Glimpse Definitions

These are important terms that we use in the Glimpse Group. These are not the only meanings associated with these terms but are ones that we feel define the concepts we are looking for in photographs.

Glimpse:

1. A type of photograph consisting of a glimpse, a frame, and a background scene. There may also be a foreground.


2. That area of a photograph which is partially or completely surrounded by the frame and offers a view of the background scene.

The glimpse is the 'point of interest' of a Glimpse photo. It is the most important area of the photo and should be in clear focus (or at least clear enough to recognize details).

Frame:

An object (or objects) in a photo that obscures most of the background scene. Frames may be of any material and take up approximately two thirds of the viewable area of a photo.

The Subject or 'focus of attention' or 'object of study' is the Glimpse rather the Frame. The Frame is vital to a glimpse photograph but it can never be the subject of one.

Subject:

The subject of a glimpse can be almost anything. Partial views of landscapes or cityscapes make great glimpses. Singular objects such as people, animals, buildings, and plants can make good subjects if they are far enough from the frame that the background scene is visible.

Subjects that are too close to the frame interrupt our view of the whole glimpse.

The Two Trees Exercise

Taking a good Glimpse photo is a combination of luck, intuition and preparation. The preparation comes about when we remember to stop viewing the subject as a scene and look for ways to turn it into a Glimpse.

I experimented with different subjects in different environments and found this method to be the easiest.

The Exercise.

Go to a neighbourhood park with several trees or posts. Trees work best because they are randomly distributed and finding two that are the right distance apart is easy.




When you find a group of trees look around for something that will make a nice subject. It doesn't have to be spectacular but it does have to be recognizable.




Once you have chosen a subject (a car in this example) walk around and look at it from different locations. Vary your angle and distance from the subject but keep it framed between two trees.

You may have to try other trees and subjects but eventually you will find a Glimpse to photograph.



You may also find another subject that makes a good Glimpse.



Practicing like this will help you recognize Glimpses.

temple window

temple window
Originally uploaded by alba.

This is one of those photos that seem to pull you into them.

As a Glimpse it does several things right:

• The scene is in focus and draws our attention.


• Nothing blocks our view past the frame. We are free to peek and try to see more.


• The people in the photo add to the scene but don't dominate it.

gate

gate
Originally uploaded by niznoz.

Common scenes in any city can make a good Glimpse. The gate doesn't stop us from wondering what lies beyond or from wanting to have a look.

A Photo Subject's Relationship To The Frame

Many photos that are rejected/removed from the pool have subjects that are too close to the frame (ie - too close to the object that obscures the scene).

A good Glimpse draws our eyes beyond the frame and focuses our viewpoint on the scene. Photos with people or animals in doorways, or at windows, for example, attract our attention and interfere with our perception of the glimpse.

For some interior shots with people or pets: a range of 3ft (1m) from the frame may work. As long as the background is visible and in focus.

A Glimpse is more of a landscape or cityscape type of photograph than a portrait. People and animals can be subjects if photographed properly.


Portal
Originally uploaded by [The User].

Cob interior

Cob interior
Originally uploaded by [The User].

Here is another interesting Glimpse. The frame is unusual and gives the glimpse an otherworldly atmosphere.

marmite field trip!

marmite field trip!
Originally uploaded by bunchofpants.

Here we have another unusual frame.

Peekaboo

Peekaboo
Originally uploaded by yeahboone.

Frames help define the Glimpse and are important. A good frame blocks enough of the scene to make it interesting. Unusual frames are a bonus.

This diamond shaped hole adds a touch of charm to this Glimpse.

dentist

dentist
Originally uploaded by .lou.

Frames come in many forms. We just have to recognize them.

The bureau(?) in the centre is interesting to look at but isn't too distracting. It has become part of the frame. The extra light in the other room always grabs our attention.

We can find interesting Glimpses anywhere. All we have to do is look.

View through the wall

View through the wall
Originally uploaded by Drift Words.

We might have seen too much of the house and property if the plants were absent. They act as a second frame and add an exotic flavour to the photo.

Alley

Alley
Originally uploaded by Auntie P.

Alleys are interesting subjects for Glimpse shots. They are narrow and often twisting and therefore provide great frames. Furthermore we can walk through them and are tempted to see where they go.

key hole of the church door

key hole of the church door
Originally uploaded by Brenda Lee.

