Elements of Composition

Composition

The rule of thirds

The rule of thirds involves mentally dividing up your image using 2 horizontal lines and 2 vertical lines, as shown below. You then position the important elements in your scene along those lines, or at the points where they meet.

(http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/rule-of-thirds)

The idea is that an off-centre composition is more pleasing to the eye and looks more natural than one where the subject is placed right in the middle of the frame. It also encourages you to make creative use of negative space, the empty areas around your subject.

Composition can be defined as the arrangement of visual elements in a picture or image, a way of ordering the visual information.  Once we see things that are of interest, we need to isolate parts of the scene and organize the important visual elements within our viewfinder to depict what we want to convey to the viewer.

Elements of Design

Lines

A line represents a path between two points, and can be either straight, curved, vertical, horizontal, diagonal or zigzag.  Lines imply motion and suggest direction or orientation. Lines that converge suggest depth, scale and distance and a line is also an effective element of design because it can lead the viewer's eye into and out of the frame.                              

                              Curved Lines that lead the eye

"http://www.photowalkingutah.com/2008/10/use-leading-lines-to-enhance-shot.html"

Converging Lines creating depth

"http://digital-photography-school.com/converging-lines"

Colour

Colour can be used to draw attention to a particular part of the image or used to create harmony or contrast. We can provoke different emotions with the correct use of colour and colours can be warm or cold.

Warm colour drawing all attention to the car and perhaps provoking thoughts of 'danger'.

"Helen Levitt - Cat next to red car, New York - 1973"

 Cold colour that provokes emotion

"http://itsmypulp.wordpress.com/2007/03/03/photographic-elements-1-colour/"

Viewpoint

 Using wide angle, upwards views can dramatically alter the effect of an image.

 "http://www.123rf.com/photo_7546321_low-angle-view-of-skyscrapers-in-manhattan-new-york-city-ny-usa.html"

Wide angle view of tops of aspen trees and sky

 "http://www.slrobertson.com/galleries/usa/colorado/fall-color/wide/aspen-sky-1.htm"

Numbers

As a rule we are told that 'odd numbers' are better than 'even numbers', in photography.  This often leads us to creating 'triangles or pyramids rather than squares', within our composition.

 Comparison between 4 and 3 strawberries

This photo of four strawberries is quite bland and boring. It is difficult to find the center of focus in this image.
Read more at http://www.photoshoptutorials.ws/other-tutorials/photography-tutorials/10-important-tips-improve-composition-photos/#Fckzcf3Gozjf7s3d.99

Read more at http://www.photoshoptutorials.ws/other-tutorials/photography-tutorials/10-important-tips-improve-composition-photos/#Fckzcf3Gozjf7s3d.99

A similar image but with just three strawberries. Although just the image is similar to the previous photo, the odd number of strawberries make it significantly more interesting.
Read more at http://www.photoshoptutorials.ws/other-tutorials/photography-tutorials/10-important-tips-improve-composition-photos/#Fckzcf3Gozjf7s3d.99

This photo of four strawberries is quite bland and boring. It is difficult to find the center of focus in this image.
Read more at http://www.photoshoptutorials.ws/other-tutorials/photography-tutorials/10-important-tips-improve-composition-photos/#Fckzcf3Gozjf7s3d.99

This photo of 4 strawberries is quite bland and boring. It is difficult to find the centre of focus in this image

This photo of four strawberries is quite bland and boring. It is difficult to find the center of focus in this image.
Read more at http://www.photoshoptutorials.ws/other-tutorials/photography-tutorials/10-important-tips-improve-composition-photos/#Fckzcf3Gozjf7s3d.99

"http://www.photoshoptutorials.ws/other-tutorials/photography-tutorials/10-important-tips-improve-composition-photos/"

 A similar image but with just three strawberries. Although just the image is similar to the previous photo, the odd number of strawberries make it significantly more interesting.

Pattern

Pattern uses elements that are repeated. The repetition of lines, shapes, tones or color can create interesting images. A repetitive pattern that fills the frame gives the impression that the pattern is massive and goes beyond the image even if the pattern or repetition is only enough to fill the screen. This is done to take images of people’s faces in a group or crowd or an assembly of arranged bottles in a factory.

