Continue on Brenda’s A Photo Study. Today I am working on CONTEMPLATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY VIII – TEXTURE.
Texture is one of those things that I thought I knew what it was, and never bothered to find out more. I started preparing this post 4 days ago, read a few articles, and when I was ready to post, somehow, I had an uneasy feeling on what I wrote. Went back to the drawing board, read a few more articles, here I am, trying to write a totally different post. From this experience, I’ve learned that every article has its targeted readers and I need to be smart enough to know which one is written for me.
Anyway, what I’ve learned about texture…
1. Texture has a lot to do with how light hits on the surface. Highlights and shadows are key elements to present textures. (Better photograph from an angle.)
2. Contrast, curves and patterns help composing a texture image.
3. A pure texture shot is a detail shot. For example, the bark of a tree.
4. Generally, a texture should be evenly focused throughout.
5. Textures can be applied to existing photos to create different effects.
Pure Texture
Add Texture to an Existing Photo
Original photo:
Add the fan (the 2nd photo) to this photo:
You can hardly tell the difference, I know. But I do like it better with the texture. So I tried again…
I was having a lot of fun so I kept playing. It didn’t take me long to realize that randomly picking up a texture photo added to any existing photo didn’t work well 😉 Some photos just didn’t go well together. (Reminds me of arranged marriage… Ha.)
Thank you for visiting my blog.
HHC Blog 
The great thing about digital photography is the ability to experiment! I recall those long hours in the darkroom!
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Dark room? You are 24 year old! 😉
Good thing I didn’t start photographing when I was young.
Have a wonderful day.
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Ha. That was in the 1980s would you believe!
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I really like that last photo, Helen!
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Thanks, Lois. It was fun.;-) Water droplets and moon…
Good night.
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Interesting discussion within this post, Helen. After reading, reflecting and revisiting my blog, I realized that I am drawn to texture less by the visual elements of light, contrast, lines, color and more by the imagined and labeled tactile experience – smooth, chunky, rough, silky, etc. I often find my self drawn to touch fabric and furniture while shopping…my daughter often smiles at this quirky behavior. I like the first image…the repeating patterns through the use of light and shadow.
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Thanks, Brenda. I, too, like to touch fabric, furniture. I learned a lesson when I was young though. I saw a hairy plant when we were on a field trip. I wanted to know how soft it was, so I touched it. My fingers became numb instantly. I didn’t dare to tell my teacher. I just pretended everything was okay, and I was so happy the numbness finally went away 30 or 40 minutes later. 😉
Good night.
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I love the last one!!! I think they go wonderfully together!
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Thank you. My first try was adding a texture to a flower photo; that didn’t go very well 😉
Good night.
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I love texture. Running my hands over fabric has always motivated me to want to create something with it. Texture photographs attract me immediately, especially those ones that Cee does, but I never though about it in depth the way you have here. I always do that, too, I love going in to depth, whether it is the definition of a word or if it is a topic to explore. I totally relate to the fun you had exploring texture with these photos.
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What more can I say? I told you we were twins in our previous life, didn’t I?
Learning is fun for me, but at the same time, I am lazy. So photo challenges are great for me, because I don’t have to come up with an subject.
I am not good in sewing though. I think that needs a lot of patience!
Good night.
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Yes, WordPress does help me with the laziness factor. It is motivating.
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The last photo is amazing 😊
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Thanks, Julie. It’s my imaginary world. 😉
Have a wonderful day.
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The first photo is my favourite. I like the contrasts of colour and texture, and the angle you chose. The pattern is simple but the curve lends it subtlety. I like how the passage of light turned the circles to ovals, each row a little longer than the last. Lots to think about!
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Thank you, Su. Reading your comment is like taking an art class. It opens my eyes and mind! I appreciate it.
Have a great day.
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