How seriously do you take your Photography?
Is taking photos just a whim, a bit of fun? A hobby you would like to improve? Or a serious pursuit? Whichever category you fit into, (or don’t), we notice photos that are striking, ones that capture attention, (pun not intended).
Scott Bourne has some thoughts on the magic behind photography and it was his post that made me re-consider how we take photographs.
Do we snap a shot just as a record of what you saw?
Do we compose for interest?
We might even find an angle that portrays a little more emotion, particularly for street or portrait photography.
If so, we convey a feeling through the photograph to the viewer.
Scott explains a little more of what he looks for in a photo:
Unfortunately, in today’s instant gratification-hungry world, it’s rare to find someone who will look past the superficial to find something special. Everyone just wants a magic camera, or lens, or camera setting or post-processing, preset. Unfortunately there is no magic anything. What there is well, that is all about SEEING. I want to encourage you to “feel” your way to a photograph.
Scott Bourne – picturemethods.com
Some people have an eye for photography. Others have to work to develop it. Regardless of your camera budget, if you do have an eye or can develop it, your photos will attract attention.
Friendly Friday Theme – ‘Capturing a Feeling’
This week for Friendly Friday, when you take a photograph try to compose to capture a feeling or emotion.
If you are using your archival photographs, you might crop a photo or edit to exhibit a particular mood that you wish to create.
Today for example, we made a new friend.
A young magpie landed on our fence, literally right behind our heads, as we sipped our morning cup of tea. The bird was bold and curious and his reward for that, was a morsel of cake. We watched his confidence and trust, in us, slowly grow as I hand-fed him a small piece of ham.
I cropped the following photograph to create a feeling of intensity, of concentration and to convey the beginnings of trust in the bird’s eyes.
After tasting the morsel of carrot cake, he must have thought his luck had changed.
I like the contrast of nature and the stark white and ultra modern built environment behind, but feel that some editing would help the photo stand out. But today, I left it as is. What do you think?
This afternoon the bird returned with his mate, who was much more cautious about the ham and preferred a lawn grub or two which is far better for them, anyway.
Posting a Friendly Friday Challenge?
Don’t forget to comment here, tag and pingback to this post.
Instructions on how to join the Friendly Friday Photo Challenge
I will be back in two weeks time with another prompt. Next week, for Friendly Friday, you will be in the able hands of Sandy, my Friendly Friday co-host, who will post next week’s challenge.
Thanks for sharing Scott Bourne’s post. Very insightful. And encouraging for people with a simple camera. 🙂 I like your young magpie. And the black and white shot is very evocative!
Here is my feeling of the day: https://picturesimperfectblog.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/left-out/
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Thanks for joining so promptly, Knickers! I love your birds, photo. There could be lots of interpretations made from it. Are they blackbirds?
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Crows. Blackbirds (at least what the dictionary tells me) are smaller and usually don’t appear in larger numbers.
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Ok thanks for clarifying. The crows being highly intelligent must have been having a meeting
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Every time I take a photo I’m trying to capture the moment-the emotion of either the subject or the one it gives to me. It’s my way of wanting to capture all the little things many don’t stop to notice.❤️
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You summed it up well, Mamma. Where we look through the lens, we aim to freeze time momentarily so we can revisit that moment again later.
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Great prompt! And thank you for sharing Scott Bourne’s post.
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Thanks so much for reading, Silvia. I hope you are tempted to join in with the challenge.
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Lovely captures. The feathers of the magpie are beautiful.
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Coming from you, Maria, that is a big compliment. Thank you!
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“Upolować” emocje w fotografii, świetny pomysł. Spróbuję
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Not photography but herbal treatments?
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Loved your friendly birds! https://arrastoneglade.wordpress.com/2020/07/18/friendly-friday-content-in-cornwall/
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They returned today but were a bit shy when the dogs barked.
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Your magpies look very different to ours but I like them. I bet they would love a scone!
https://wordpress.com/post/deathbyshyness.wordpress.com/18689
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No doubt they would, Klodo. This magpie still has his young feathers – the black and white will be more stark as time goes on.
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If you scroll down on this post – you will see the juvenile ‘form’ of Australian magpies.
https://www.wildlifeqld.com.au/magpie-removal-and-advice-service-brisbane/
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Thanks, it looks very crow like but apparently its not a corvid.
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Yes, I never realised the magpies could vary so much. In song, size and shape!
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Not the magpies we have here, I was quite surprised.
Here is mine:
https://photographias.wordpress.com/2020/07/18/friendly-friday-capturing-a-feeling/
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He is young – he will become more conventional looking in time.
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https://www.wildlifeqld.com.au/magpie-removal-and-advice-service-brisbane/
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https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/magpie/
I’ve never seen one until I moved to Scotland. They don’t exist in Portugal, as far as I’m aware.
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Wow. They ate much smaller and less upright. And they sound so different. Here is our magpie singing. https://youtu.be/oYEYc8Ge3nw
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Sometimes I’ll take a photo to help me ID something I haven’t seen before, before it disappears. If it’s still there or if I see that same creature again, then I try and look for something more interesting and expressive. I like your magpies, very different to those I remember. I’ve also gone for a bird for this challenge: https://grahamsisland.com/2020/07/18/pueo-stare/
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Everyone has said they are different. I guess that happens in the isolation of an island country. The plumage is immature though and he will get his black and white colours later.
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Great idea! Magpies around here are not nearly so bold with people. Thought I’d give this challenge a try. Really interesting to see everyone’s entries. So here’s some sport shots!
https://jazzibeeblog.wordpress.com/2020/07/18/friendly-friday-capture-a-feeling/
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I am glad you did. Your photos are excellent and certainly convey a feeling so well. I love the way you can see the wave and droplets of mud. It is a static shot but the viewer can sense the noise and movement so well. Thanks for joining in. I look forward to more excellent entries from you Jazzibee. Using a slideshow is a good way to format the photos.
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Thanks. I ‘ll keep my eyes open for future challenges
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Thank you Amanda.Unique concept.Love the birds,eyes,flower and the video clip.Great inspiration for beginners like me.Thank you.My contribution
https://philosophyvia.photos/2020/07/20/friendly-friday-photo-challenge-capturing-a-feeling/
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Great emotions captured here! Love the trust on the bird’s eyes captured… Here’s mine – https://myheart2heart.blog/2020/07/20/caged-or-free/
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I do agree.. I like pictures that convey something.. When you start looking it happens..
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Then they are more than just a pretty thing!
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Thank you for the fun photo challenge! Here’s my entry
http://heavenstobetty.com/2020/07/21/friendly-friday-photo-challenge-capturing-a-feeling/
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Lovely capture of a funny young face! Thank you for joining in again, Jen.
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👌🌈⚘⚡
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New perspectives are what photography is all about, that’s why I love spending time truly looking… It’s the only way to SEE
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I had responded to this comment, previously, Jenae, but it must have disappeared due to a lack of connectivity using my phone to respond to comments. We have poor internet connections in this area.
You are absolutely correct. There are time when we have to open our eyes to truly see what is in front of us and photography helps us to freeze that moment in time so we can observe more nuances and derive a deeper meaning from our world.
Thank you for your valued comment. Have you been into photography for a while?
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I’ve always had an interest in it, although I’ve only recently been looking at expressive/portrait photography.
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A good area to develop.
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