Well, Marc, it's really, really awesome but it's so much like all the rest of your work that I'm starting to get bored. I think you have great talent but I think you're in a rut.
Posted by Marc Adamus on July 10, 2006 at 12:30 AM
Interesting..... Most notable landscape photographers and artists in general have a recognizable style that is very personal and found throughout their images. Some even more strongly than myself. For me it's wide angles and dramatic light. It always will be.
That said, I agree with you on some level Mark. I know how to do what I do and usually accomplish it quite well, but forsake other opportunities while pursuing my previsulized images. Of course I look around and study other possilbilities, but the primary reason I do what I do as well as I do it is because I see the landscape through filters. Filters in my mind. I would be a poor studio photographer for example, and any other photographic endeavors I should entertain are filtered by my way of seeing things that is rather unlikely to change.
I agree this image is similar to others in my collection and honestly, doesn't do as much for me because of that. NOT simply because the style is similar (as I said, I'll always be into wide angles and great light) but because the actual subjects are similar - crashing waves, tidepool, sunset, ect. Sticking within ones style is one thing, but reusing the same concepts as it pertains to subject matter is another. Again, that's why this image fails, at least on some level for me. Still, one image isn't being in a rut.
It's at least difficult and probably impossible for someone to try to reinvent the way they see things and adapt a different style within an art. For me, I think the key lies in the finer points. Looking smaller. Looking abstract. Using different light. Forgetting the sky. Forgetting usual subjects like waterfalls, reflections and sunsets. Looking past the obvious. But I'll never be great at someone elses art and am not likely to adapt a different style. I have to find a way to diversify while making it an extention of my own vision. A vision that has gotten me to where I am and continues to drive me. I'll do my best, Mark.
Well, commenting on this image by itself...not knowing you, your style, all your other shots of similar subject matter...I'd say that I really like this. The color, the exact action of the waves. I'd be proud to have taken an image like this.
Put it on your website next to the others, and I begin to see a bit too many similarities. I wouldn't call it a rut, but I would call it a narrow-er library of subject matter. If that's what makes you happy, great. But then there's your public, and your peers. I actually hope to not ever have a particular style except to be one that doesn't limit myself (not saying you are limiting yourself). I'm a person who likes every type of music, hung out in high school with jocks, preps, ROTC geeks, band geeks, stoners, gothic...you get the idea.
If you were to make a coffee table book right now with all just your images, it might be smaller than you'd hoped, to not be repetitive. It's sorta like us all posting pictures of the balsum root recently. The first batch got tons of ooohs and awes...then the next batch got less, and the next batch got next to none...even though they were still great images.
This image portrays your style undoubtedly. I dont think you could have a better composition - it works for me, emotionally this image doesnt drive the punch. I've been biased by your earlier classics
I think this is just awesome... The colors, the saturation, the timing... the waves seem to be crashing just perfectly, the colors are wonderful, it has a painted feeling to it... When I first looks I see, WOW someone painted a beautifull seascape sunset, then my brain clicks in hey dummy it's a photo, and it's even more like, WOW!!!!, my only nit's would be that it looks like a couple highlights might have blown a bit in the foreground, but honestly I think it works FOR the image.... and it looks to me (and I tried laying a straight edge over to see) that the horizon is just ever so slightly tipped I think it's a GREAT image even then, and the tip is so slight (if even really there) that most people would never notice, it almost looks as if it's just curvature due to the wide lens, and may infact be....
I did look at your portfollio after seeing this one and reading the other comments, does look like you have a good theme going, not going to comment on that in the slightest, other than many artists (well known in fact) have a recuring theme, it can be a selling point, in that you never know what they will turn out next within that theme (I'm reminded of a painter who always has a face of an animal in each painting, as well as some others I've seen but dont recall the exact themes) Shooting the same subject is a good way to get really good... obviously it seems youve tackled the graduated ND's pretty well, and are getting spot on exposure, and awesome shots... I only skimmed the thumbnails of your portfollio, but this one stands out of the crowd waiving, look at me, I'm the best of the bunch...
Awesome work, keep it up, hope I can oneday do 1/2 as good as this
I'm not sure why but I'm bothered by the locked in bottom of this shot. I find it much more appealing with water flowing out the bottom of the scene.
Posted by Marc Adamus on July 10, 2006 at 12:19 PM
You're likely bothered by it because water flowing outward towards the sunset would create a more cohesive composition with stronger leading lines, but I loose the drama of crashing waves and felt the channel was a strong enough feature to create the depth I desired. I can see your point Philip.
Marc,
I have to agree with my brother to a certain extent. Since I have seen your other shots of this type of comp and subject, I felt a little bit of a letdown with your first post. As for the second one, thats a different story. SWEEEEET!
Marc, for me, the second one has mystery, it draws me in and makes me want to look at it more. The first one tells me the whole story and leaves nothing to be explored. The first one is sensational, the second one is compelling.
(Don't forget all IMHO of course)
Posted by Tomas Kaspar on July 10, 2006 at 6:58 PM
I like them both actually, but the second one has more fantasy and mystery effect to it , and makes me keep looking at it. I personaly like the b&W be a bit darker and less grey, but that's just a personal preference.
