Take three or four photographs in which a single point is placed in different parts of the frame. When composing the shots use these three rules:
1) the place of the point shouldn't be too obvious;
2) the composition should hold a tension and be balanced (the golden section or rule of thirds); and
3) the point should be easy to see.
Evaluate the shots according to these rules and select which one you think works the best.
Then take a few more shots without any rules. Without the rules how can you evaluate the shots?
1) the place of the point shouldn't be too obvious;
2) the composition should hold a tension and be balanced (the golden section or rule of thirds); and
3) the point should be easy to see.
Evaluate the shots according to these rules and select which one you think works the best.
Then take a few more shots without any rules. Without the rules how can you evaluate the shots?
Starting Approach
Oh this exercise has set me off down many rabbit holes and has on occasion had me cursing, as for a period of time I felt, despite my best efforts, that I was continually missing the point.
I took two sets of photos on 2 September, with my understanding on the topics being introduced purely based on the course notes. A link to the contact sheet is here: exercise_1.2_-_contact_sheet.pdf
Oh this exercise has set me off down many rabbit holes and has on occasion had me cursing, as for a period of time I felt, despite my best efforts, that I was continually missing the point.
I took two sets of photos on 2 September, with my understanding on the topics being introduced purely based on the course notes. A link to the contact sheet is here: exercise_1.2_-_contact_sheet.pdf
Review - Set one - The Ducks
My thoughts on reviewing the contact sheet:
Images 6316 - 6334 were taken with the aim of using to silver ducks as the "point".
Image 6316
The photo is ok, although I think the ducks are more of a subject rather than a point.
Image 6317
The framing is off, although the ducks are more of a point.
Image 6318
Out of focus.
Image 6319
In focus. The framing is better.
Image 6320
Again are the ducks a subject rather than a point?
Image 6321
Out of focus.
Image 6322
The same as image 6319, although there is more of border. Does this make for a better photo? As it is not as straight, no/
Image 6323
The ducks are the subject rather than a point. The image is not straight.
Image 6324
Poor composition. Nothing attracts the focus. The ducks are out of focus.
Image 6325
The ducks are lovely and crisp and are most definitely the subject of the photo rather than being a point. Not meeting the brief!
Image 6326
Better organised than 6324...they could be a point.
Image 6327
Out of focus.
Image 6328
Needs straightening and less foliage being peered through, however I quite like which this shot could become.
Image 6329/30/31
Boring fails.
Image 6332
Out of focus.
Image 6333
The ducks are in focus but are the subject of the photo.
Image 6334
I was endeavouring to move around, to try different angles. Kind of works.
My thoughts on reviewing the contact sheet:
Images 6316 - 6334 were taken with the aim of using to silver ducks as the "point".
Image 6316
The photo is ok, although I think the ducks are more of a subject rather than a point.
Image 6317
The framing is off, although the ducks are more of a point.
Image 6318
Out of focus.
Image 6319
In focus. The framing is better.
Image 6320
Again are the ducks a subject rather than a point?
Image 6321
Out of focus.
Image 6322
The same as image 6319, although there is more of border. Does this make for a better photo? As it is not as straight, no/
Image 6323
The ducks are the subject rather than a point. The image is not straight.
Image 6324
Poor composition. Nothing attracts the focus. The ducks are out of focus.
Image 6325
The ducks are lovely and crisp and are most definitely the subject of the photo rather than being a point. Not meeting the brief!
Image 6326
Better organised than 6324...they could be a point.
Image 6327
Out of focus.
Image 6328
Needs straightening and less foliage being peered through, however I quite like which this shot could become.
Image 6329/30/31
Boring fails.
Image 6332
Out of focus.
Image 6333
The ducks are in focus but are the subject of the photo.
Image 6334
I was endeavouring to move around, to try different angles. Kind of works.
Set one - chosen images
Image 6319
The edges of and struts within the window frame, provide a please composition. The ducks attract the eye but are not the main subject matter.
Improvements - Could be straightened slightly. Remove the reflection of my arm in the window. Reshoot to include some wall at the top, i.e. so that it is an even border all around the window frame.
The edges of and struts within the window frame, provide a please composition. The ducks attract the eye but are not the main subject matter.
Improvements - Could be straightened slightly. Remove the reflection of my arm in the window. Reshoot to include some wall at the top, i.e. so that it is an even border all around the window frame.
Image 6325
I think this is the best balanced photo from this set. Whilst the ducks are the subject matter and in the obvious, centre, middle location, the plants and shrubbery either side, splits the photo into pleasing thirds.
I think this is the best balanced photo from this set. Whilst the ducks are the subject matter and in the obvious, centre, middle location, the plants and shrubbery either side, splits the photo into pleasing thirds.
Review - Set one - The Pale Lady
Images 6335 - 6353 were taken with the aim of using to pale lady as the "point".
Image 6335
She is too pale and is the subject.
Image 6336
Out of focus and she is lost within the picture.
Image 6337
Completely out of focus.
Image 6338
In focus, but she is the subject rather than a point. I like this photo, however it is off brief.
Image 6339
Out of focus, however should be a point.
Image 6340
She is the subject of the photo.
Image 6341
I like this photo I=in focus and is possibly, potentially a point!
Image 6342
Again, in focus, but both of the are definitely subjects.
Image 6343
She is the subject, but I like this photo.
Image 6344
Fail. Out of focus.
Image 6345
Different angle. Doesn't work and I don't immediately know why. May be it is the dark hole in the centre of the photo.
Image 6346
Fail. Out of focus.
Image 6347
In focus, but is the background too blurred?
Image 6348
Changing angle again. The curve of the tree and arc of sky is leading the eye, but I don't know if it is competing rather than assisting the composition.
Image 6349
Her front and centre. Overexposed.
Image 6350
Does this work? Hmmm, it kind of meets the rule of thirds, however is there too much emptiness, white space?
Image 6351/52/53
Trying to make her more of a subdued hidden point. Fail.
Images 6335 - 6353 were taken with the aim of using to pale lady as the "point".
Image 6335
She is too pale and is the subject.
Image 6336
Out of focus and she is lost within the picture.
Image 6337
Completely out of focus.
Image 6338
In focus, but she is the subject rather than a point. I like this photo, however it is off brief.
Image 6339
Out of focus, however should be a point.
Image 6340
She is the subject of the photo.
Image 6341
I like this photo I=in focus and is possibly, potentially a point!
Image 6342
Again, in focus, but both of the are definitely subjects.
Image 6343
She is the subject, but I like this photo.
Image 6344
Fail. Out of focus.
Image 6345
Different angle. Doesn't work and I don't immediately know why. May be it is the dark hole in the centre of the photo.
Image 6346
Fail. Out of focus.
Image 6347
In focus, but is the background too blurred?
Image 6348
Changing angle again. The curve of the tree and arc of sky is leading the eye, but I don't know if it is competing rather than assisting the composition.
Image 6349
Her front and centre. Overexposed.
Image 6350
Does this work? Hmmm, it kind of meets the rule of thirds, however is there too much emptiness, white space?
Image 6351/52/53
Trying to make her more of a subdued hidden point. Fail.
Set two - chosen images
I think this is a balanced photo. The lady drawing the eye towards the bottom left edge, the open door pulling the eye to the top right corner.
The lady eye pleasingly sits in the rule of thirds.
I finally get the point...