House on the Potomac River, Colonial Beach, Virginia
I watched the first two installments of nature and landscape photographer Robert Clark’s Artist-in-Residence for FRAMES. I was fascinated as Robert walked along the battlefields of Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland and managed to see and compose photos that I would have likely overlooked. Sometimes I am not sure if it’s that I don’t see in this way or if it’s simply that I haven’t developed the knowledge and skills to take these kinds of photographs.
Coincidentally, I started to research information on camera lenses. I’m hoping to upgrade my camera body and add a new lens this year. I love prime lenses, and I read an article on 35mm versus 50mm versus 85mm lenses. Much of what I know about photography I’ve learned through trial and error. Let’s see what this does! But in the process, there are some gaps in my knowledge. For example, I hadn’t really tried using my 35mm lens to take landscape photographs—or at least not very often. I paid attention when Robert Clark described his technique. Follow the light. (I had to work with what I had. Bright high contrast, mid-day light.) Always use a tripod. (I didn’t.) Set the aperture for f11. (I almost always shoot at wide apertures.) Use focus bracketing. (I don’t even know exactly what this is, but I’ll look it up this week).
But for today, all that mattered was that I was trying to see and shoot differently.
The tools and the techniques don’t change my voice.
They simply give me another means of expression.
Pump House, Colonial Beach, Virginia