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Ocean Grove, New Jersey. By Ted Aanensen, Blogfinger staff photographer. August, 2013.  Click  for more parking spaces.

 

THEME FROM A BRIDGE TOO FAR.  By the Band of the H.M. Royal Marines

 

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Posted in Music from the movies, Ocean Grove photographs | Tagged Patriotic lawn chairs by Ted Aanensen | 4 Comments

4 Responses

1. on August 17, 2013 at 7:58 pm Blogfinger

   Frank S. Now that I figured out that you are asking about the new header photo, I do appreciate the chance to talk photography. It was June 15; I love the light at the end of a day, and the Tabernacle is such a unique building. It looked beautiful in that light, but I am not usually a landscape photographer.

   So I stood there, just waiting for something else to happen. I saw the person sitting on the bench, but I wanted more. One time I heard a famous National Geographic photographer speak. He said that he liked to find a composition that worked, but just a pretty picture often isn’t enough. Instead he recommended waiting. He said that he waited for “magic” to occur, and sometimes it actually did. Cartier-Bresson referred to that as the “decisive moment.”

   So I waited in the same spot. Then the cyclist showed up and was heading my way. I saw her coming; she looked lovely, and that straw hat was lit up by the last rays of the sun. Then she entered the composition, and one frame was all that was needed. This photographic process is called “pre-visualization”

   When I am at a place where “magic” might happen, I pre-visualize everything including composition, manual focus and exposure settings. Thanks to digital, I can take a few test shots just for the lighting. Then I wait.

   So, in answer to your question, this photo was a combination of careful preparation, good light, patience, timing, spontaneity and luck. As for your juxtaposition question, I didn’t really care about the motion vs idle aspect. I was totally absorbed with her on the bike, in that setting, and gave no thought to the bench lady.

   Thanks for asking.

   
   
2. on August 17, 2013 at 5:49 pm Frank S

   It is all about that exact micro second when shutter release was pressed.
   I thought person in rear was either in a wheelchair or sitting on a bench. Hopefully the latter. The juxtaposition of someone idle versus someone in motion makes this image interesting. Paul – was this intentional when you shot this, lucky, or noticed after the fact ? All valid.

   
   
3. on August 17, 2013 at 2:33 pm Susan McLaughlin

   p.s. I love your header photo today. At first glance, it looks like the bicyclist has a small passenger on the back

   
   
4. on August 17, 2013 at 2:30 pm Susan McLaughlin

   I’m tempted to rearrange the chairs to red, white, blue, red, white, blue

   
   

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