Composition 101

Newer members often state that they think their question is too basic, or stupid, or whatever, to be posted. Nothing could be further further from the truth in any section at DSLRUsers.com, but especially here. Don't feel intimidated. The only stupid question is the one that remains unasked. We were all beginners at one stage, and even the most experienced amongst us will admit to learning new stuff on a daily basis. Ask away! Please also refer to the forum rules and the portal page

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is. Please also check the portal page for more information on this.

Composition 101

Postby adamj123 on Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:48 am

Having recently started in photography myself composition was and still is one of the concepts i am trying to grasp. I found this tutorial: http://www.morguefile.com/archive/class ... h5sbdr58j0
which really goes into detail about composition, here is an extract from the inntroduction:

Today digital photography holds out the promise of instant mastery. Auto-focus, auto light-metering, image stabilization, infinite deletes... the list of benefits we get from today's technology is practically limitless. And it's easy to get caught up in their promise.

But, while all that digital assistance (plus the seemingly endless ability to manipulate our images once they get to hard drive) has certainly been a boon to today's shutterbugs, obviously taking a great photo is about much more than great technology.

How else can we explain all the top-notch lens work done long before the invention of the microchip -- Without erase, without autofocus, without image stabilization, without any of the rest of our modern conveniences? Some of the Old Timers of Photography made masterpieces using equipment that would be indistinguishable from junk today; Just wood boxes with pinholes in them, and treated metal plates.

So forget technology for a moment. Technology will take care of itself. There's lots to learn about good picture-making that technology has nothing to do with.
User avatar
adamj123
Member
 
Posts: 67
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:38 pm
Location: St Kilda, Melbourne

Postby BT*ist on Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:54 am

Interesting article, and I liked the thorough analysis and definitely agree with the introduction. I found some of the analyses to be ... well... over-analytical, and biased towards finding shapes and patterns that I couldn't even see! It would have been interesting to see a deconstruction of ineffective photos from the same standpoint, or a comparison of crops that heighten or lessen the aspects being talked about.

All that said, it's bringing home to me one fact - I seem to have trouble with composition 'on the fly', and instead tend to do most of my composition-type work in Photoshop afterwards where I can spend more time.

Thanks for posting the article! I'm off to read some of the other stuff on the site... uh, I mean... do some work.
Pentax istDS+K10D. Pentax 50mm f1.4, Sigma 10-20mm, Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro, Kit Lenses. http://www.redbubble.com/people/berndt2
User avatar
BT*ist
Senior Member
 
Posts: 609
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:38 am
Location: London, United Kingdom

Postby Killakoala on Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:48 pm

Or just do what i do and move the viewfinder around until the subject looks nice. :)
Steve.
|D700| D2H | F5 | 70-200VR | 85 1.4 | 50 1.4 | 28-70 | 10.5 | 12-24 | SB800 |
Website-> http://www.stevekilburn.com
Leeds United for promotion in 2014 - Hurrah!!!
User avatar
Killakoala
Senior Member
 
Posts: 5398
Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2004 3:31 pm
Location: Southland NZ

Postby adamj123 on Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:56 pm

Killakoala wrote:Or just do what i do and move the viewfinder around until the subject looks nice. :)


well thats what i have been doing till now but apparently what looks good in my eye won't necessary look good with others :D
User avatar
adamj123
Member
 
Posts: 67
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:38 pm
Location: St Kilda, Melbourne


Return to Absolute Beginners Questions

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 29 guests