 Factory Bottles but perhaps not as many as the eye perceives

"http://flickr.com/photos/monster/19350697/"

  Giant Lobelia that utilizes both pattern and spiral shape in it's composition

Pattern is not one of the six classic design principles, but it is one of the more important visual elements in modern photography. Finding a compelling pattern is almost a guaranteed way to capture an amazing photograph. Patterns appear everywhere in our world–in the bark of a tree, the honeycomb in a bees’ nest, or in a neat row of products on a store shelf. A pattern is any repeated object, color or shape – which sounds pretty basic until you start paying attention and then realize that you’ve been looking right past them for most of your life. Whenever you’re out with your camera, start training yourself to find patterns. In many cases, simply zooming in on a pattern will create the illusion of infinite repetition. You can also add interest by breaking up a pattern; a neat row of oranges, for example, will look much more interesting if you place a single lemon at one of the “rule of thirds” intersection - See more at: http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/2679/six-classic-design-elements-for-outstanding-photographs/#sthash.klR3gWZj.dpuf

"Photograph by George F. Mobley"

Pattern is not one of the six classic design principles, but it is one of the more important visual elements in modern photography. Finding a compelling pattern is almost a guaranteed way to capture an amazing photograph. - See more at: http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/2679/six-classic-design-elements-for-outstanding-photographs/#sthash.UGSlPDqp.dpuf

Pattern is not one of the six classic design principles, but it is one of the more important visual elements in modern photography. Finding a compelling pattern is almost a guaranteed way to capture an amazing photograph. - See more at: http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/2679/six-classic-design-elements-for-outstanding-photographs/#sthash.UGSlPDqp.dpuf

Pattern is not one of the six classic design principles, but it is one of the more important visual elements in modern photography. Finding a compelling pattern is almost a guaranteed way to capture an amazing photograph. Patterns appear everywhere in our world–in the bark of a tree, the honeycomb in a bees’ nest, or in a neat row of products on a store shelf. A pattern is any repeated object, color or shape – which sounds pretty basic until you start paying attention and then realize that you’ve been looking right past them for most of your life. Whenever you’re out with your camera, start training yourself to find patterns. In many cases, simply zooming in on a pattern will create the illusion of infinite repetition. You can also add interest by breaking up a pattern; a neat row of oranges, for example, will look much more interesting if you place a single lemon at one of the “rule of thirds” intersection - See more at: http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/2679/six-classic-design-elements-for-outstanding-photographs/#sthash.klR3gWZj.dpuf

Level 2 Introduction to Digital Imaging Portfolio - Street Photography with Video

Street Photography Assignment

The Brief:

• To produce a series of images fitting the theme of Street Photography, clearly showing the subject matter and not simply 'grab' or 'random' shots. Think about interacting with the subject and how best to approach people.
• Use my phone or recording device, base myself in a convenient area for minimum of 30 minutes to jot down observation, decide on a theme and record ambient sounds.
• Use my phone camera instead of my DSLR to take photographs with a view to assembling a slide show which incorporates the ambient sound recorded.

I have decided to split my assignment into two slide shows although only asked for one.  I felt that adding sounds into the background of the slide show mattered to be 'in tune' with the photos being viewed and unfortunately I do not yet have to skills to create and edit my own soundtrack.

Inspiration:
For inspiration on street photography I have again looked to Meyerowitz and having watched a DVD, The Genius of Photography (2005) where Meyerowitz is on the street in America and very much in people's faces, I was certain I wouldn't be able to adopt his approach. As I expected, when it came to practising street photography, I took a much subtler stance although I do wish I could be a little more like Meyerowitz. Meyerowitz's images have continued to develop throughout the many years of his career, this is illustrated on his own website, which, also contains an honest interview about his early years.

 Images portraying Meyerowitz's approach on the street

Meyerowitz, Retrospective, date unknown

Equipment I used:
Samsung S3 Phone with integrated camera
Nikon D7000
16-85mm zoom lens
Olympus Dictaphone to record sound

Safety Considerations:

I didn't use a tripod on this occasion as Manchester City Centre is very busy and I felt it would have been a health and safety issue. As I was in a group so consequently, I didn't need to take a companion with me as a safety precaution and I kept my equipment to a minimum so as to prevent injury to myself.  As this was an outdoor shoot, the weather was also a health and safety consideration, consequently I dressed and chose appropriate footwear for the occasion. I was also mindful of the traffic, particularly the trams, allowed into pedestrian areas and took care not to stand in a dangerous position when taking photographs. An awareness of peoples feelings towards having their photograph taken is also necessary in order to avoid hostile situations.

The Shoot:
After meeting up with my college group in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester it took a little while to become comfortable with the idea of actually approaching people for their permission to photograph them.  It is quite easy to capture people from a distance, especially when they are unaware of your presence due to them being involved with their own activity or thoughts.  Intentionally interacting with people I wished to photograph actually turned out to be a much more pleasurable and rewarding experience than I had anticipated.  Many people smiled and were happy to stop or sit and let me photograph them, even when, in some of my images they look like they are unaware of me.  The people who say no or wave their hand in a negative gesture are the minority and once this happened it became easier to address my fears of rejection in this respect.

