Thanks to everyone who checked out and participated in last week’s challenge of Vegetables. The turn-out was great and the entries were interesting and innovative! It’s hard to believe that we’re ready to hit the 10th iteration of this challenge!
This week, I’m turning to something that we see everwhere around the world, which can really tell us something about its purpose: Fence. Ranging from the proverbial, and sometimes literal, white picket fence to mark our garden boundary to electric fence to keep cattle contained and decorative wrought iron fence around a churchyard.
The choices are many, so I’m counting on you to put together something really creative and pleasing to the eye. Here’s a simple sample of a fence image from a couple of years ago…
The Lone Fence
What caught my interest with this fence were the texture contrast between snow and fence, as well as the shadows and the fact that it was standing all alone. For extra credit, can you tell me the function of this fence?
For those who’d like to participate in this weekly challenge, the rules are the following:
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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Yes, a very interesting picture for its sense of isolation in the snow. Should I climb over it or walk round it? I suspect this is a training hurdle, perhaps for dogs!
🙂 Ha! Nope. The only issue here will be in editing myself. 🙂
Just bring it on 🙂
You got it! 🙂
Cool! Love this photo. Is it training for dogs or horses? Not sure for what purpose, yet it seems like it could be something like that.
I start a spiritual conference tomorrow night, so I’m not 100% sure I’ll be able to participate in this week’s challenge. I’m going to do my best, Frank! I do have an idea already, so we’ll see. (the Conference goes from early morning to late in the day!) Blessings. 🙂
Thank you, Debbie. Have a great conference! Given the weekend, I will probably do the round-up later on Monday to give folks a bit of extra time. You can always enter late.
The fence is actually for sheep herding, as dog and handler have to drive the flock around the fence.
I was going to use the guy who buys all my stolen property, but he refuses to be photographed for some reason. Guess I’ll go with a traditional fence for this one
Disclaimer: Comment written in jest. Meandering Maverick has never, nor intends to ever steal anything.
Dutch goes the Photo! 
Lovely photo……..
Thank you very much!
Yes, a very interesting picture for its sense of isolation in the snow. Should I climb over it or walk round it? I suspect this is a training hurdle, perhaps for dogs!
Hmm. Interesting conjecture, but a bit tall for a dog. You are on the right track, though not jumping.
Lovely photo and looking forward to this theme! 🙂
I figured that you wouldn’t be on the fence about this one 🙂
🙂 Ha! Nope. The only issue here will be in editing myself. 🙂
Just bring it on 🙂
You got it! 🙂
Cool! Love this photo. Is it training for dogs or horses? Not sure for what purpose, yet it seems like it could be something like that.
I start a spiritual conference tomorrow night, so I’m not 100% sure I’ll be able to participate in this week’s challenge. I’m going to do my best, Frank! I do have an idea already, so we’ll see. (the Conference goes from early morning to late in the day!) Blessings. 🙂
Thank you, Debbie. Have a great conference! Given the weekend, I will probably do the round-up later on Monday to give folks a bit of extra time. You can always enter late.
The fence is actually for sheep herding, as dog and handler have to drive the flock around the fence.
I was going to use the guy who buys all my stolen property, but he refuses to be photographed for some reason. Guess I’ll go with a traditional fence for this one
Disclaimer: Comment written in jest. Meandering Maverick has never, nor intends to ever steal anything.
LMAO! I figured you might put a fence on the fence, if he wasn’t sure about being photographed anywhere but the post office 🙂
Good call 😁