Power and Pattern

Limited to photographing only the highlights, we stopped thinking about recording a thing and a place, and started thinking about ideas.

During a recent trip to DuPont State Forest in North Carolina, we were greeted by lovely waterfalls in harsh sunlight. The contrasty lighting conditions made photographs of the "big scene impractical", so we restricted our compositions to either the shadows or the highlights, but not both simultaneously. We were glad we did.

The forest background to this cascade is too dark and the water too dynamic and bright to blend into a successful photograph of the whole scene. By making the water the only subject, the photograph is not only more successful, it has the potential to transcend place. Click the photo to go to its location in the Corporate section of the Iris Arts website. Photo: © Donald J. Rommes

This is a detail from a river that is mostly in full sun, but with a few small areas of deep shade. Including the whole of the river would have made for a harsh and unpleasant photograph. Restricting my composition to area of even lighting allowed me to get open shadows and detailed highlights, and by focusing on the rock and cascade, the explosion of whitewater and the submerged leaf, the photograph communicates something more than what this river looks like. Click the photo to go to its location in the Corporate section of the Iris Arts website. Photo: © Donald J. Rommes

Water rushing down a steep slide of rock braids itself before merging with another channel of less-chaotic water. Showing us patterns not visible to the naked eye, the camera creates the potential for metaphor. Click the photo to go to its location in the Corporate section of the Iris Arts website. Photo: © Donald J. Rommes

A long exposure reveals patterns not ordinarily perceived and adds the element of time. Click the photo to go to its location in the Corporate section of the Iris Arts website. Photo: © Donald J. Rommes