A strange phenomenon

The other day I happened to come across profile of a fellow bird photographer who has mentioned a quote by Magnum Photographer Inge Morath as having said, “ Photography is a strange phenomenon, you trust your eye and cannot help but bare your soul”. Yes, we trust our eyes without paying too much attention to technical issues as these can interfere with creative aspects. No doubt a good photographer makes image with his feelings and some images do touch our soul.

Inge Morath has rightly mentioned her feelings, but her emphasis on trusting our eyes made me ponder over a question does camera sees more than our eyes. If so, how and why. The answer to this question holds more significance for bird photographers and birders who keenly observe not only behaviour and anatomy of birds, but also their morphology.

An inquisitive mind may question similarities as well as differences between the camera and the human eye. Those who have better understanding of functions of optical devices also know that camera sees more than the human eye.

I have seen many birders who first see birds with their bare eyes, then through their binocular or monocular and then make a ‘record’ photo of the bird with the help of a long lens in the given situation so as to observe and study bird’s distinctive markings. They all understand that bare eyes or say ‘unaided eyes’ need modern gadgets to see beyond their limiting factors.

The technology is fast developing thus widening the gap between the functions of human eye and the camera. While the human eye has always remained as such, the technological developments that have taken place since the invention of camera obscura have unfolded a whole new world of visual media. This process is unending and future inventions may be more startling.

When we capture an image, only a visual record is made, which is flat and has  two dimensions, but when we see the visual impact remains in our memory for a longer period of time and is of three dimensions-- length, height and has depth of field. Also, a camera can create a brighter picture as it has the potential to collect light for a longer period.

We all know both the eye and the camera have a lens and both receive light through an aperture device.  They also have a method to interpret that light as an image. In camera we can adjust light through aperture, automatically or manually whereas eyes have pupil, a round area in the iris, which controls light. In both, the camera and our eyes, the light and image are inverted by the receiving mechanism.

In eye, light is received by retina, which is almost of the same size of  sensor of a full frame(35mm) camera and is an extension of brain. Light is transmitted to the back portion of brain and image is perceived. It is because of curvature of retina that its edges are about the same distance from the lens as the center. Therefore, unlike camera lenses, the retina has corner sharpness and we also see more in corners. On the other hand the flange distance, the space between where the lens is mounted to the camera body and to the camera’s image sensor, is comparatively larger. The shorter a flange distance, the smaller and lighter a camera body can be. The mirrorless cameras have, therefore, shorter flange distance thus are lighter and smaller than the DSLRs.  In case of lenses generally the corners are not as sharp as the center of an image is.

The question remains why camera sees more than our eyes. We know the camera sends every pixel data from sensor to the computer which may result in certain distortions like barrel distortion, colour variation and vignetting. Contrary to it, eyes are not so capable because data passes through optic nerve. Eyes adjust their sensitivity to see naturally, but cameras have a feature to adjust ISO manually or let it get adjusted automatically.

Camera sensor has regular grid of pixels with every square millimeter having exactly the same number and pattern of pixels. In cameras the field of view depends on the kind of lens. On the other hand, retina, a small central area of about 6 mm, has dense concentration of photo receptors. Interestingly this portion has best resolving ability than any camera.

Although our peripheral vision has high refresh rate, our eye is sensitive to moving objects, but has not much resolution to read letters. The focal length of the human eye is the distance between the retina and the eye lens and this focal length varies from person to person. Not many know that 50 mm camera lens closely matches the human eye as the angle of view created by the 50 mm focal length is almost the same as the viewing angle of the human eye. The built-in technology of eye can’t match the ever-improving modern technology of camera.

The old saying goes, ‘eyes are the windows to the soul’. Photography makes us trust our eyes, but it is also such a magical phenomenon where silence speaks louder than words. At times its sound is more deafening than words. Let’s keep enjoying the sound of silence of this strange phenomenon of photography.

As I conclude, I am reminded of another female photographer, Maggie Steber, who has also rightly said, “The camera can open many doors, but sometimes you need to put it down and live."

--Subhash Sapru

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secret behind an excellent photograph!

 

What is the secret behind an excellent photograph or how to make an outstanding image?  It sounds like an interesting question, which generates curiosity in our minds and  makes us think of possible answers. There is no scientific method to answer this simple question. Also, the reply of a seasoned professional will differ from that of a photo-enthusiast. Peoples’ perception  varies from person to person because of many factors including socio-cultural outlook. So does the perception of jury may vary which can turn an award winning image into an ordinary one. But what is the secret behind an excellent image.

While discussing the “secret”, no ace photographer will ever talk about his photography  gear  because he knows its not that important. What do you think ? Does the gear matter the most? No. What matters the most is the insight  into what  one thinks  while composing the shot and pressing the shutter release button.

Its a fact that the most powerful sensor to record an outstanding image is not in any camera, but in yourself. You are to understand and explore it. Therefore, the secret lies in your ability to recognize what your sensor  can record better. If you are very keen to create your own visual signature, please look within yourself. Yes, within your-self.

There is a word of caution. One should not get misled by marketing gimmicks of camera manufacturers and the so called “wow” factor on social media where even the novice comment like a master.

The desire to make an outstanding photograph emanates even before buying a camera. But did you ever think that all great photographers have one thing in common. What is that which makes their works inspire the viewers and makes their images highly different from others. Its their ability to tell a story. Yes, a visual story with a difference.  Even the images of wild life having a story make lasting impact. Remember an image with a story, one that evokes emotions and curiosity will certainly over ride other images.

