I played around with shooting the light at the end of the tunnel, last week. I had in mind that I'd get shots along the lines of a past tunnel shot. The photograph below is one I used on my blog back in 2006 and the idea I had was that I'd take an even better one now that I'm more familiar with the camera.
Photographers won't have trouble understanding how the recent shots I took can be so different from the one directly above, but I'm still having trouble understanding it. All of the shots in this post except for that one were taken at the same time. Same tunnel, but the 2006 one had such dramatically different natural light that it could be a completely different pace from the recent ones. I tried all different kinds of settings both while I was shooting and after I got the digital photographs on my computer.
I did finally manage to get one which showed at least a suggestion of the trees at the end of the tunnel.
I also got one which is more representative of what the inside of the tunnel actually looks like. If I was an artist, I have an image of how I would paint the light at the end of the tunnel. I don't even think being a better photographer would be enough. 
Knowing the time of year and lighting conditions to capture a certain image would help but I'm not sure the image I have in mind would ever be there. My problem is I tend to see what isn't there as well as what is. The images I see are often created as much in my head as they are in nature. If I was a poet I might try to write about it. I could play around with graphics programs but doubtful I would ever achieve the results I want.
I wish I was a visual artist. I think oils would be a good medium for what I have in mind. Ah well, at least I have the images in my head. Those are pleasant to think about. There's also a lot in the natural world that I enjoy. I'm rather fortunate in spite of not being a visual artist or poet. I'm certainly past the point where I spend too much time on the what ifs. I will try to keep photographing the tunnel and see what I come up with at various times. I might get closer to what I have in mind.
10 comments:
carver...i luv them...and indeed i think you are a visual artist..you see in your mind what it is you want to create and you do it...
the light at the end of the tunnel is a fabulous concept. on a personal level, much deeper for me, it was what always dragged me onwards, ever onwards...
i've missed your blog..
hugs
k:)))
Oh, but Carver! You are both a poet and a graphic artist working together as one who comes up with the most clever ideas from out of nowhere.
I always love references to light as it is the absence of darkness. Both literal and figuarative.
Keep up the great photos.
Love, K.
Carve a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment.
-MLK, jr.
(as always, thank you Dr. King)
Hi Karoline, Your comment meant a lot to me, thank you. I'm the same way about the light at the end of the tunnel dragging me onward. I was going to try to write about that but for whatever reason couldn't so I ended up just posting what I was working on with the photographs. Hugs, Carver
Hi K, Thank you. That means a lot to me. What a wonderful quote from MLK. If I had thought of that, I would have posted the photographs along with his quote yesterday. Love, C
i like waht you said about 'what ifs'. so true, and i cant say i have put it beyond. i still have so many insecurities especially lately. i wanted too to be a visual artist and it makes me frustrated at times that i am not that talented. i have few share of scribbles. becuase of such wantings i forgot other things i can do. am glad for friends who keep reminding me.
teh title itself here is so poetic and i feel teh poetry in you. and the pictures ***sigh** they are just so moving!
Hi Deli, Thank you so much for your comment. Take care, Carver
Wow, I didn't know you when you used that photo. I really like it!
Great concept!
Thanks Sabine, I ended up going back today and taking some more shots at both ends of the tunnel with various exposures, focal lengths etc. It's hard though to show both the light at the end of the tunnel and the landscape. I can either have the landscape with the tunnel like a frame or I can have the light spilling in but it's really hard to get both effects. I'm going to keep playing with it.
Take care, Carver
Your shots are amazing, Carver! I love the first one but the others say something completely different. I assume you turned off your flash (of course) and maybe the day was way too bright to get what you wanted. Keep working on it and I'll keep checking back. I love your photography!
Thanks Teach (Mary), I like the first one too. I did have the flash off and part of it was the day but it's also hard to get much of the tunnel and still get the landscape. When I took more yesterday, I found the in order to get the landscape I need to stand almost at the end of the tunnel and then I don't get much of the inside. The problem is I want the light spilling in, with the inside glow but still a little bit of landscape. I will keep playing with it. Take care, Carver
What a great idea for a photo collection. I want to find a tunnel now and try it.
Post a Comment