On this Winter Solstice, temperatures have been somewhat typical here in Michigan. December always seems to be a bit of a roller-coaster ride of weather here as winter starts to assert its dominance. Not quite the winter wonderland yet, but trees have certainly dropped their leaves except for a few die-hard holdouts. I see a lot of referrals by other photographers to this time of year as “Stick Season” or “Season of Browns” as the exhilaration of Autumn color fades with the seasonal transition and grey skies. However, I’ve always enjoyed this time of year when nature limits the color palette we have to work with. I believe it forces you to be a bit more of a careful observer when there isn’t exploding color 360 degrees around you.
It’s true, there is certainly a lot of ‘browns’ (forgive my color naïveté Pantone people) – but one would be missing out on a lot of softer, more subtle complimentary colors if they were to dismiss this time of year so easily. I characterize nature’s palette for this time of year to be quite similar to the limited colors used by Dutch master painter Rembrandt van Rijn. He’s well known for using deep, dark, warm, harmonious tones. While I am not well versed in art history enough to know if his color palette use was more influenced by personal choice or what was affordable and available in Holland in the 1600s, there is no doubt this specifically limited palette is frequently attributed to his masterful style. As such, I think this time of year is quite a nice fit giving it a bit more elegance than one characterized by sticks and a single color.
Every time I’ve been to the Detroit Institute of Arts, the paintings from this period with limited colors but dramatic use of light usually capture my attention the most. Everything just seems to be in harmony, not much pulling your attention this way and that. I believe there are photographic lessons to be learned from this, which is why I continue to be enthusiastic about learning more about color harmonies and conflicts. Just as a high contrast area in a photograph can pull your attention away, so can an errant color.
Photos for the Solstice
So, while I was thinking about this post, doing some research, and then hunting through my archives for photos I’ve made during Rembrandt season, my dogs interrupted me to go outside for playtime.
I realized I hadn’t photographed since concluding my Leaf Creatures project in November. So while they were engaged in husky play (aka. Mortal Kombat), I took my camera outside to explore the slushy ice layer coating our yard.
There I saw the Vermillions, Yellow Ochre’s, bone blacks, and lead whites that were all that famous Dutch guy had to work with staring back at me. Needles from our Dawn Redwood trees laying under the ice like brushstrokes.
Indeed, Rembrandt Season is here.
from the gallery Nature’s Details
Featured Top Image: Exposure Dec 2016, Developed Dec 2021, Sycamore leaves and leaf litter LE10592, Fuji XT2/XF18-55, part of Leaf Patterns, Piles, and Personas gallery
Beautiful work. I really like the subdued tones and near monochromatic frame.
Thank you Alessandra. It can be an interesting time to explore , though lately it is all covered in slush
Never thought about Rembrandt’s palette of deep, dark, warm, harmonious tones. So, I learned something from you today.
Might be worth looking around for…. it seems that way here in MI
Rembrandt season! Very good. We’re back to a blank canvas but at times a Jackson Pollack will appear on that canvas. Nice post, Mark.
It imagine it won’t be long before it looks more white here. Pollack won’t be so bad then! 🙂 Thanks Joe.
Oh man… you can make photos like THAT in your backyard?! I guess I’d be out there all the time!
Also, thanks for the extra chuckle — sounds like Huskies play a bit ruff? 😉
yeah, they raised a few eyebrows with guests the other night not used to their level of “wrestling.” The odd thing is 30 minutes later they are cleaning each other’s teeth. So weird sometimes.
You might be surprised how much I do in my backyard! 🙂
Always fun to see through your eyes. I love the idea of ‘Rembrandt Season’. Pantone really needs to hire you as a consultant!!
I have no idea how he felt about the cold though! 🙂
No worries…I’m planing to become all about winter photography ?!
Thanks for setting me up to make it through another winter, Mark. “Rembrandt Season” is how I will try to think of it from now on. And your striking photographs aid that effort.
well at least until it is all just grey and white 🙂