The
guidelines for this assignment were to create a triptych or series of three panels composed of images that not only present a cohesive image when displayed together, but are able to stand as strong compositions when displayed on their own. The triptych could also be defined as something composed or presented in three parts or three related views.
I hope, that like me, you found that the assignment expanded your compositional skills, perhaps causing you to look at a scene or series of images a bit differently and visualize how they might fit into a tri-panel presentation. One of the best things about these assignments is that they keep me looking, and thinking, about composition. I'd like to think that continually exercising my visualization skills will make me a better photographer.
I'd like to thank all of you that submitted such inspirational images for the assignment. Your submissions were simply amazing, and helped me to see new creative possibilities in the world around me.
Morning Cattle DrivePhotographed by Dave Leiker (prairiedust)
Dave Leiker started us on our wonderful journey through this assignment with his
Morning Cattle Drive image. This was a beautiful image that let many of us share the feeling of Dave's incredible morning on the cattle drive. It did bother me a bit that Dave cut the cow in half with his division of the two panels on the right of the triptych, so I wondered if there might be a different way to split the panels. I played with the image a bit in Photoshop, and came up with a different composition that potentially allows each of the three panels to stand alone, and saved the poor cow from being cut in half. However, I suspect one of Dave's objectives was to illustrate the vast, open expanse of grassland, and I recognize I lost some of that affect with my tighter cropping. Still, it is a useful exercise to examine different crops/divisions and how they affect the overall impression. (Please excuse the vertical lines through the two side panels, I was a bit sloppy in "re-stitching" the images together.)
Morning Cattle DrivePhotographed by Dave Leiker (prairiedust), alternate crop/division by Keith
Lars'
Ghost meeting image was a wonderfully imaginative triptych; however I must confess that the first time I viewed the image, I missed the "ghosts" in the left panel of the image. Once Michele pointed out the ghosts, the lightbulb came on and I had to smile at Lars' ingenuity. I wonder if a "zoomed in" version of this image with less grass in the foreground might have made it easier for viewers to see the crux of the image (the ghosts)?
Ghost meetingPhotographed by Lars
Michele's
Childhood Games triptych was a fun take on a child's game. It took me a minute to figure out the "rock, scissors, paper," key to the image, so perhaps a larger. more easily identified rock might have helped me decipher the image? I think Dave describe the image best, saying "I like the poetic mystery of it, the way it leaves space for us to enter into it and find our own meanings." I agree, it does have a mystery to it, and a definite sense of "mood." This image evokes more feeling, and is more thought provoking than most of the other images submitted for the assignment, and those two attributes are a great indication that this triptych was a success.
Childhood GamesPhotographed by Michele Bollhalder
Dave's
Morning Cattle Drive 2 submission was an absolutely awesome triptych that illustrated exactly what the genre is all about. Each of the panels was a great composition on its own, but when displayed together as a triptych the images provided a much stronger sense of what a cattle drive is all about, with the two side panels providing wonderful framing for the center panel. The "atmospheric perspective" created by the fog provided a great sense of depth and timeless feel to the images. I've selected this image as
Editor's Choice for Technical Merit. Wonderful job Dave, and I still want to talk about buying a framed version of this to give as a gift.
Morning Cattle Drive 2 Editor's Choice for Technical MeritPhotographed by Dave Leiker (prairiedust)
I loved Lars' playful
Windows triptych. This image illustrates that being able to "see" a composition is a prerequisite for our creativity. I also like the way the Lars breaks from convention by not being afraid to use panels of different sizes. This image works great as a natural triptych, is fun and playful, and helps us realize that paying attention to visual components around us will open up many more opportunities for great compositions.
Windows triptychPhotographed by Lars
Michele's
Family Shoes triptych was another playful submission that made me smile. The addition of Lauren's feet to the line of shoes made a wonderful punch line. It takes a real artist to create a humorous image done tastefully. With images like this you can't help but get a sense that a little bit of the artist's personality is shining through, and its a great lesson that life can be wonderful if we let ourselves find humor and smiles in the mundane.
Family ShoesPhotographed by Michele Bollhalder
Rebecca's
View from a Bench triptych was a great example of visualizing a concept, taking the images to support that concept, and then struggling to make it work. If you remember back to the initial submission, Rebecca had the images much closer together, and there was too much discontinuity between the center and the sides. Dave recommended using a frame to separate the images, and was kind enough to process the triptych into the version you see below. The separation of the frame allows us to view the center panel as a separate image, while still within the context of the "view from the bench." Good job Rebecca and Dave.
