| |
|
|
Capturing Moods
Do you know what the two most important things in your photography are?
The first is you and the second is your subject. And there's no better
area in photography to optimize this relationship than in making mood
pictures. An average photographer will take a picture and say, "this is
what I saw." The mood photographer takes a photograph and says, "this
is what I felt."
With a little practice you can develop a sensitivity for moods which will
lead you to a new, almost intimate approach to your photography. To begin
with, take the time to examine your environment, looking for the inherent
beauty in the smallest of flowers as well as the magnificence of a towering
forest. Search out beauty in ordinary things such as a delicate weed or
reflection patterns in a puddle of mud.
Study your subjects carefully, getting to know them well, keeping in mind
you're building that all-important relationship between you and your subject.
Study how light affects form and texture. View your subject at different
times of day and in different types of weather.
Nature elements are among the key ingredients you can capture in making
mood photographs. Fog, mist, water, clouds, and soft sunlight all present
conditions suitable for obtaining mood in your pictures. Early morning
or late afternoon light offers the best opportunity for capturing shadows
and textures. Fog and mist will subdue backgrounds and will produce soft,
subtle tones and colors.
Water will give you many different moods. Reflections in a still lake
will produce a feeling of seclusion and quietness. Splashing waves result
in an exciting mood while flowing water captured during a long exposure
(a tripod is a must) gives a peaceful, serene mood.
As always, pay attention to depth-of-field. A wide aperture will produce
shallow depth which will isolate your subject by throwing everything else
out of focus. A small aperture, of course, will render sharp everything
you see through the viewfinder.
While we've been talking mainly about mood in scenic shots, don't overlook
other areas such as people's faces. They are fertile fields for capturing
moods such as joy, excitement, even pensiveness. Natural light on an overcast
day is the best lighting outdoors or filtering in through a window.
Remember, become involved with your subject no matter what it may be.
With experience, you'll find your photography shifting from the literal
recording of a scene to an artistic expression of mood.
|
|
