Photography 101 Part 2
Basic Composition
Now that you are beginning to understand how your camera works you can begin to understand basic composition. I know that many people that I've talked to think that photography is just pointing your camera and taking a photo but it's more than that. After you understand how your equipment works you can begin to get into the real art of photography and that art is called composition.
Basic principles:
1. Use all of your available space. Fill the image with the image. If the reason that your taking the photo is your daughter's beautiful face then get closer. If you're taking an image of the breathtaking valley before you. Fill the frame with the valley. Keep distractions out of the frame. They're called distractions for a reason.
2. Look at the forms in your image. You almost have to look at the people or the landscape before you in their simplistic geographic forms. A good way to learn form is to practice taking photos of still life objects, that you can arrange into pleasing forms. A good photo is always a beautiful arrangement of form. Whether it's the beauty of a woman's face, her features being forms, or a wonderful landscape, trees, rocks, and hills being forms.
3. Line or direction, motion. The direction of the forms in your photos is very important. Never have action or motion moving outside of your image. It will direct the eye away from your image. Diagonal motion lines are good, curves and "s" curves are better. The last two is probably way landscape photography is so popular nature is full of curves. Also never put a horizon line in the center of your frame.
4. Contrast, the difference between black and white. Now it is possible to have a beautiful photo with little contrast if that is your intention, this works best with color. But a lot of shots, some really beautiful shots have a nice balance of black, white, and grays. This can be manipulated for artistic purpose of course, but in the beginning you want to focus on trying to take shots with equal amounts of black, white, and shades of gray. (Shoot a roll of B&W film to really learn this principle.)
5. Color, you may have to familiarize yourself with the color wheel. (See my article Graphic Design Using Color for more information it's for graphic design but the first couple of paragraphs talk about basic color theory) Whether you're shooting nature or setting up your own shots in a studio you need to know what colors go together and why. Many of us have an instinct as to what looks good. When in doubt follow your instincts. Start out by taking shots of things that you think have pretty or beautiful colors. Show the photos to others and see if they agree. Photographers learn not only what they think is beautiful but what is universally beautiful as well.
Now the hard part practice all these principles at the same time. It's not easy! Now you really know why photographers take years to really learn their craft.
This week's assignment: Let's break this down into four assignments. You'll need four rolls of film. Roll one, fill your available space. Shoot pictures of whatever you like, but get closer. Eliminate distractions from your image. Keep the focus of your image on whatever it was that made you want to take that photo. Roll two, forms. Here's an old stand by that I did in college. Get out an assortment of vegtables and fruit from your kitchen. Put a sheet down on your table, no distractions, shoot an entire roll of the veggies and fruit making sure that your rearrange with each shot. Make sure you study your results and see which forms looked best. Roll three, Contrast, you can do this in B&W film if you want to. Take a shot of the flower in your garden in the early morning, afternoon, and sunset. Shoot some portraits at the same times, by candlelight too. When you see the results you will be surprised. Roll four, color. Use the vegtables again, this time paying attention to the colors. If you can tell me why a red tomato looks best on a green bed of lettuce or the orange sunset with the purple clouds is so captivating then you've figured out some of color theory.
If you have some specific questions please visit my Photography Forum at: http://kellypaalphotography.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php and post your question there.
About The Author
Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal
Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design. kellypaa@kellypaalphotography.com
 Google News Updated : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:25:37 GMT Detroit mayor's political future back in court - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - DETROIT (AP) - A lawyer for Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick asked a judge Friday to freeze next week's hearing that could remove him from office, accusing Gov. Judge to decide Tuesday on mayor's bid to halt ouster Hearing under way on suit against Granholm Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:06:32 GMT Evacuations begin in Louisiana - Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle - By DANE SCHILLER Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle NEW ORLEANS - About 1000 disabled and elderly residents west of the city are being evacuated this afternoon and New Orleans officials are considering whether to order more people out of the projected ... Video: New Orleans Braces For Gustav Gulf Coast prepares as storm Gustav approaches Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:56:04 GMT Mayor Melton Advises Public of West Nile Precautions - WLBT-TV WLBT-TV - When planning outdoor activities this Labor Day weekend, Jackson residents are encouraged to reduce their risk of contracting West Nile virus by protecting themselves from mosquito bites and removing sources of standing water near their homes. DELAWARE: West Nile virus appears later than usual West Nile victim's widow ponders his death Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:28:14 GMT Microsoft to Buy Greenfield, Adding European Web Shopping Site - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Phil Serafino and Dina Bass Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp., seeking to catch Google Inc. in the Internet-search market, agreed to buy Greenfield Online Inc. for $486 million to add Web sites that help consumers find product reviews and ... Survey Says ... Microsoft Is a Smart Shopper Microsoft to buy price comparison website Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:24:21 GMT Thai Protest Stops Trains and Planes - New York Times
