Exploring infrared techniques, as seen in the striking image titled “Ethereal Beacon” taken at Tower Hill Botanic Garden.
In some of my past posts I have written about my enjoyment of experimenting with my photography, among which Infrared photography has played and will continue to play a role. In ‘A Thursday Throwback‘ from a couple of weeks ago, I shared an image that I still enjoy in its ethereal black & white looks, which has many greens turn to bright white.
In today’s image, I took a different approach in treating the image…
Ethereal Beacon
This shot came about during an infrared photography walk at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts. There were a lot of interesting images that came about that day (and I will share more of them in upcoming posts), and this one really stood out among them.
I have a fondness for capturing sunbursts, as they can sometimes produce a striking image. To achieve the desired angle, I positioned myself rather flat on the ground and wiggled into just the right angle to get the Sun placed behind the allium flower. I also had a bit of luck, as it appears that a small element detached itself from the flower to float up into the air a bit.
I’ll put together a series of posts on my infrared experimentation at a later time, as it is a lot of fun to work through the process of visualizing what might be and then post-processing to get the desired and hoped-for results.
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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