The Koffee Pot:
A cafe called 'The Koffee Pot', was chosen as a base to decide a theme, record ambient sound, make notes and take photographs with my 'phone camera'.  I simply chose to portray the people who use the cafe and the images reflect some people whom I didn't approach and interact with and some people that I did interact with.  After viewing and analysing my results, I have concluded that unless people are looking or smiling directly at you, it is difficult to tell which people I did or did not interact with.  I also aimed to portray in the slide show, the very different people that do frequent the cafe.

Piccadilly Gardens:
On my way back to get the train home from Piccadilly Station, I also chose to take photographs on the street in the area of Piccadilly Gardens. I found it easier to approach people in this area on my own, perhaps due to me being a woman and people were not intimidated by me. All of my images reflect people that I did interact with.

The Slide Shows:
I presented the images in an sequence that I felt 'flowed' and added the appropriate ambient sound from my recordings, using PowerPoint. The slide show was then saved as both a presentation and a MP4 file, the MP4 file facilitated uploading a video to the video sharing site 'Vimeo'.  I strongly feel that adding the appropriate ambient sound to my slide show of images made a substantial difference to the final presentation.

This following link is my slide show without sound:

Street Photography (Cafe) 

This following video is my slide show with sound:

This next video is my slide show of street photography in Piccadilly Gardens and once again the ambient sound was recorded in the immediate area and forms the background sound to my slide show.  I stayed with the theme of people that frequent the area and discovered that most people there were more than happy to be photographed.

My Evaluation
On this occasion, as per the brief, we were encouraged to interact with the people we wanted to photograph.  I found this daunting at first but did find myself relaxing and gradually becoming more natural with the process. The 'close-up' approach that I witnessed 'Meyerowitz' using in his DVD, really wasn't for me but I do admire how he manages to do work in the manner he does and produce great results. I did strive to create some spontaneous looking images, the way Meyerowitz has mastered but I think this takes time and practice.
I still used my camera in manual as this is my preferred choice of mode, however I do plan to attempt using Aperture Priority in the near future.  Using my phone camera was a discreet way of taking photographs but I was not overly happy with the quality of the results produced from it. I believe using a smaller and more discreet camera would probably be a better choice where discretion is an issue.  I felt the results from my Nikon DSLR were satisfactory but as I have already mentioned, I think this could be improved by trying different camera modes in the future.
On reflection, I do feel this is an effective way to present my work and the ambient sounds and music add a great deal of mood and atmosphere to the overall finished presentation. I was happy with my results with the presentations although, the next time I put together a slide show, I will add a blank slide at the end to finish the slide show in a smoother manner.

Bibliography

Howard Greenberg. (2014). Joel Meyerowitz b.1938. Available: http://www.howardgreenberg.com/#artists/abc/197. Last accessed 25th Oct 2013.

Meyerowitz, J. (2003). Joel Meyerowitz: Photographer. Available: http://www.joelmeyerowitz.com/index.html. Last accessed 25th Oct 2013.

The Genius of Photography (2005) Produced by BBC4

Art and Design (Phase 2) Mini Brief

Research for Images Submitted for 'Mini Brief 1'

The images I have taken and submitted for the mini brief are sequential in nature due to them belonging in the same theme which is, 'Street Photography'.  I have chosen the people of Chester City Centre as a theme and have included very different characters and elements of the people to be found there.  I have visited Chester as a city many times over the years and have always been fascinated by both the architecture and the diversity of people.  I made a decision to visit there on a Saturday afternoon for my images as I wanted to capture the busy streets as well as focusing on individual people.  More information regarding Chester can be found on:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester

I have taken inspiration from the work of Joel Meyerowitz, who is a multi award winning and well known, respected street photographer.  Meyerowitz is a great advocate of using colour photography in his street scenes, which I admire.  Many street photographer's try to re-create old style photography and either shoot or turn their images black and white but Meyerowitz is quoted in his biography "As an early advocate of colour photography (mid-60's), Meyerowitz was instrumental in changing the attitude toward the use of colour photography from one of resistance to nearly universal acceptance".  Meyerowitz firmly believes that we record so much more information and detail when shooting in colour, which, I agree with, particularly in street photography.  Meyerowitz himself drew inspiration from Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank and Eugène Atget, more information regarding this can be found on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Meyerowitz.  Meyerowitz shoots his images with large format film cameras.

