I had an idea a while ago to feature an image once a week by other photographers that I find interesting. In the effort to provide inspiration to myself by enjoying the work of others, I hope it will serve to inspire a wider audience as well. I will write a short bit about what I like about the image, and why I think it works.

You can expect a wide variety of photographic art, so not just landscapes and nature! I hope you find this as fun and enriching as I do.

Let me also offer an invitation… if you come across an image you would like me to see, and perhaps feature, please shoot me an email with the subject “Picture of the week.”

And now, to the first picture of the week…

Image © Ryan Dyar

Background

This lovely capture was created by a fantastic photographer I have admired and followed for years, Ryan Dyar. He is an accomplished landscape photographer with mastery of a post processing landscape style that is emerging as the new standard. But what I find truly sets him apart as a great photographer is his seemingly effortless mastery of composition. Knowing how difficult great landscape composition can be, I am certain he works hard to find his excellent arrangements.

This image of a pelican in flight is so different from what he usually produces, and I admire his exploration into unfamiliar territory.

Why I Think This Image Works (Color, Light, Subject, Moment, Emotion)

The soft light and tones are soothing and convey a sense of calm immediately. It is low contrast, but the pink/ orange complimenting the blue/ green seascape immediately grabs me. He allows the subject to dance to the middle of the frame, a usual no-no. But here it works because the subject makes direct eye contact with the viewer creating a feeling of connection and intimacy. There is also clear motion from the slow shutter speed showing us the path flown in from the top right of the frame. Another pleasing movement/ leading line in the image.

Henri Cartier-Bresson was considered the master of the decisive moment. That term has been described as a “split second that reveals the larger truth of a situation.“ This image for me captured that culmination of split seconds strung together to convey something deeper. A moment too early or late would not have had quite the impact. Now, one could argue with current technology, the art of the decisive moment is lost. Think “spray and pray.“ In Cartier-Bresson‘s day of 8×10 cameras and single frame film holders, capturing that singular point in time had an element of supernatural patience to it. However, I would argue that the moment still exists, there are simply new tools and techniques to more easily capture them. It is no less artful. Its just different.

The slow shutter speed is utilized perfectly, as the bird‘s head and eyes appear to be sharp, while allowing the motion of the flapping wings to blur, giving the viewer the feeling of flight. It is a lovely, and difficult moment to capture so elegantly, as Dyar has.

Lastly, how does this image make us, the viewer, feel? My immediate emotion is loneliness and melancholy, mostly from the muted color and low contrast of the gentle seascape, but also the direct eye contact. But then there is a lingering element of hope rising that seeps in, perhaps from the flight motion, and again the eye contact.

It is a simple yet complex image. I think that is what I admire the most.

It is no easy task to create an image like this! And often, these are the images that happen when one is prepared. They simply present themselves.

Now, I would love to hear your thoughts! Comment below to start a conversation about this image… do you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?

— Andrew