Anatomy of a Composition - A Distance Between

The Continental Divide looms large in Colorado geography. It is fairly close to the Front Range, and Denver specifically and can be easily viewed from overlooks not far from the city. Yet as close as the Divide is, it is still a long distance away, and that distance creates certain distortions in that view.

Shooting long distances with a telephoto lens can introduce a softness in an image as light shifts in the lens, and heat and wind diffuse those waves traveling the massive distance from the focal point back to the camera’s sensor. So, while the mind’s eye imagines a sharp, and clear image, what can actually appear on the computer screen, and then ultimately on the printed paper.

The intersection of life and art rarely stray from my mind. The creative process, to plan, to capture, to create and produce each offer their own specific opportunities to ground in the moment. This pragmatism, the ability to live in the moment and accept any challenge as an opportunity, is the purest form of optimism. While I’ve worked hard to keep photography on this pragmatic path, other aspects of my journey have been marred by the distances between; distances between reality and expectation, distances between openness and conciliatory conversations.

Taking a complicated image, in difficult light, with a telephoto lens has factors that one can make adjustments for, to ultimately create a near perfect image. Yet, while trying to create a relationship, sometimes the distance is simply too great, and the image in the mind’s eye cannot ultimately be reconciled with what really appears.

Single image, shoot at 400mm.  Final edits made in Lightroom.

June, 2020 - As always, thank you for joining me on this adventure

For more thoughts on some of these images, head over to www.wordpress.com/alma175w  

ISO 200 | F/5.6 | 1/800 sec. - Sony a7riii - FE 100-400GM