\nThe Flow of Light <\/em><\/strong>by Allen Cagle<\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/dec2011\/ImageTalk_photos\/ImageTalk_AllenCagle.jpg\")
\n\u00a9 2011 Allen Cagle. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n
Subject: <\/strong> Rock in the Virgin River in Zion National Park<\/p>\n Conditions: <\/strong> Allen was in Zion National Park at the trailhead for the Lower and Middle Emerald Pools Trails (directly opposite the Zion Lodge). It was about 10 in the morning and the sunlight had crested the edge of the mountain rim just enough to shed light on the red rock cliffs and cause reflections in the water that was still in the shade. \u201cI used a slow shutter speed \u2026 the ISO was set to 400, my aperture was set at F 14 and the shutter speed was 1\/3 of a second. I wanted to get the colors in the water as well as the soft motion.\u201d<\/p>\n Composition:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. The rule of thirds applies with the rock\u2019s anchoring position.<\/p>\n 2. Swirls of color in the water encircle and cradle the rock, keeping your attention focused on the subject before you travel through the remainder of the image.<\/p>\n 3. There are two opposing dynamic diagonals.<\/p>\n 4. The motion of the water is slowed enough to give a smooth texture but still let you know it is moving water.<\/p>\n 5. The proper exposure controls the bright glare on the top of the rock and the reflections in the water.<\/p>\n Noella\u2019s comments: This is one of those very special images that is simple in design, but very effective in holding one\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n The two opposing diagonal lines welcome you to inspect the overall image. The angle of the camera and the placement of the rock in the lower one-third portion of the frame is the start of the first diagonal. Your eye then follows the wave line up to a tiny leaf caught in the water at the upper left. The opposing diagonal lines are created by the movement of the water, allowing the eye to follow its flow and the imagination to carry that movement downstream.<\/p>\n The use of the diagonal lines in an image will grab your attention and adds a sense of energy to the composition. In Allen\u2019s image, the subtle diagonals are not hard and harsh but ones that flow smoothly from corner to corner.<\/p>\n The swirl of water around the rock is a supporting element to the subject and creates the sense of movement and force which again is a part of the dramatic impact of the image. But notice another part that adds to the effectiveness here and that is the small area of calm in the \u201cshadow\u201d of the rock. It invites the eye to rest near the subject for a period of time before moving on.<\/p>\n Water, along with the exquisite colors, creates a sense of calm. The cool, soft pastel blue tones with their complimentary amber and gold highlights sets the tone of this image so that the eye slowly moves around within the frame. These colors are all reflections of the surrounding rock and the blue sky. It is good to learn to see your subject but then to also look more closely as Allen did, to see the subtle details that can add magic to your composition.<\/p>\n Allen, you did a wonderful job on this photograph.<\/p>\n Come back and join us for another IMAGE TALK in the near future.<\/p>\n Acknowledgments: I would like to thank Marla Meier for her editing assistance in order to present the images for this series. And, our thanks to the photographer\/artists who allow us the use of their wonderful photos in these columns.
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\nYou inspire all of us!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"