film photography Film photography has … Read More
Why I Choose Film for Street Photography
I’ve been questioned numerous times about my predilection for film photography. The interrogator’s rationale goes something like, “But digital is so convenient and you can do so many things with digital that you can’t do with film.” I don’t disagree. But none of that has anything to do with why I shoot film. As generic as the arguments for digital … Read More
Guest Post on 35mmc Photography Blog: Architectural photography with a 50mm lens (and some thoughts on minimalism)
I wrote another guest blog for Hamish Gill’s 35mmc Blog Site, you can find it here. Some thoughts on Minimalism I have long been fascinated and influenced minimalism as an art form, minimalist design and minimalist architecture. When I was younger, I studied the works of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and other architects, and still own some “minimalist” furniture … Read More
2020
“The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.”― Lao Tzu, Te Tao Ching Sometimes less is more, so that’s my first post in 2020 and the new decade. Pictures taken with Nikon FE, 28mm lens with macro tube and Ilford Pan F 50 B&W film.
Emotion and Creativity
Emotion and creativity: do you “feel” creative? What does emotion have to do with creativity. Well, probably a whole lot. “Experiencing sadness and anger can make you feel more creative, and by being creative you can get beyond your pain or negativity.”– Yoko Ono Yoko Ono is right. I have been going through a lot of sadness … Read More
Bokeh and creativity
Bokeh and creativity What the hell is bokeh? The term Bokeh /bōˈkā/ describes how lenses render out of focus areas of images (stills or video/cinema). The aesthetic quality of the out of focus (blurred) areas in the images shared below can be called “Bokeh”. Wikipedia defines Bokeh as the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of … Read More
Mindfulness in photography
One of the readers of my newsletter commented that she loved the mindfulness my photography encourages. While we all love compliments and I specifically loved this one, I was particularly intrigued by the connection of mindfulness and photography, a connection I have not explored until now.
The beauty of small things
In commercial product photography including macro photography, one has to pay a lot of attention to detail with regards to creating an overall image that is hopefully artistic, unique, technically proficient, and overall compelling. Details of composition, lighting, exposure, highlights, shadows, reflections, surfaces, textures, colors balance, saturation, luminosity, gradients, backgrounds, foregrounds, sharpness, edges, negative space, contrast all matter, and of … Read More