Daily Archives: October 17, 2018

 

 

 

How do you feel about gardening?  No, not planting tomatoes or herbs in your garden, but arranging items in a composition.  We think nothing of asking people in a group shot to arrange themselves so everyone can be seen, or removing a soda can in a scenic. So why do we get the heebee jeebies when someone places a leaf somewhere, as in the image above?  I’ve spent the last ten days walking around with my eyes pointed down at the ground, it’s fall leaf season, and I love to photograph them where they land, and sometimes where I wish they had landed!!

 

I subscribe to the time tested axiom, “Do no harm to make a photograph.”  I would not pull up a living plant or remove a branch just make a better composition, but I would, and do, cleanup small distractions in a close-up image.  If a small twig or bright leaf is in a composition, and it will be distracting, I simply lift it out.  Some would argue that nature is special enough without our help, and this true, but I point out all the time, in image reviews, that a little content aware would clean up a shot, so why not just pick the stick up, or add a leaf?

 

I’m not sure there really is a good answer for this, maybe you would like to take a shot at it!  I just know it doesn’t bother me to do little gardening, if it bothers you maybe you should not do it, but is it fair to criticize someone that does, it’s a good healthy debate that, unlike politics, we can have and it won’t end in violence!  Sound off if you would like in the comments section below!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Now, about this shot above;  We had a attendee that was unable to walk very far to make an image.  They used walking canes and they expressed they loved the birch logs with colorful leaves, so we added a couple that had fallen close by, so she could get the shot.  If that was wrong I plead guilty, but it sure made her happy and allowed her a chance at the great image she had been dreaming of.  For me it was worth moving a leaf or two.  Your thoughts are welcome!