AskJoeB: Chambery in the Swiss Alps

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Pierre, a student living close to Chambery, France sent me this photo to comment on. Here’s what he said:

“Hello Joe,
I was looking for professional advices about my photowork, so it is a great chance I discover your blog !
I was a music teacher and I’m trying to change my profession.
I live near Chambery, in the French Alps. This photo I took yesterday is from the house in front of mine.
I was looking to convey the idea of a bright natural wonder.
What do you think about this one ? Is it a worthy work of a professional ? Does it do it ? !!!

Lot of thanks,

Pierre Laily”

Ok, let’s take a look:

First of all, I went to your Flickr page and noticed that you have this effect in several other photos on your site. If I might suggest, you should only show one image that has this bright ring. When you show as many as you have, the fact that it may not be real, and achieved through some software effect really shows up.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of manipulating photos with any kind of effect. In your photo, it doesn’t feel like it’s the real thing. If I’m wrong, please let me know. It’s just that in my fifty-three year career, I’ve never seen this kind of phenomenon happening in nature in so many different photos as you have. Perhaps it’s because I usually don’t shoot when the sun is this high in the sky. So I suppose anything is possible when you’re dealing with nature, especially at the altitude you’re at.

If I can give some advice to a newcomer that I give both in my online classes with the BPSOP and also in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind workshops, strive to create photos that are created “in the camera”. Learn to use the elements of visual design and composition to make your photos stronger. In the long run, it’s going to make you a much better photographer.

By the way Pierre, I like the shot you have of the ring around the single flower. It has a stronger center of interest. In this photo you submitted, once the viewer sees the ring, there’s not much else for him to look at; the ring isn’t enough. This photo looks like it could have been taken in several states in the US. If I lived where you live, I’d be making sure that the viewer knew it. It’s just toooooo beautiful a country not to!!!

Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com, and follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/barabanjoe. Check out my workshop schedule and come shoot with me sometime.