Another classic Glimpse. The beautiful window is a small reward for someone taking the time to peek in the keyhole.

From Scene To Glimpse

Using this series of pictures I hope to show the difference between a scene and a Glimpse. A scene is something viewed or a setting. When I think of a photographic scene I tend to think first of a landscape. Whether the scene is something natural or something made by humans the photographer's goal is to get the best and clearest record of it (in most cases).

The following picture is a scene that has no relation to a Glimpse. Nothing in the picture is obscured and there is no frame.


PB Highway by firemind.


In the following scene we see the addition of a frame. The frame doesn't block much of the view however. I never submitted this to Glimpse.


Ring View by firemind.


The following photo was one of my earliest submissions. It does have a frame and there are glimpses involved. My issue with it now is that the glimpses are spread out at the edges and the main focal point ends abruptly at the front door of the house.


Whyte 5 by firemind.


The following photo has one clear glimpse at the left. The glimpse attracts our attention to some degree but it has to compete with the ship. The dominating feature of this photo is the black and white sunburst design. That's what I intended to photograph and anything else was a nice addition. The photo is a Glimpse but it is borderline. It happened to fit the criteria so I submitted it to the pool.

What's "wrong" with it? The subject of the photo is the frame instead of the Glimpse.


SSBeaver3 by firemind.


The next photo is a nice Glimpse. It has a solid frame which is in focus and the glimpse is in focus. There is enough mystery in the picture to keep a viewer guessing. If the area in the center had a few less trees this glimpse wouldn't work.


Tall Trees by firemind.


The following photo is a classic Glimpse. We can see something when we look between the two tree trunks but we cannot see more without moving to another location. What we can see isn't spectacular but it is clear and suggests that there is more to see. If we wish to look at the glimpsed area further we can go to it.


Beyond by firemind.


As you can see from these photos a Glimpse is different from a scene or landscape. Taking good Glimpse photos is possible if we stop trying to get the clearest view. Think G.L.I.M.P.S.E.

G.L.I.M.P.S.E.

Great
Location
Intervening
Materials
Prevent
Seeing
Everything.

As in: Hmmm, this looks like a Great Location to photograph a Glimpse. The Intervening Materials (the frame) Prevent me from Seeing Everything.

---

This was surprisingly hard to come up with. I think the acronym can help people remember the group's objectives and limitations.

channel 11

channel 11
Originally uploaded by _noah_.


This is another Glimpse that draws us toward it. In this case we cannot follow safely for as _noah_ says:

beyond the edge waits a precipitous drop. i find to my dismay that the most enticing glimpses are often at the end of the road and can be nothing more.

So true _noah_. But, that's what our imagination is for.

the possibility of soft and green

the possibility of soft and green
Originally uploaded by hurleygurley.

This is one of those glimpses that draws you in. In this case its not due to mystery but due to the appeal of the lush green grass. Oh how nice it would to go through that hole and lay down.

jet waiting

jet waiting
Originally uploaded by zen.

This is an interesting example of a Glimpse.

It may have been just another 'portrait' of an airplane. The crowd of people may have been more visible and confused the image. These things didn't happen.

The plane is visible and suggests travel to somewhere else. The crowd is in silhouette and thus becomes part of the frame. The jet becomes a little more mysterious and tantalizing.

Hallway Through Peephole

Hallway Through Peephole
Originally uploaded by Chris Campbell.

Imagine it is three a.m. and there is a disturbance down the hall. You peep through the hole trying to see what is going on. You dread opening the door unless you become involved or at least embarrassed.

You have a problem. While you can see a little of the world beyond the door you can't see everything. What can be discerned is distorted. Unconsciously you move your head around trying to see more clearly.

This is a classic Glimpse.

Levels

Levels
Originally uploaded by firemind.

This was my first submission to Glimpse.

I was having a latte in the Starbucks at Chapters and I couldn't stop watching the lower levels. I was relaxed and open to ideas and liked how the people seemed to disappear and reappear. I had to take the pic.

When I heard of the Glimpse group I knew this photo belonged there.

Poppi Alleyway

Poppi Alleyway
Originally uploaded by Auntie P.

Auntie P set the groups tone with this fine Glimpse.