I thought the same thing after posting, Tomas. I've since corrected that slight contrast issue with the B&W.
Posted by Darren White on July 10, 2006 at 10:44 PM
Marc, I have to agree, your images are similar, but ya know what, they are YOU! that is your style, your own photographic concept on how you see the landscapes around you. and even though they are similar, none are the same.....they are all different......I think you have accomplished something many photographers never do...
I have shown others your work and they are all amazed and love your style...with that said......I do love the black and white and would love to see an infrared version of it.....
keep up the good work, thanks for the sharpening tech, and may your photography bring you nothing but the best!!!!! I need a drink!
I love both. The 1st one is every bit as interesting to me as the B&W (although the 2nd one is probably a notch above because it is very compelling and mysterious). I don't think you'll ever be in a rut, you know what works just like a portrait photographer finds what works for excellent people shots. The people change but the general technique stays the same. I'm convinced you could go to the same beach and put your camera in the same spot for a whole week and have 7 very different images. It's not just some waves crashing on some rocks. I've TRIED to takes shots like this and know how damn hard it is to do it right.
I love seeing #2 from you because it is a different look (your not relying on the vivid colors as an element in the photos and it really works for me).
Keep doing what you do and I hope you can make a mint for doing it.
Marc, I'm rather new to the PNWNP section on NP and you're simply one of the best anywhere at what you do. I think it's cool that one can recognize your images without your name right below it. I call it "style". Your style will probably evolve, but don't force it.
Your images blow me away and glad I finally have the chance to say so!
Discussion
18 repliesJust some waves crashing on the shore at sunset, Cape Perpetua State Park.
5D, 17-40, 3-stop grad, 1/2 sec. at F18
That said, I agree with you on some level Mark. I know how to do what I do and usually accomplish it quite well, but forsake other opportunities while pursuing my previsulized images. Of course I look around and study other possilbilities, but the primary reason I do what I do as well as I do it is because I see the landscape through filters. Filters in my mind. I would be a poor studio photographer for example, and any other photographic endeavors I should entertain are filtered by my way of seeing things that is rather unlikely to change.
I agree this image is similar to others in my collection and honestly, doesn't do as much for me because of that. NOT simply because the style is similar (as I said, I'll always be into wide angles and great light) but because the actual subjects are similar - crashing waves, tidepool, sunset, ect. Sticking within ones style is one thing, but reusing the same concepts as it pertains to subject matter is another. Again, that's why this image fails, at least on some level for me. Still, one image isn't being in a rut.
It's at least difficult and probably impossible for someone to try to reinvent the way they see things and adapt a different style within an art. For me, I think the key lies in the finer points. Looking smaller. Looking abstract. Using different light. Forgetting the sky. Forgetting usual subjects like waterfalls, reflections and sunsets. Looking past the obvious. But I'll never be great at someone elses art and am not likely to adapt a different style. I have to find a way to diversify while making it an extention of my own vision. A vision that has gotten me to where I am and continues to drive me. I'll do my best, Mark.
Put it on your website next to the others, and I begin to see a bit too many similarities. I wouldn't call it a rut, but I would call it a narrow-er library of subject matter. If that's what makes you happy, great. But then there's your public, and your peers. I actually hope to not ever have a particular style except to be one that doesn't limit myself (not saying you are limiting yourself). I'm a person who likes every type of music, hung out in high school with jocks, preps, ROTC geeks, band geeks, stoners, gothic...you get the idea.
If you were to make a coffee table book right now with all just your images, it might be smaller than you'd hoped, to not be repetitive. It's sorta like us all posting pictures of the balsum root recently. The first batch got tons of ooohs and awes...then the next batch got less, and the next batch got next to none...even though they were still great images.
I did look at your portfollio after seeing this one and reading the other comments, does look like you have a good theme going, not going to comment on that in the slightest, other than many artists (well known in fact) have a recuring theme, it can be a selling point, in that you never know what they will turn out next within that theme (I'm reminded of a painter who always has a face of an animal in each painting, as well as some others I've seen but dont recall the exact themes) Shooting the same subject is a good way to get really good... obviously it seems youve tackled the graduated ND's pretty well, and are getting spot on exposure, and awesome shots... I only skimmed the thumbnails of your portfollio, but this one stands out of the crowd waiving, look at me, I'm the best of the bunch...
Awesome work, keep it up, hope I can oneday do 1/2 as good as this
I'm not sure why but I'm bothered by the locked in bottom of this shot. I find it much more appealing with water flowing out the bottom of the scene.
I have to agree with my brother to a certain extent. Since I have seen your other shots of this type of comp and subject, I felt a little bit of a letdown with your first post. As for the second one, thats a different story. SWEEEEET!
(Don't forget all IMHO of course)
I have shown others your work and they are all amazed and love your style...with that said......I do love the black and white and would love to see an infrared version of it.....
keep up the good work, thanks for the sharpening tech, and may your photography bring you nothing but the best!!!!!
I love seeing #2 from you because it is a different look (your not relying on the vivid colors as an element in the photos and it really works for me).
Keep doing what you do and I hope you can make a mint for doing it.
Your images blow me away and glad I finally have the chance to say so!
Nice work Marc, on both images