I think perhaps one of the toughest aspects of nature photography is the struggle to assemble nature’s chaotic elements into some type of order that will make a 2-dimensional image effective. It is part of human nature to want to see things in an orderly manner. Therefore when we see an image that seems to be in harmony, we attribute more pleasing feelings towards it.
I happen to like the look of freshly fallen leaves on the ground, often to the point where I hate raking them up in my yard because I prefer their look to grass. But when trying to photograph them, visual chaos definitely takes over. At the same time, part of me wants to leave them representing the chaos that they are. Falling haphazardly from the trees depending on the wind alone. But chaos adds tension to an image, and might throw off its appeal. I often wonder why a completely random leaf pile can be so peaceful experiencing it in reality and have a need for some type of order when photographed.
More leaf photos can be found in my gallery.
I wonder if part of it might have to do with the fact that the camera lens is limited in what it “sees,” where the human eye is less so. Regardless of what an amazing media it is, photography sometimes just can NOT truly capture the “real thing.”
Maybe it’s just that Autumn smells so delicious…
I think the frame of the photograph imposes an artificial (but unavoidable) formality on the subject. Out in the wild, there is no frame, so your mind seeks out it’s own limits. But when the limit is enforced (by the borders of a photograph), your mind follows it’s lead.
Great composition is certainly a beautiful thing to behold. The best interior designer I’ve been around is color blind. Go figure.
I, too, hate to disturb the glory of fallen leaves by raking them up. I love the order you imposed on your pile of leave in the two photos.
It’s the artist in you that wants to compose… and that you did!
Mark, wishing you much a Blessed Thanksgiving with much harmony and peace.
P.S. Your “Red-Yellow Maple Pattern” image in your gallery is stunning!
I too love the look of fallen leaves. Having almost 40 trees in the 2 acres around my house provides me with a lot of opportunity to view autumn’s colorful carpet under them. That is, until the wind rolls up this hill and whisks them away across the road.