Ethereal Buddha
I recently watched a class on composition given by Scott Kelby on Kelby Training. He went over the usual rules, the ones we all know and the ones we follow for the most part. Except now and then we see that our subject is smack in the middle and we ask ourselves, ‘how did that happen?’.
Scott had several new ideas to help with composition. Ideas that I was aware of …but Scott showed how to actually use those ideas to get better photos. He showed how he goes from getting a so-so shot to getting a great shot. Scott works at it. And we need to work at it, too. (You can see a sample of this class at: www.scottkelby.com )
This statue of Buddha was shot at mid-day in harsh sun in the ruins of Thailand’s Autthaya Kingdom. Autthaya is similar to Angkor Wat, but not as shady and not as large. At least what remains is not as large. There are huge brick towers, walls, temples and lots of statues of Buddha spread over a wide grassy area. There were trees, too. It was a pretty place but mid-day light does nothing for photos.
And that was part of my problem, I see that now. I took one look and thought “What is the point? How can I possibly get a good shot of this place with this light?” And in my heart, I gave up. I didn’t try as hard as I could have.
I didn’t look at the statues or temples from every conceivable angle. I didn’t try the worm’s eye, the bird’s eye, the angled shot. I did try to find a good shot, but not hard enough. I didn’t check my shots while I was there and try to think which was best and what I could do to improve that best one to make a good one or even a great one.
Scott didn’t have to do much to his shots once he got home and put them on his computer. Not like me. I had to Photoshop this Buddha to death, but I like the look I achieved. I can see this printed on a silk or linen look paper, can’t you?