An Experiment in Subject and Framing
Here’s an old Japanese house I liked with a field of persimmon trees in the foreground. I think it gives a great feeling of gracious and slow country living. There’s a big problem with it, though. As soon as I had taken it, and looked at the result, I had to ask myself, “What the picture is really of? (click pictures to enlarge) Is it a photo of an inviting old Japanese house with persimmon trees in the foreground? Or is it a picture of persimmon trees just ready to be harvested with a teriffic background?” I can just see me handing it to someone and hearing the inevitable question. Yes, and what are you trying to show me?
So I stepped back and used some of the persimmon leaves as a frame. I like this better. The stone wall defining the field adds to the rural Japanese atmosphere, and the leaves form a triangle of light directing your eye up to the window — and persimmons. Ah, there’s the same problem rearing its ugly head. What is the picture actually of? The house, or the fruit? I decided to zoom up on the window. I would miss the stone wall, but perhaps it would help to define things.
That helped. But this is definitely a fruit tree shot. I wanted the house. I finally realized I wasn’t going to succeed at getting both, especially in this instance, where it was a whole field of trees to contend with. I gave up altogether, and focused on the house next door.
Now this is much better. There are still a few persimmons peeking out among the leaves. You would never recognize them, but they add just a touch of orange to make the wood appear warm and inviting, and break up the heavy green. The vines curl around in the foreground, and add a playful sense of motion, and it is now unquestionably a photo of an old Japanese farm house with an enormous tree in the background.
Now if only it had been a clear day, and the sky had been blue…
Tags: Japan, persimmon, Subject Framing Photography
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Well, for me, the “green stuff” is getting in the way of a photograph of a lovely looking Japanese house!
I know. If it had been good weather I would have gone round to the other side where I had a clear view, and the blue sky would have been frame enough. But it was a very gray and dreary day, and fankly, those pictures looked terrible. Your disaproval makes all your other comments priceless, now I know you mean them – Thanks!
I'm sorry if I came across as harsh, I was trying to be flip!
Years of “enforced gardening” has given me a pathological hatred of green stuff!
Lovely shots Deb, you truly have a photographers eye
Hi, your pic surely reminds me the life when i was a kid. I was born in Japan and now live in NYS country side. I used to pick up persimmons from our backyard and eat them. I miss persimmons. They are one of my favorite fruits. By the way I'm one of the 30DC members.
I absolutely love your final photo! Thanks for walking us through some of the work it takes to get a great shot. Guess it can't always happen in one take.
Thanks for the comment, Leo. I can't send you kaki, but I'll be sure to post one of those wonderful fall scenes where the leaves are gone and the kaki are bright red against a blue sky. Do you remember? Stay tuned.
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