Art and Soul of Photography: November 2022
Photography as an art is so much more than the technical. It doesn’t matter what equipment you use as long as your images have something to say. In this monthly column, photographer Laurie Klein offers words of inspiration followed by our monthly photo challenge assignment to help you tap into the art and soul of your photography.
Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence. Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.
A seasonal mindset is essential for infrared photographers. There is less reflective infrared light in the fall, winter, and early spring, especially in cooler climates.
I love infrared challenges. I learned the rules in undergraduate and graduate school. Once I learned those rules, I would be able to break them. That helped me push the envelope and find my creative infrared voice.
IR has its challenges in northern climates because most trees have lost their leaves, and flowers are withering. As I mentioned last month, shadows go very dark. As soon as you walk into a shadow, you can feel the temperature drop significantly, and there can be a significant difference in exposure.
Typically I would not call the below image a good infrared image. There is barely any infrared reflected light. However, it does ask many questions: Is the shadow male or female? What are they reaching for?
The reason the composition of this image truly works is its simplicity. Less is more.
November’s Infrared Assignment: Create an image that poses questions. Post your photo on Instagram, tag @kolarivision, and use #kolariphotochallenge to submit your work. Winners will be selected the first week of December. Tap into your art and soul of infrared.
Laurie’s upcoming one-on-one infrared workshops: https://www.laurieklein.com/product/custom-infrared-workshop/
Challenge Winner: @phogtography
