capturing a feeling

In Community, Digital, Inspiration
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If ever there was a quote that has inspired me as a photographer, it is this one:   “Don’t shoot what it looks like. Shoot what it feels like.” —- David Alan Harvey

One of the motivations that drives me to shoot personal work is the desire to capture the essence of what a particular moment felt like to me.  I don’t crave a literal or precise image, although I do love how other artists capture them.  Instead I long for the soul of a moment.  I’m looking for something almost intangible — joy, gratitude, sense of place, wonder, the ephemeral.   One of the techniques I fall back on again and again when I am trying to capture the essence of a what moment feels like to me is a silhouette.

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I love how a silhouette can highlight a gesture,

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or frame a subject with a spectacular background,

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or freeze the action.

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Sometimes I go for stark contrast between the subject and the background.

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Other times I think the details of the environment are lovely, so I look for softer contrast.

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Traditionally silhouettes are shot outdoors, just as the sun is going down.

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But I have wonderful luck shooting silhouettes indoors, with the subject framed near a portal or window.  This is simple to achieve as long as the subject is closer to the source of light than the camera.

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Don’t have any human subjects at your disposal?  I think a silhouette can be lovely when there are other elements creating contrast, such as architecture or in this case, power lines.

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Have you ever reflected on why you shoot or what you are driven to capture?    Are there certain techniques you rely on to express your vision?  I learn so much by connecting with other photographers and would love to hear what moves you to grab your camera and click.

xoxo

Deb

 

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