PH | P3 | EX3: What matters is to look

'If you are not willing to see more than is visible, you won't see anything’

Ruth Bernhard (1902-2006)

Alberto Giacometti had already mastered the art of drawing when he discovered the problem of seeing both the whole figure and the detail simultaneously. When he concentrated on the whole, the details disappeared and conversely, the whole disappeared when detail took over. He didn’t know how to draw without compromising one or the other. The only reasonable solution was to let the brain choose the right movement without concentration.

Find a good viewpoint, perhaps fairly high up (an upstairs window might do) where you can see a wide view or panorama. Start by looking at the things closest to you in the foreground. Then pay attention to the details in the middle distance and then the things towards the horizon. Now try and see the whole view together, from the foreground to horizon (you can move your eyes). Include the sky in your observation and try to see the whole visual field together, all in movement. When you’ve got it, raise your camera and release the shutter. Add the picture and a description of the process to your learning log.

ISO 100 | 15-45@15mm | f16 | 1/80s

ISO 100 | 15-45@45mm | f14 | 1/80s

ISO 100 | 15-45@45mm | f14 | 1/80s

ISO 100 | 15-45@17mm | f22 | 1/80s

ISO 100 | 15-45@17mm | f22 | 1/30s

ISO 100 | 15-45@45mm | f40 | 1/15s

For this exercise I went to one of my favourite beaches around, where we have a very beautiful cliff views.

I was interested by looking into the details of the foreground, middle, even further, and then the sky.

I never thought about my photography as such, looking into the 3 or even 4 layers of the view separately, I always just go with what looks aesthetic to my eye, but I really liked how this exercise gave these images more depth and layers, and more details as well as all of the layers together.

Even though the brief asked to include the sky, I also wanted to experiment with the rocks of the cliff, the greenery and steepness of the cliff, the beach sand, and the ocean.

I also liked how this came out.

Reflection

I think the images are really cool, exactly for the fact they are including both the little details, and the view as a whole. I will defiantly incorporate this method in my photography from now on.