Here are some of the great impressionist artists of the past, with details of the subjects they loved to photograph:-
Edouard Manet influenced the development of impressionism - he loved to paint everyday objects.
Claude Monet - was interested in subtle changes in the atmosphere.
Camille Pissaro and Alfred Sisley - painted the French countryside and river scenes.
Peirre Auguste Renoir - loved to show the effect of sunlight on flowers and figures.
Edgar Degas - enjoyed painting ballet dancers and horse racing.
Berthe Morisot - painted women doing everyday things.
Monet displayed this famous painting at a Paris Art show leading a critic to label the whole show 'impressionist' because of its patchy texture. This led to the name being given to the movement.
I like the pastel tones in the picture and the sun's reflection in similar sky colours.
To me it does display that dream quality, though not in the same blur way as I have previously looked at. The focus point is on the people in the boat passing through, maybe on their way to work, as the background looks to be industrial.
I have looked at some Renoir images too (see below) because I had heard of him and because he loved the effect of sunlight on his subjects, which is what I am interested in.
I took this image of an entrance that was looking vibrant from the sunlight beyond. I compare it to the above in way of colours and because the the most active part of the scene is grouped to the right: sun light reflects on the branches in the right foreground brightly as it does in the foreground right flowers of the painting. Other bits of colour are introduced to his painting ( reds and blues) as are in my scene, but to a lesser amount. The tip left corner of my image shows a small section of blue sky as does the painting and then the predominate colours in both are shades of green. The form of people figures in the painting is replaced by the form of branches in my scene, and my drive path seems to be going in the same direction of that of an imagined path in the painting.
I compare these images to the impressionistic look of the paintings above and below for their vibrance and similar colours. The pictures have a jolly yet relaxed feel to them just as in the paintings. I took both images at Calke grounds when I visited before using a Canon Eos 5D hand held. I was pleased to get the birds in flight, though they were not clear, because I used a slow shutter and hand held the camera, though they do not need to be clear here to give an impression, which is what I want.
painting by Renoir
These images are very vibrant and have an overall calming feel to them. In Renoir's images the people look relaxed going about their hobbies. Their presence is important and is the focus of each scene...that tells a story of where they have been, going or have arrived at. I like the blend and mix of colours used, giving a bright and happy outlook, giving the impression it is a sunny day with its reflections on the water, field and grasses.
shutter 1/12 aperture f7.1 iso 200 Focal L 70mm
There are no people in my images but they are relaxed and have some vibrance. Each of the Renoir's paintings here have gold colours in them and trees, so I compare my above images in the same way.
shutter 0.3 aperture f22 iso 320 Focal L 105mm
This two images are a bit impressionistic to me. The top one is blurry as the tree was blowing in the wind as I took the shot in the garden, I also moved the camera to the side slightly when releasing the shutter. I think the lines are unusual and it shows pattern and colour.
I like the bottom image for its bold colours and to me it looks like the two springs may be ornamentally hanging from a wall. Again the shot was taken in the garden with the Canon Eos 5D, hand held.
shutter 1/50 aperture f4.0 iso 200 Focal L 99mm