Some bird photographers are so much obsessed with the concept of story- telling that once  while reading some of the reviews of images of wildlife including those of birds at a website of nature photography, I found a few of the photographers who had clearly mentioned that before going out to photograph birds they had a story in their minds. This also underlines the significance of going out well prepared not only with the equipment, but also with thorough knowledge of behavior of the species that you may encounter.

Making only record  images of birds  or animals, when they are not in action or not showing any behavioral trait,  is a useless exercise. Look at images posted in social media sites and you will see a majority of these appear to be record shots because they do not have a story. One must try to understand  how a  “visual story” is scripted ? One must learn to observe the subject and surroundings. Yes, with patience.

Get the factors like desire and curiosity infused in yourself. Just think of great adventures, all these were conceived and planned  with ‘desire’ and ‘curiosity’. The way you view your subject impacts your style of photography. Therefore, one has to think like a visual story-teller, and not like a photographer. While making photographs, let desire and curiosity guide you. Lay emphasis on details and capture moments that most would let pass by. Do it with confidence, you may have a super zoom, but lack of confidence will get you a blurred or shaky image.

If you feel stagnation in your work flow, try to learn like a fresher. Remember, the limitations in your photography are within yourself. You have to  “unlearn  to learn” or say reboot the computer. Make a point not to follow the prevailing trends, but try to  pave your own way. It will make you realize that the secret to outstanding image is short  and easy to achieve.

Subhash Sapru

 

 

The dominant eye !

 

During one of my talks on similarities and differences  between  the human eye and the camera delivered to students of photography some years ago, two questions  emerged. When I took to bird photography,  these appeared  more relevant and over the years their explanation got richer in content. Therefore, I avail this opportunity to share these questions and their explanation with birders as well as photo-enthusiasts.

I assume many of us are aware that both the eye and the camera have a lens, an aperture, both receive light and have a system  to see that light as an image. Sounds interesting, but there is a need to look beyond it to satisfy the inquisitive minds.

The first question is,  do we have a dominant eye  and the second , while composing photos why we focus on eye, may it be a human eye or that of a bird or an animal.

Experts  say that about 70 per cent of us have right eye as the dominant eye and rest of the population either have the other eye as the dominant  eye or none of their eyes is dominant. Here the dominant eye means the eye with which we prefer to see  or say  with which we feel comfortable to see through the view finder of the camera. In other words, it enables us to provide a greater input to our brain. Therefore, it is essential for photographers and shooters to be aware of their dominant eye, if any, and they must use it appropriately.

If we focus our subject  with the dominant eye and with the other keep watching the activities around the subject, it will enable us to be  aware of the possible distractions around. Also, there will be no need to keep an eye closed all the time which may be inconvenient and tiring. Some shooters and experienced photographers emphasise  the need to shoot with both eyes open as that splits vision. While we see through the view finder with one eye, we keep watching around with the other. Its a bit difficult, but can be practiced. Shooting with both eyes open is not like getting a binocular equipped with a camera because in that case vision of both eyes will be controlled  for space around. The other eye should not see through any optical devise. One may shoot with one eye or with both eyes open, it is necessary to be conscious of our dominant eye.

The camera manufacturers have designed camera bodies keeping in mind two aspects. One, most people have right eye as the dominant eye and secondly majority  of us are right hander. Its the reason that  camera bodies have most of the buttons to their right side.

Second question, ever  wondered  why we focus on eye or why every photo-enthusiast is advised  to ensure that the eye is  prominently highlighted in an image. I remember, initially I too was advised by some of the experienced bird photographers to focus on eye of the bird and ensure that the eye has catch-light, but it was left up to me to understand why ? To me  that was a half backed serving.

I know a few bird photographers who would delete those photographs that do not show  eye of the bird as a significant  part of the body or the eye is without  a catch-light. They  are right in doing so, but why we should focus on the eye ?

The focus system of cameras is designed in such a way that it acts successfully if focused on contrast. The eye, for instance the  Iris and the sclera provide good contrast to let the camera focus without hunting.  While considering the significance of sharp eyes in a photograph, over the years some camera manufacturers  have added a unique feature of AF Face Detection and even AF for Animal Eye. With a view to quickly facilitate the existing users of a few camera models, a manufacturer had introduced a firmware upgrade for Animal Eye AF. It can’t be termed as a marketing gimmick, because sharp eye holds the key to a good photograph. Another camera manufacturer brought out two new models of its digital camera with similar features and the experts say these have the capability to detect and track even the eye of a dragon fly. This is a technological revolution as its not easy to detect eye on faces of animals having different shapes.

The eyes aptly reflect emotions and personality of the subject. Its like silence speaks louder than words. Apart from this, the eye’s location is such that  if we focus on it, we get such a depth of field which makes  both nose and  ears look sharp. In case of birds, the area around the eye would get good sharpness. Also, the colour and shape of the eye, especially of birds help  in their identification, say a male or female. Here a word of caution. Although sharpness of an image depends on several factors, yet emphasis should be to get sharp eye preferably with glitter.

Although its important for every photographer to understand his gear, it takes months to understand a camera, its equally important to be considerate about the factor of dominant  eye, may it be of the photographer or that of a bird or animal in an image. Remember, camera manuals do tell us how to adjust the dioptre at the view finder, but they leave it to the user to think of the dominant eye.