retinax
Well-known
This has been an important thing for my photography. I often try to capture the mood of a place. But does it work? Hard to tell for myself because the picture might just bring back memories I have of the place.
Here's an example of a photograph of mine that gives me a strong sense of the place, even though it otherwise isn't a good photo - but that might help us isolate what helps the sense of place.
I suspect what works here is the brooding clouds and the precarious, floating position of the camera that the viewer is put in, which reflects the inhospitable nature of the place where there seems to be little space for humans between the steep mountainside and the ocean. The flat light in this cloud situation is typical of the place, not sure what it brings to someone who hasn't been there or in a a similar place. But maybe I'm spouting nonsense, it's just my memory and none of this comes across in the picture.
The impressionists already knew that light has a strong emotional impact - they mostly painted scenes with special light and put great emphasis on conveying the light. The quality of the light is certainly an important point. But how does it work? Do we simply recall the quality of light in a situation we were in, the emotional impact it had, or is there something more to it, something common to us all, beyond individual experience?
Please share your own pictures where you think you succeeded or failed, or just accidentally managed to capture the genius loci! And if you feel like it, let's discuss what the places feel like to us, and why it works or doesn't.
Here's an example of a photograph of mine that gives me a strong sense of the place, even though it otherwise isn't a good photo - but that might help us isolate what helps the sense of place.
I suspect what works here is the brooding clouds and the precarious, floating position of the camera that the viewer is put in, which reflects the inhospitable nature of the place where there seems to be little space for humans between the steep mountainside and the ocean. The flat light in this cloud situation is typical of the place, not sure what it brings to someone who hasn't been there or in a a similar place. But maybe I'm spouting nonsense, it's just my memory and none of this comes across in the picture.
The impressionists already knew that light has a strong emotional impact - they mostly painted scenes with special light and put great emphasis on conveying the light. The quality of the light is certainly an important point. But how does it work? Do we simply recall the quality of light in a situation we were in, the emotional impact it had, or is there something more to it, something common to us all, beyond individual experience?
Please share your own pictures where you think you succeeded or failed, or just accidentally managed to capture the genius loci! And if you feel like it, let's discuss what the places feel like to us, and why it works or doesn't.
lamefrog
Well-known
nice idea for a thread (also cities)
Kamurah
Member
Here is one of mine. Sorry, I left the Leica at home that day 
I have absolutely visceral memories of this time. Heck maybe this day. I was lucky enough to be attending Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey CA. Every week my wife and I would pack the car (a Miata) with a picnic lunch (sushi and wine), and head down Highway 1 (top down!) to Big Sur for a picnic. We had our first child while in Monterey. Beautiful times . In my mind, this is what every day looked / felt like. I always wondered if the fortunate souls who are lucky enough to live there appreciate it every day...I hope so.
BigSur2002 by Rich Green, on Flickr
I have absolutely visceral memories of this time. Heck maybe this day. I was lucky enough to be attending Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey CA. Every week my wife and I would pack the car (a Miata) with a picnic lunch (sushi and wine), and head down Highway 1 (top down!) to Big Sur for a picnic. We had our first child while in Monterey. Beautiful times . In my mind, this is what every day looked / felt like. I always wondered if the fortunate souls who are lucky enough to live there appreciate it every day...I hope so.BigSur2002 by Rich Green, on FlickrHenry
Well-known
I like this idea, I've always been a big believer in capturing mood over image perfection.
