Composition - Details

There is a well known saying that many photographers are aware of. It's something along the lines of: "put one hundred photographers in the same spot, and you'll get 100 different  and unique photos" Of course some might be better than others..and there might be some out of that one hundred that may be similar to each other. Most won't be though and there will be a huge variation from angles and composition, to exposures and what the subject is or might be to each person. None will be identical.

This next series of shots demonstrates this fairly well. The location is "Slea Head" just outside Dingle Town and a very extensively photographed location that is. Wonderful place and some fantastic opportunities. The statue of Christ is an obvious landmark for the area.

You can "Google" Slea Head and browse the many many images of this location on the web. You'll see a huge variety of photos many different angles and compositions. In fact I would suggest this is a good idea for anyone with an interest in photography. It's sometimes very useful to see other people's ideas and work and can encourage some experimentation and helps to avoid to obvious too. If you are planning on taking photos at a location..simply browse the web and get some ideas before you go.

Slea Head: Shot on Ektar 100 film

My first shot is a wide angle and what I would consider a "normal" composition. I've taken this one facing slightly towards the Atlantic Ocean..even though you can't see it in this shot! It's often taken the other direction facing towards the land. This is roughly at eye level which is sometimes a good idea and sometimes it's not. Don't be afraid to go up higher or lower down kneeling can add a dramatic effect at times. Wide angle shots can be useful to convey the overall area and location, however there are times when moving in closer can be useful.

Moving in closer: A very different image

The statue is painted white but the salt water and location means the effects of rust can be pretty strong at times. This caught my eye as I walked around the statue. It's clear to see the rust effect is symbolic and gives an impression of "blood" on Christ's leg at least that is what I thought of when I saw this. Don't be afraid to spend some time moving around an area and not take pictures, don't just blast away frames hoping to get something good. In my experience digital can be incredibly useful and instant results are always welcomed, but the temptation to "machine gun" shots can be a real problem. You'll be far happier with a couple of good ones..then a few hundred weak photos. Quantity counts for nothing in this game! Instincts can play a vital role here sometimes you can simply "feel a good shot" trust your own judgement..you're shooting for yourself not for anyone else.