Last week’s Friday Mystery Place took me by surprise in that nobody recognized the castle in the background. Of course, this image was a wee bit tricky, as the true subject was the beautiful Robin in the foreground, so that the castle was blurry in the background.
When Judith, whose blog Judith Reid Natural Health is worthy of your reading time (go read it!), narrow it down to Scotland, I thought that at least one of my readers might have visited it the lovely Isle of Mull, in which case they would have recognized Duart Castle, home of the Clan MacLean. During our visit to the castle, we even met Sir Lachlan Hector Charles Maclean, 28th Chief of Clan MacLean, as he was working on the property.
Let’s try again this week and see, if I’m right that lots of folks will know the answer to this one!
All those paparazzi!
Where in the United States do these ponies roam free and get harassed by annoying photographers?
Technical Details
This image was captured with a Canon EOS 5D Mk III and an EF 24-105mm f/4L lens. The exposure settings were at 1/250 seconds at f/4 and 640 ISO.
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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8 thoughts on “Friday Mystery Place – vol. 29”
Thanks for the mention Frank.:) Love the pony, but my knowledge of the USA isn’t very extensive so don’t know the answer. Beautiful photo 🙂
Thanks for the mention Frank.:) Love the pony, but my knowledge of the USA isn’t very extensive so don’t know the answer. Beautiful photo 🙂
Thank you, Judith. These ponies are not as famous as the horses of the Camargue, but well known on this side of the Atlantic.
Chincoteague ponies on Assateague island
You’re spot on!
I would like to see them some day.
It’s worth the trip!
No kidding! Cool to know 🙂 I had no idea. Thanks Frank wonderful post.