New York Times - By THOMAS FULLER BANGKOK - Protesters in Thailand ratcheted up their campaign to oust the government on Friday, broadening their occupation to stop trains and block provincial airports, as well as waging an unsuccessful attack on police headquarters ... Thai rioters attack police station UPDATE 8-Thai protests hit police HQ, disrupt airports Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:31:31 GMT Gustav on the Brink of Explosive Development - Washington Post
Washington Post - Over the past 48 hours Tropical Storm Gustav proved it was a survivor, as it withstood difficult journeys over Haiti and Jamaica. Now it may turn into a monster. Video: Gustav Set to Batter Cuba, Enter Gulf of Mexico Gustav threatens Caymans after swamping Jamaica Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:05:23 GMT In Lack of Health Insurance Coverage Texas Is First - eMaxHealth.com
eMaxHealth.com - Texas is at the top of the heap again - this time we are the most uninsured state, health care-wise, in the country. Oh wait, being without health insurance coverage is not a good thing, is it? Number of uninsured Americans drops Update2: Number Of Americans Without Health Insurance Drops Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:22:00 GMT Increase Web Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... There are also some excellent online courses available and some... Read More The Vacation Season is fast approaching and naturally you will... Read More Last month we bought the Canon Powershot A80 online for... Read More The business of stock photography has drastically changed over the... Read More Once you have clicked photos through your digital camera, then... Read More What I learned from a mentor that enabled me to... Read More Almost any shot will look better if you take two... Read More Almost all of us will have seen this particular photographic... Read More Do you like to take photos? Are you always standing... Read More Portrait is defined as, "A likeness of a person, especially... Read More If you use a digital camera (I use a Canon... Read More A picture is worth a thousand words, so goes a... Read More Imagine taking your new digital camera on a vacation and... Read More Why is a 3 megapixel camera better than a 1... Read More Youv'e taken that perfect photo in the perfect light at... Read More There are two sources for obtaining the moulding for making... Read More There are many kinds of disposable cameras. All disposable cameras... Read More Sometimes, usual photographs look so common and boring. Converting your... Read More 1. Pet photos - advertise a Pet Photography business where... Read More The warm feelings are flowing all around when the pet... Read More Your first thought when you read "Alligator Farm" might be... Read More The article given here was written for Adobe Photoshop 5,6,7,CS,... Read More When you're driving through the mountains somewhere, and you... Read More When buying a digital camera there are many things you... Read More What have you done with the photos you've taken with... Read More
Adsense
websites
Photography Courses Online
Traveling to Europe with Your Digital Camera?
Canon-Powershot-A80 Review
Selecting Good Stock Photography in the Age of Digital
The Primer on Digital Camera Printers
Photography Success Without School
Get Closer to Your Subject
Help! My Old Colour Photo has Turned Pink ? 5 Minute Digital Fix
Photography Contest - a fun and rewarding experience
Portrait Photography: Tips and Methods
Digital Photography: The RAW vs JPG Debate
Inspired Vision
Getting the Most From Your Digital Camera Memory Card
The Truth About Pixels, Part 2-1: Printing 4x3 Inch Photos
Proper Handling and Storage of Paper Photos
Picture Framing for Photographers - Part 2
Where to Find Cheap Disposable Cameras
Stitching Memories
10 MORE Ways to Make Money with Your Digital Cameras
Four Unique Ways for the Pet Portrait Artist to Stand Out
The Alligator Farm - Home to Beautiful Winged Creatures
Studio Photography and Digital Backgrounds
Travel and Scenic Photography 101
How to Buy the Right Digital Camera
Let Those Digital Photos Out! (You Don?t Have To Print Them Yourself)
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Getting Your Photos Ready for Sharing
One of the main reasons people buy digital cameras is... Read More
10 MORE Ways to Make Money with Your Digital Cameras
1. Pet photos - advertise a Pet Photography business where... Read More
Photography: The Basics
Photography comes from the Greek words meaning "light writing" and... Read More
How to Create a Great Video - a Simple Guide on How to Shoot Home Movies with a Camcorder
So you have bought a camcorder and have shot some... Read More
Top of the Line Digital Cameras
If you think that digital cameras are for snapshots only,... Read More
Proper Handling and Storage of Paper Photos
Youv'e taken that perfect photo in the perfect light at... Read More
Black and White is Beautiful
Think about Laurel and Hardy for a moment, or Charlie... Read More
Wedding Photography: How to Become a Successful Wedding Photographer
Once in while I receive e-mails or phone calls from... Read More
Start Up a Travel Photography Business
Too many people have the idea that being paid to... Read More
Market Your Photography Business
Setting up your own photography business it easy, you don't... Read More
Digital SLR Camera versus a Compact Digital Camera
Digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras are excellent cameras that... Read More
To Camcorder Enthusiasts: What Does Reality TV Really Mean? - Great News for the Camcorder User!
Reality TV is experiencing an upsurge in popularity and its... Read More
Taking Panoramic Landscapes - The Easy Solution
I love panoramas. There's something very appealing about their shape.... Read More
Photography Workshops and Master Classes
Several years ago, I met a fellow photographer - albeit,... Read More
Wildlife Scouting Cameras
For years I wondered how big the bucks were that... Read More
Digital Camera Basics
Digital Camera Basics? The VocabularyShopping for a digital camera can... Read More
8 Simple Tips for Taking Great Baby Photos
Taking pictures of your new baby is a great way... Read More
Tips for Better Vacation Photos
Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More
Olympus Digital Cameras - Digging Into The History
One of the oldest companies, Olympus has had a long... Read More
The Arizona Desert Museum
The vast beauty and richness of the desert can be... Read More
Digital Camera Batteries
Every device needs a driving force to operate, just as... Read More
Digital Camera Printers
The digital camera is not meant only for capturing images... Read More
The Beginner Buyers Guide To Digital Cameras, Or The Ins And Outs Of Megapixels
The most important part of buying a digital camera is... Read More
Use A Tripod!
Using a tripod is essential when taking photos - and... Read More
Have You Read Your Digital Camera Manual?
Have you read the manual that came with your digital... Read More
Photography |