Samples of Meyerowitz's work:

"Fallen Man, Paris" (1967)

 "New York City", (1974)

The equipment I have used is as follows:

Nikon D7000 and a Nikon D800

16-85mm lens

70-200mm lens

55-300mm lens

Safety Considerations:

I didn't use a tripod on this occasion as Chester City Centre on a Saturday afternoon is very busy and I felt it would have been a health and safety isssue. I also took a companion with me as both an assistant to help with carrying my equipment and also as a safety precaution.  As this was an outdoor shoot, the weather was also a health and safety consideration, consequently I dressed and chose appropriate footwear for the occasion. I was also mindful of the traffic allowed into pedestrian areas and took care not to stand in a dangerous position when taking photographs.  An awareness of peoples feelings towards having their photograph taken is also necessary in order to avoid hostile situations.

Images

My first image is that of a crowded street scene of people including placard holders who, although obviously meant to be working, look like they are enjoying socialising.  I have used a fast shutter speed to freeze the action of the people, making the image appear quite 'still'. This is particularly evident when looking at the legs of the people as they are frozen in action.  Although the background is quite out of focus due to the shallow DOF I used, it is also quite recognisable as Chester which, I wanted to portray, particularly in my leading image. This image has also been manipulated in Photoshop by firstly altering the white balance in 'Camera RAW' and then re-imported into Photoshop and the exposure altered using 'Curves' in the layers palette.

 

 f/2.8 1/320 sec ISO-720 98mm

My second image has captured a religious street preacher, reading out loud from his bible, trying to convert the passers by. Again I have selected a shallow DOF to bring attention to the preacher and his one and only listener stood directly behind him. Everybody else passed him by and I think there is a sense of movement in the the people as they do so. This image has also been manipulated in Photoshop by firstly altering the white balance in 'Camera RAW' and then re-imported into Photoshop and the exposure altered using 'Curves' in the layers palette.

 f/4.5 1/125 sec ISO-560 70mm

In this next image, the performer making the balloon shapes has actually made a sale. I took a few shots of this performer before finally capturing him enjoying any successl. The colours in this image already draw attention to the subject but this is also highlighted by the shallow DOF used. The baby seems quite nonplussed by it all whereas the mother looks happy to be engaging in something nice for her baby which allowed me to capture a moment of emotion. This image has also been manipulated in Photoshop by firstly altering the white balance in 'Camera RAW' and then re-imported into Photoshop and the exposure altered using 'Curves' in the layers palette.

f/2.8 1/80 sec ISO-200 70mm

This fourth image was taken of the homeless people portrayed within it after speaking to them and asking for their permission. There are a lot of homeless people in the streets of Chester and I felt it was only right to include them. The woman in the image is actually trying to teach the man how to play the guitar and is smiling as she does so. Again I feel that I managed to capture some emotion as well as depicting at least a little of their plight. I kept the DOF shallow to really focus the attention on them although you can still make out the blanket in front of them with the small amount of money they have made that day. This image has also been manipulated in Photoshop by firstly altering the white balance in 'Camera RAW' and then re-imported into Photoshop and the exposure altered using 'Curves' in the layers palette.

 f/2.8 1/80 sec ISO-450 135mm

My fifth and last image is that of the street scene below me, taken from the bridge which houses the world famous 'Eastgate Clock' in the city centre. I have chosen to use a long depth of field in this image in order to keep the buildings all along the street in focus, allowing the scene to continue into the distance. The image does also have some movement in the people and car contained within it is as I used a fairly slow shutter speed. In this image the day is drawing to a close and the crowd is now thinning. I wonder if they will give the homeless street people or the dedicated man preaching his faith, any time?  This image has also been manipulated in Photoshop by firstly altering the white balance in 'Camera RAW' and then re-imported into Photoshop and the exposure altered using 'Curves' in the layers palette.

 f/16 1/15 sec ISO-640 16mm

Link to my slide show of images:

Slide show presentation of 'The People of Chester City Centre'

My Evaluation

This is quite a new area of photography for me so approached it cautiously. When viewing my results post shoot, I felt that I should have interacted with people more as I think this would have added a more personal touch to my images.  I used my camera in manual mode, however, I am considering whether using one of the semi-automatic modes such as Aperture Priority might be a more suitable choice for this genre of photography.  I believe this would allow me to react to changing scene's on the street with more efficiency as I would only have to change the aperture, depending on the result I wanted to achieve.  Overall, I was pleased with my results but feel I could improve, particularly with my interactions with people and trying different modes on my camera.

Bibliography

Meyerowitz, J. (2003-2012). Biography. Available: http://www.joelmeyerowitz.com/photography/biography.html. Last accessed 11th November 2012.

Wikipedia. (2013). Chester. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester. Last accessed 11th November 2012.

Wikipedia. (2013). Joel Meyerowitz. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Meyerowitz. Last accessed 11th November 2012.