photography – Page 112

Thursday’s Special: Descent

I’m not a huge fan of descending a spiral staircase, but they do have aesthetic appeal.

Thursday’s Special: Mirroring

The Jardin du Palais Royal, Paris, France

This elegant urban space is fronted by the neoclassical Palais Royal (closed to the public), constructed in 1633 by Cardinal Richelieu but mostly dating to the late 18th century. Louis XIV hung out here in the 1640s; today it is home to the Conseil d’État .

See more mirroring over at Paula’s site

Curves

Following on from Paula’s challenge last week which was all about lines, the WP challenge this week is about curves. Curves and lines are important ways in which to compose an image, and draw the viewer in. Curves are also fun to photograph.

A curvaceous entrance in to the walled garden leads you to all sorts of curves

Outside the walled garden is a pathway lined with mounds of neatly clipped yew

and a very curvy bird bath

Taken at Berrington Hall in Herefordshire last October. What curves inspire you?

Leading lines…

Paula’s black and white Sunday this week is all about Diagonals. In photography there are many ways to compose an image. Line, shape, and form are three building blocks to add depth and interest to your photos. This week Paula wants us to look at the way leading lines – whether intentional or accidental or man-made or natural – draw your eye through a photograph.

I was looking through my recent beach photos, not a subject I’d normally select for black and white photography, when I noticed how many shots use the effect of shooting on the diagonal, to draw the viewer into the picture. Have a look and see if you agree.

(Above) I used the softly curving waves to draw the eye along the beach – these are always at a natural diagonal.

(Below) Paths, boardwalks, fencing are all man-made, but position yourself in the right spot and the eye is drawn along the perimeter into the distance. In the first image the direction of the fence post shadows also lead you along the path.

and in these two the fence takes you over the undulating dunes.

Please visit Paula to see other representations of this week’s challenge.

Thursday’s Special

Paula’s (Lost in Translation) challenge this week is slightly different than usual in that she has provided a list of words from which to pick one to illustrate.

I am going for decrepit: adjective meaning – worn out or ruined because of age or neglect; dilapidated; rickety; run-down; broken-down; ramshackle; worn-out; derelict; falling to pieces; on its last legs

I like photographing old and decrepit things and on a trip around the Canyons a few years ago we came across this abandoned ‘village’ near Marble Canyon, AZ. During the Great Depression, a few white settlers built a small town of wooden structures with shingle roofs that still cling to gigantic boulders in a moon-like setting at the foot of Vermilion Cliffs. They were known as the Cliff Dwellers.

How anyone survived in this desolate landscape I have no idea.

Please pop over to see Paula if you would like to join in.