Graf
Photography

exploring nature’s infinite connections

Notes from the Woods

seeing · environment · exploration · photography

Don’t leave me alone

Written by Mark

Born and raised in Detroit, c. 323 ppm CO2, Mark Graf is a Michigan photographer, naturalist, and diver whose muse is summoned by exploring the endless connections in nature; land, sea, and sky.

Creativity and Philosophy

10 Comments(s)

Thursday, January 22, 2009

California Sea Lion

California Sea Lion

So what to water lilies have to do with sea lions?  I was rescuing some more images from Picture Purgatory and came across a couple that seemed to have a similar concept to them.  I couldn’t help but notice how important the elements other than the main subject were to the image.   Isolation is great for creating drama and impact, and just as background creates an important role in isolation, it can also create a supporting role as well.   The extra elements may cause you to have more curiosity about what is going on, change what is being communicated entirely, or give you a better sense of place.   Of course the pitfalls are when those elements are not helping your main subject and become a distraction.

Instead of just a sea lion on a beach – I wonder – why is this particular sea lion hanging out with all these harbor seals?   The sea lion’s body posture is quite a stark contrast to the posture of his beach-potato companions.   Even the coat is a bit of a contrast, sleek vs. patterned and furry.   I suppose that is what I like most about it.    The other image, a simple water lily.  The lily pads in the frame just add another supporting element.    Sometimes our subjects like a little company in the frame.

Water Lily & pads

Water Lily & pads

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10 Comments

  1. Belinda
    Belinda on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    Clearly the sea lion knows a thing or two about composition and has deliberately positioned himself in a surround where he will stand out. Classic animal posturing 😉

  2. thomas fallen
    thomas fallen on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 12:39 AM

    I love the sea lion photo, they are one of my favourite animals. No intelligent and inquisitive.

  3. Rachel Clarkson
    Rachel Clarkson on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    both pictures are beautiful, but I must say…the sea lion just stole my heart! It makes me want to pet him, he is so cute!

  4. Google Shadow
    Google Shadow on Monday, February 16, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    Nice post, and nice photos, especially the sea lion.

  5. Wakefield Studios
    Wakefield Studios on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 10:30 AM

    Very, very nicely done sir, keep up the good work!

  6. Jackie
    Jackie on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 5:07 PM

    yeah…….those photos are great……i must confess that i can not say which one a I like more…….both are great….:)

  7. Mark
    Mark on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 6:47 PM

    Lana, Ron, Laurie, thanks a lot.

  8. Laurie
    Laurie on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 1:26 PM

    Both of these are really beautiful photos. I like the Sea Lion especially. There is something really captivating about his posture.

  9. Ron Niebrugge
    Ron Niebrugge on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 11:28 AM

    Hey Mark,

    You need to keep digging in your picture purgatory – you seem to have an endless supply of gems in there!

    Ron

  10. Lana
    Lana on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 1:33 AM

    Good points, of course!