Choosing a subject

When I saw the mist, I wanted to go outside. Diffuse light and black silhouettes create a contemplative and introspective atmosphere that I like.

The level of the Loire is also high, which gave me opportunity to photograph the landscape in an unusual situation.

On the road to the Loire, a short passage in the city center of Orleans:

Study 1: The boat lost on the Loire River

Being aware of your surroundings

Even when photographing landscapes, taking a good photo is sometimes about being aware of what is happening around you.

Here, the important thing was noticing the boat coming down the river. Without the boat, the image would be empty and uninteresting. When I saw the empty boat being carried by the current in my direction, I knew there was a good story to be told. So I thought of the composition for the few seconds before the boat come closer to my position.

Choosing the right image

I’ve took two images of the boat, which one to choose?

The composition is bad. The central space is empty and there are two elements at both ends of the image. We don’t understand what story the photograph is trying to tell.

The black trees and the associated vanishing lines going to the top stand out. Thus our eyes are drawn to the right of the image, where there is nothing to see.

The interesting subject, the boat lost on the river, appears to be secondary with this composition.

The Final Photograph :

What makes a good photo is an interesting subject. That we have here:
A small boat rushing down a rippling river on a misty day. A poetic and contemplative image that invites the viewer to daydream: Where is the boat going? Why is it alone?
This image works because the scene is intriguing. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, this photograph activates the imagination of the viewer.

Composition study

A good composition should highlight the scene without adding unnecessary complexity.

Three successive layers

The image is divided into three successive layers, which makes the photo pleasing to see:

1. The bare winter trees in the forground add depth and perspective.
2. The rolling river where the boat floats.
3. The mist which makes the river endless and accentuates the loneliness of the boat.

Showing the movement of the boat

To show that an object is moving, one technique is to place it on one side of the image. Basically, place the object where it’s coming from and leave empty space in the direction it is heading.

Here, the placement of the boat in the image allows us to understand that the boat is moving from left to right.

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Study 2: The stairs to the River