Wanda Knoss is a photographer and painter who lives on a ranch south of Rockglen.
鈥淚 grew up in Killdeer. My husband and I have a ranch. We have three children and six grandchildren.鈥�
Knoss is an expert at capturing 麻豆传媒AV Central Saskatchewan鈥檚 landscapes through using a process known as HDR (high-dynamic range) photography. The mostly self-taught photographer also creates abstract photos bursting with introspective colours, shapes and lines.
Knoss described HDR photography as editing inside a wet/dry darkroom, except the mechanics behind processing her photos are digitally-based, instead of using film, trays of chemicals photographic paper and darkroom enlargers.
鈥淭here are so many software programs out there, it鈥檚 amazing,鈥� Knoss said when discussing the assorted computer programs designed for HDR photography.
Her preference for HDR production is Photomatix. 鈥淵ou can run HDR in Adobe CS6.听 I've used it a few times, but didn't like how it worked compared to Photomatix.鈥�
Knoss uses an older model full frame Canon camera and lenses to produce her stunning abstract and HDR images.
鈥淚 use a Canon 5d Mk 111.听I love it.听I also use the multiple exposure dial on the camera to create painterly photos within the camera. My most used lenses are the 70-200 mm f/2.8, a 16-35 mm f/2.8 and a 100 mm f/2.8- dedicated macro lens. I have a 400mm f/5.6 with a 1.4 converter on it for wildlife.听Seems to work great,鈥� she exclaimed. 鈥淢y favourite is a walkabout lens 鈥� 25-105 mm.鈥澛� 聽
High-dynamic range photography gives Knoss鈥� realistic works their natural edge.
The human eye is able to see more details, shadows, lights and highlights in comparison to a single shot produced from a camera. HDR is a process where multiple photos are taken at different shutter speeds with a camera fixed to a tripod. The images (usually 3-7 photos) are combined to produce stunning outcomes which are closer to replicating what the eye is capable of seeing.
鈥淚 photograph for the highlights and the lowlights,鈥� Knoss said.
Her subjects have varied, yet her art is centred on the outdoors with the imagery of the prairies being Knoss鈥� speciality. 鈥淚 love to photograph landscape, people, macro, abstract, flora and fauna and a lot of rusty goodness.鈥�
Rusty goodness is a key term Knoss has used to describe her pursuit in photographing the textures of rusting vehicles and dilapidated buildings on the prairies. 鈥淚 love rusty goodness. I take lots of pictures of abstract images of old cars.鈥�
Whenever Knoss is fashioning abstract images, she sets the shutter speed dial to low speeds ranging from 7-9 then shifts the camera about with her hands. 鈥淲hile it is exposing, I also will move the camera.听I never use a tripod to do this,鈥� she added.
Knoss essentially utilizes her camera as a paint brush through intentional camera movements. 鈥淚 take a lot of abstracts using slow shutter speeds, where parts of the image will be in focus,鈥� Knoss recounted.
Her finished products are either printed on metal or acrylic before framing. 鈥淢etal is so beautiful 鈥� the colours are so rich.鈥澛� 聽
For more on Wanda Knoss, see聽.听