"View from a Bench"Photographed by Rebecca
Dave's triptych of
The Ways of Light was another amazing submission that revealed a true artist behind the lens. I've always believed that in order to produce truly great photographs, you must have an emotional connection with the subject. Dave's treatment of this subject, and the care that he put into post processing to bring out the rich colors and textures, gives the viewer the sense that there is a deeper meaning, and rich history to these rooms. These images were taken in very challenging lighting, and it is a testament to Dave's mastery of his craft that he was able to produce such evocative images in this challenging light. Dave posted a link to a larger version of the image that allows the viewer to better appreciate the rich tones and textures. If you haven't viewed the version at the link, you really should take a moment and do so.
http://www.prairiepathways.com/way_of_light.html.
The Ways of LightPhotographed by Dave Leiker (prairiedust)
I feel like I've used "amazing" too many times already in this post, but what better superlative can I use to describe Marilyn's
Reflections of architecture triptych? Maybe, "mind-bending" would be an appropriate description of her image of the reflection of the Brain Center.
This image was the well deserved selection as
People's Choice, and I've awarded it
Editor's choice for Artistic Merit. This image has wonderful dimensionality and depth that just sucks the viewer right in, and manages to keep them engaged as they move from panel to panel trying to decipher the reflections. Marilyn did an awesome job, first seeing the possibilities, and then composing the image to emphasize the natural triptych. I love the contrast between the wildly abstract reflections and the solid reality of the stone facade. Amazing, awesome, mind-bending composition Marilyn!
Reflections of architecturePeople's Choice and
Editor's Choice for Artistic Merit.
Photographed by Marilyn McKinney
Marilyn's
Architectural mysteries meet mysteries of the brain triptych was OK too. Actually it was a great triptych, just in the unfortunate position of having to follow the superlative sapping
Reflections triptych.
The feature that "made" this triptych (other than the amazing architecture of the building itself) was the way that Marilyn composed and arranged the images so that the curve in the left panel continued on through the center panel. I would have loved to see this curve continue on through the third panel too, but perhaps the lines of the building didn't lend themselves to that effect. Thank you for sharing images of this amazing feat of architecture Marilyn, I would love to see the building in person someday.
Architectural mysteries meet mysteries of the brainPhotographed by Marilyn McKinney
Lars' aptly named
Dark forces TripTyCh was a great example of how color and tonality can be used to emphasize a mood or feeling. We definitely do get the sense that there are dark forces at play in this eerie image. Great job creating a mood Lars.
Dark forces TrIpTyChPhotographed by Lars
My
Beef Cattle triptych was a simple series of images that "tell a story," created after the fact from images I had snapped throughout our weekend at the ranch. As Dave can probably attest, it is sometimes a challenge to photograph and "work cattle" at the same time. The other workers only have so much patience until they want you put away the camera and get on with the real work (or get out of the way).
Beef CattlePhotographed by Keith
Another "story telling" triptych, which I included only after prompting from Rebecca. These images actually aren't in chronological order, but I rearranged them to better tell the story. I'll have to make sure I don't bore you all with too many images of Evan and McKenzie.
Ice Cream - Good to the Laaaast Drop!Photographed by Keith
It was great to see a submission from Ellen (jecc), who did an awesome job capturing her Thunderbird images. As Rebecca mentioned, the Thunderbirds scream over the stadium with very little warning, and it's tough to capture such great images. Awesome job Ellen!
Thunderbirds TriptychPhotographed by Ellen Croak (jecc)
Erik's
Pastoral triptych captured a wonderful "sense of place and time," and evoked memories of similar afternoons in the foothills of the Rockies. The atmospheric perspective provided by the clouds in front of the mountains, and the linear perspective provided by the diminishing road and telephone poles provided a great sense of depth, while the "low key" tonality added to the moodiness of the scene. The diagonal line on the left edge of the road pulled the three images together very nicely. Nicely done Eric.
Pastoral Photographed by Erik Black
Thank you again to everyone that participated in the assignment. You inspire me, and help me resolve to make the time to get out and photograph.
Viewers are encouraged to respond to this thread describing why you like a particular image, or think it was particularly successful at meeting the guidelines of the assignment.
Keith
P.S.
I almost forgot about Sue Pepin's triptych of
Bodie & Buddy. Sue submitted the image after the voting started, but I still wanted to acknowledge this great triptych. As Rebecca mentioned, the "unifying element" in this series of images was the background, and having the dogs face inwards for the side panels was an effective way to frame the triptych and keep the viewer's attention within the composition. Great job Sue
Bodie & BuddyPhotographed by Sue Pepin
