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‘Working with the Light‘ -
A photo documentary project |
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While not having the complete freedom of a painter's palette, to choose the color, light, shadow and composition from the given elements, a photographer always has the chance of time, exposure and new occasion, with which to create. Conceived and photographed as a documentary project, my approach to this portrait about ‘Fishermen’, is far more closely aligned to that of picture making.
I very much like working within these two opposing disciplines of approach, when taking photographs. This was my main reason for choosing this location and this community of people. The cycle of activities is played out in a seemingly endless set of possibilities - it’s a little like being 'on stage', in a continuous play.
Getting involved
For all the above reasons I decided to work manually and only with 'prime lenses', mounted on a Nikon D3 camera body. In this way, I always gained complete involvement with the subject, always going to the picture, my eyes and the lens, always working as one.
I chose to work with ZEISS ZF lenses and the Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF in particular because of their many exceptional qualities. The very fine focal adjustment available, let me decide just how and where it should fall, to suite my vision of the picture.
The unique 'close focus capability' meant that I could often make a picture, in a completely different way - It opened up my approach, to looking.
I like very much, that visual ideas should flow in both directions through the lens.
Harsh light – No issue
The 'brilliant' quality of the light in this part of Cornwall was quite coincidental, but often made things very difficult. On long days spent working with vivid, saturated colors and eye dazzling, whites. I found the ability of the Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF to 'look into the light', without internal reflection or flair, simply breathtaking. Many people avoid photographing during the middle part of the day - when the sunlight is really harsh - but with this lens, I found another level of photography.
Color rendition was also excellent and, more importantly, very consistent. ZEISS optics produce a very natural look to the image. Therefore, pictures do not require lots of manipulation, to match the original composition.
It was the high degree of versatility with this lens that gave me the confidence to take the project forward - always looking at the moment - always open to the options - and always, very much, ' Working with the Light‘.
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| | Hugh Symonds
Hugh Symonds has been passionate about photography all his life. It was a major creative element in his Fine Art work whilst studying at Art College. His experience continued to broaden and develop, when he started working in the commercial film industry. Although the 'digital revolution' has brought many changes to the working process of photography he still gets a thrill when looking through a camera lens - mind and body complicit - and hears the shutter roll. More photographs from this series can be seen at www.hupix.net. |
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December 2008 |
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