Griffiss International Sculpture Garden

I mentioned a photo walk with some people from work about two weeks ago. During that walk I got excited in one area trying to explain to a few new photographers how to create an image rather than “take” a picture. Although in my babbling I couldn’t convey my thoughts very well about photographing with intent. I was attempting to explain how to be deliberate and thoughtful in their approach to crafting the image they wanted to capture.

I really like the orange pagoda sculpture. Over the years I have taken quite a few images that include this sculpture. A few have been creative but most would be called snap shots…

This picture is a snap shot of the sculpture. No context, no story. The light isn’t bad, but what am I trying to say, or show? I’m not sure myself. I do like the colors. Orange and green are analogous on the color wheel but a better choice is a triad of colors when you include the blue in the sky.

So, for me the colors work. Plus, I really like the sculpture itself. There is definitely an image here. I was trying to explain all these thoughts during the walk and they all came flowing out in a messy jumble. I resorted to dragging a few of my friends over to where I thought the view would create the story.

I wanted them to see what I saw in my head as I envisioned the image I wanted to create. The path through the garden falls away toward the pagoda through some trees. I wanted to incorporate natural framing and use the path to lead the viewer into the pagoda. After the walk I returned to the garden to get my image.

Not quite what I wanted. Weather wasn’t good. I wanted more sunlight. I wanted the pagoda illuminated and there definitely needed better shadows. I also didn’t get any of the natural framing.

The other evening I went for another walk through the sculpture garden. I had the conditions I wanted. Now all I had to do was compose my story. Driving over I debated which lens to use and chose my 105mm macro lens. I needed the extra reach of this lens to let me compress the view.

I intended to include the walkway in the foreground. The gentle curve up the rise brings the viewer toward the pagoda. I consciously used the rise to hide the bottom of the sculpture. I didn’t want the concrete pad distracting the viewer. The trees on either side would complete the frame with the path and focus the image on the sculpture.

Another creative choice was using a larger aperture (f/5) and focusing on the sculpture. This would create a slightly out of focus foreground allowing the sculpture “shine”. The rule of thirds is in heavy use in this image as well. The foreground is in the bottom third, the pagoda is in the middle third as well as on the right third vertical.

To me, this image has a better story and shows my intent…