“One of the most powerful, yet difficult, elements to master in photography is capturing emotion and feeling.” – Karyn Teno
The mood conveyed in a photograph helps enable the viewer to establish a connection with the picture when personal emotions or memories are triggered. A few ways moods can be portrayed is through the place, patterns, seasons of the year, colors, actions, lighting and shadows and weather. Although when photographing people, it is said that the most influential mood is facial expressions and body language. Black and white photos also give an image a sense of timeless mystery.
What type of mood does this opening image convey – happiness, excitement? Do you think this colorful display hanging from the ceiling would grab your attention? What about the store front in the next picture, does it look inviting enough that you would want to go in and perhaps buy something? Examples of a few more different moods are shown below.
Cool colors – blues, greens and purples – complement each other and create harmonious color schemes by evoking relaxation, calmness, stability and power.
Whereas in the imagebelow this one, warm colors – yellow, orange, red and their combinations – can convey feelings of contentment and nostalgia, energy and positivity. Neutrals like white and gray can become either warmer or cooler depending on their undertones.
“Photography is all about capturing a mood, a feeling. I feel a special connection with nature, often very powerful….Mother Nature is so powerful, I never underestimate Her.” – Peter Lik
Actions can create another type of mood when displaying suspended movement, motion blur or visual flow as shown by birds trailing behind a shrimp boat or people swimming in the ocean. The picture below shows rough waves crashing into the shoreline as people are walking on the ledge above.
Light and shadows created by the setting sun behind the forest is creating the appearance of drama and mystery as a thunderstorm moves away.
A heavy rain storm passed through right after this next picture was taken at the marine dock. The overall blueish light in addition to the sunlight and storm shadows can denote drama and danger.
Weather touches many of our senses – sound, taste, smell, feel and sight. Does this picture of a snow storm evoke any personal emotions or feelings? Maybe fond memories of how beautiful and clean everything looks as it covers the ground. Or, negitive thoughts about having to drive in it and/or how much work is involved to shovel it.
In retrospect, hearing rhythmic sounds of steady rain on the roof or other things can be soothing sound for some people.
Hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my pictures portraying one or several moods. Sofia chose a thought provoking topic for the week so be sure to check out her post by clicking here!
“Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine they see all day.” – Catherine Pulsifer