Composition

Research about composition techniques and work with the elements.

There are many techniques how to frame a picture what element the photographer would use to create that photo. First we have a look at Rule of thirds. This is a square based composition. Basically the screen would be sliced for three thirds horizontally and vertically. The best composition is if you would but the main element somewhere near to the crossing point of the thirds. 

Rule of thirds

www.flickr.com

The horizon is a bit lower than it logically would be and you can see the tower runs along the line of the third and meet with the bottom one. It also gives a balance to the picture.

Point of view

Point of view will give an interesting angle to the viewer. Try to see and capture the field as a photograph.

On this picture the photographer changed the point of view by lowering it it gives a different perspective to the viewer.

You can find this picture on this webpage.

Geometrical shapes

Shapes and patterns and symmetries what catches your eye. Symmetrical shapes can give a kind of rythm to the picture. Like Henri-Cartier Bresson used the shape of the stairs and the rails to create an abstract image but he also brought some movement some live into the frame with the cyclist.

Reference to this picture .

Negative space

Creative space drags more attention to the subject. Negative space is the space around your subject; the space can be totally contrasting from the subject making it visually easier for the viewer to grasp.

Simplicity

With this composition the photographers try to keep the frame simple and make the viewer easier to focus only on the subject.

Here is the link for this picture.

Depth of field (aperture)

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Depth of field

Today we have a look at depth of field, how to use the f value. The f value on the lens of a camera is to show the amount of light what the aperture will let in to hit the sensor or film. The lowest number like 1.8 or 1.2 means the aperture is wide open and it let a lot of light in. Good for low light situation. It will also affect the depth of filed. So the d-o-f will be short (background blurred).

The last two images has been taken with a higher aperture. So the details in the background can be seen. The dept of field is longer than on the previous images.

I have edited them pictures in photoshop and just saved it with lower resolution.

Research on depth of field

Depth of field research

In this post we'll have a look at photographs with short or long d-o-f. Which photographer used small aperture or large. We'll see how big difference can it make.

First start off with a picture of Joel Meyerowitz who is a street photographer from New York. He used wide angle and small aperture to show much detail as he can. This style is close to me so that's why I chose his work.

Next picture would be Andre Kertesz's street photograph. He shot in the same street style.

The last long depth of field example would be William Kelvin's street documentary photo.

He also used small aperture to bring in much detail as he can.

Short depth of field pictures are shot with a wide open aperture. So the background blurred out, less details shown. It is good for portraits with long lens.

On this picture the short d-o-f hides the details and gives a nice mood to this black and white portrait.

Downloaded this photo from tumbler. Short d-o-f the model pops out the background. Nice fashion picture.