on visual chaos...

Those of you who are friends with me on facebook may have seen a status update a while back about a blog entry I had brewing in my mind. It all started with this episode of the FOLIO Podcast featuring David Beckstead. About 28 and a half minutes or so in, while talking about the different types of art that David studied throughout his life he says that "It all came to fruition with photography and now being able to isolate these ideas composition and be able verbalize them has helped me to grow as a photographer and understand composition. I throw out to these photographers I say, 'one of the key elements to me is how you harness visual chaos'... Visual chaos is everywhere." Indeed it is!

When I heard David say that he asks other photographers how they harness visual chaos it was like a light went off in my brain. I had a vision for this post that would feature many of my photographer friends answering David's question - how do YOU harness visual chaos? However, one such photographer friend answered the question so eloquently (and verbosely ;)) that I wanted to focus on her response.

As some of you know I've spent the summer assisting for one of my area's best and most interesting wedding photographers, Susan Berman of Whimsical Photo Design. Susan is one of the most incredible, brilliant, witty, fabulous people I've ever met. She also happens to be a phenomenal photographer. I am so blessed to call her a friend.

When I first sent Susan the question her reply was "That is a FANTASTIC question! I'll have to email you my answer in a bit." I'm sure there was more about her 3 year old girl needing attention. That Mabz. ;) Here is Susan's answer...

"Think about how much our eyes are bombarded by on a daily basis in terms of visual stimulation. There is a ton going on. But in photography, the goal is to capture your subject, through that visual chaos, and make them shine. Make them the true subject of your image. To make them the only thing the viewer sees and feels.

I accomplish these goals through a lot of little techniques.

First, and the easiest, is to pick something that is visually not chaotic as part of the background. Popular choices include the ocean, the mountains, trees or shrubs. These natural elements lend themselves to a serene and austere background. This allows the viewer of the image to solely focus attention upon the subject.

However, these perfect backgrounds aren't always the easiest to come by! I use other techniques to bring subject into focus on a visually busy background. Through the use of bokeh, or low depth of field, I'm able to essentially 'blur' the background into nothingness; which allows my subjects to shine on their own. Bokeh takes out the visual distractions of everyday life and leaves the subject standing alone. This is a popular technique amongst many a photographer and a useful one at that. But, I prefer something a little different...

I love to use lighting to my advantage to bring my subject into primary positioning within my image. By using creative lighting I can make my subject stand out from the background. Various ways I do this is through use of backlighting (sunlight or strobe use), front/side lighting, shadows and highlights. The strong lighting of a subject, again, allows the subject to stand apart from the background or the chaos surrounding.

Adding in elements of visual chaos in the environment can add so much to an image. It tells a story, gives depth to the character of the person and/or subject so it's not necessarily a bad thing to have in your image. In fact, some of the strongest images I've taken purposely add those stories in order to give the image more story. However, by separating your subject from this visual chaos allows the viewer to both understand the context in which the image has been taken and the story in which the photographer is trying to tell."

I want to share a few of my favorites images by Susan... First up is a gorgeous wedding shot that is a great example of the first setup Susan described using nature as a background.

Next is a shot of the same couple, but here Susan uses the environment in a creative way that adds depth and interest, telling the story of their day in another way.

I happened to be present at the creation of this image. Susan is a master. I also LOVE the processing that her graphic designer went for with it.
Not what I imagined, but stunning! This one is a definite fav!

One last image here that I think really showcases Susan's talent with lighting her images. I wasn't there for this wedding (and I was ticked after seeing this!) but she managed to hobble along without my assistance. ;) One of the things Susan does that I find interesting, unique and gorgeous is backlighting her subjects, particularly after dark!

If you'd like to get to know Susan a little more (and I HIGHLY recommend that you do!) you should check out her blog. There was also a terrific interview recently of Susan by a mutual friend, Jessica Wright of Memories That R Precious.