Curl

Posted by KP_Photography on Jun 23, 2014 in Blog | 2 comments

 

 

Happy Monday! This week’s image was taken in Mykonos, Greece in 2011. I used a Nikon D80, shutter speed of 1/15, aperture of f/5.6, and ISO of 200.

While in Mykonos, I was captivated by the beautiful white and blue color scheme that has become synonymous with the Cycladic Islands. The color combination really exudes serenity and beauty. It was impossible to walk through the streets of Mykonos and not feel a sense of contentment in the romantic simplicity of the colors, architecture, and cool salty breeze of the ocean. Of all of the places I’ve been, my day in Mykonos was one of my favorite experiences. I know Santorini gets all of the Greek Islands glory, but I found Mykonos to be far more enjoyable. It wasn’t plagued by the insane amount of crowds that Santorini sees on a daily basis. It’s not on a cliff so there is still beach access. Because there are fewer tourists, it’s easier to get lost in the narrow streets. When I was roaming around Mykonos, I didn’t feel like an outsider looking in; I felt like I was a part of the island.

When I was walking through one of the quieter streets, I noticed a beautiful blue framed window with a white metal grate. I was immediately drawn to the colors and the simplicity of the lines and curves. I decided to focus on a small section of the window in order to highlight the white curl of the metal grate and the blue frame of the window. While this image seems very simple, I really had to take my time in making sure to place the lines in the appropriate place in the frame. In an image such as this, it was paramount that I stood directly in front of the window so that the frame was straight. If I had not been centered, the frame would have appeared crooked and no amount of Photoshop straightening would have remedied the crooked lines. So remember, take your time when shooting even the most straightforward of subjects!

Tips: When I was in college, my photography professor’s motto was “Simple subjects that fill the frame.” He reminded us multiple times each class that photographs don’t have to be overly complicated to be successful. The best approach is to look for simple subjects that fill the frame, and then expand your view outward to encompass more. While it may seem easy, noticing the details and capturing them in an interesting way is very challenging. I’m sure any photographer will tell you, the art of simplicity is far more complicated than it would seem. I think that with all of the guidance I received over the years, this piece of advice has proved to be the most valuable. It influenced the way that I see and interpret things and ultimately shaped me into the photographer that I am today. So, in the words of Jim Flory, always remember, “Simple subjects that fill the frame.” That small piece of advice will go a long way!