| Philosophy of Photography Taking pics is one thing, but understanding why we take them, what they mean, what they are best used for, how they effect our reality -- all of these and more are important issues of the Philosophy of Photography. One of the best authors on the subject is Susan Sontag in her book "On Photography." |
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Contre Jour, is it the thinking mans' bokeh? |
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08-25-2010
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#1
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Stewart McBride
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Contre Jour, is it the thinking mans' bokeh?
... or did I just screw-up the exposure?
As with bokeh it adds drama to an otherwise boring photo but it allows the use of slower lenses, gives one more to look at when tired of the gimmick and one gets more exercise walking round the subject ...
that photo is at sunrise btw, I don't do sunsets
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08-25-2010
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#2
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Time Traveller
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No, you didn't screw up the exposure (I bet you knew that from the start).
Similar to bokeh, contre-jour is a means to establish the illusion of spatial depth in an otherwise two-dimensional image.
But there's more: Since exposing for contre-jour means greater image contrast, it is very often connected with an underexposure of the alleged main object of the image (or at least with the need to be meticulous about exposure).
Thus, the photographer has to decide to sacrifice image detail in favor of graphic clarity and image depth. And for shots like this, you have to know your lens very well in terms of when it might start to produce serious flare.
Is that a thinking man's dilemma? I don't think so, because art-oriented photography has always been somewhat of a thinking man's pastime.
BTW - great shot Stewart!
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08-25-2010
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#3
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alexnotalex is offline
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Both together, Uncoated Summar, hood, UV filter
Sunset's a bit blown... pleasing overall.
should have bracketed for the learning experience... 
best, Alex
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08-25-2010
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#4
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That really is an amazing shot Steve, you've kept the detail in every part of the image, from the distant mountains to the shining sand to the houses on the right and the grass in the foreground. Beautiful.
Did you take multiple exposures or just nail it the first time? (i'm sure you nailed it...)
best,
Alex
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08-25-2010
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#5
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Stewart McBride
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexnotalex
That really is an amazing shot Steve, you've kept the detail in every part of the image, from the distant mountains to the shining sand to the houses on the right and the grass in the foreground. Beautiful.
Did you take multiple exposures or just nail it the first time? (i'm sure you nailed it...)
best,
Alex
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Easy really, incident reading over my shoulder then closed down two or three stops, so there's still a some detail in the shadow and as little of the sun as possible is blown.
Print film btw
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08-25-2010
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#6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparrow
Easy really, incident reading over my shoulder then closed down two or three stops, so there's still a some detail in the shadow and as little of the sun as possible is blown.
Print film btw
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Great, thanks for the tip.
Sunny16 gave me the face, the bokeh conveniently got rid of the other details... so no exposure issues Fuji Superia 200
best,
Alex
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08-25-2010
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#7
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Stewart McBride
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Just Japanese?
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08-25-2010
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#8
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Stewart McBride
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... or is it all Greek?
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08-25-2010
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#9
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Over Exposed
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I can't resist a bit of 'against the day'.
In which case, I agree, it is the thinking man's bokeh - I think! 
Dare The Fountain 2 by Bobfrance, on Flickr
Fountain Photo by Bobfrance, on Flickr
Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr
Out Of The Sun by Bobfrance, on Flickr
Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr
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08-25-2010
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#10
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Stewart McBride
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Those are excellent for a digital camera Bob
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08-25-2010
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#11
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08-25-2010
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#12
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Over Exposed
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparrow
Those are excellent for a digital camera Bob
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Thanks Stewart. 1 & 2 were actually film.
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08-25-2010
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#13
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name under my name
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great pics everyone, I didnt know what contre jour was until I read this thread, and Im still not exactly sure, but Im presuming it means to shoot agains the sun/light source and decide where you want the proper exposure to me? expose for the sun/light in the background? or expose for the subject in the foreground?
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08-25-2010
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#14
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Stewart McBride
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fotomeow
great pics everyone, I didnt know what contre jour was until I read this thread, and Im still not exactly sure, but Im presuming it means to shoot agains the sun/light source and decide where you want the proper exposure to me? expose for the sun/light in the background? or expose for the subject in the foreground?
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It's French for against the day(light) anything from a silhouette to dramatic backlight, just another creative tool in the box
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08-27-2010
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#15
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Stewart McBride
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le moineau ... les lunatiques  Oh oui :shrug:
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08-27-2010
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#16
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Stewart McBride
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08-27-2010
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#17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparrow
le moineau ... les lunatiques Oh oui :shrug:
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vivre le bokeh contre jour!!
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08-27-2010
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#18
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Striving
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Can lead to a little lens flare at times!
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08-27-2010
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#19
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Stewart McBride
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexnotalex
vivre le bokeh contre jour!!
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vous avez remarqué ... merde
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08-27-2010
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#20
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Stewart McBride
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risking your shutter there Chris
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08-27-2010
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#21
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08-27-2010
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#22
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Over Exposed
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Contre jour AND bokeh! |
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08-27-2010
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#23
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hah!  |
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08-27-2010
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#24
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Striving
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparrow
risking your shutter there Chris
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Shhhh - don't tell anyone it was an SLR.
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08-28-2010
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#25
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how about contre jour and bokeh?
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