Photography: The Art of CompositionSince the beginning of the twentieth century, photographic composition has been taught mostly by applying the principles from the field of graphic design. But the factor that distinguishes the work of master photographers is their ability to see and describe scenes visually. This book follows contemporary educational methods used to teach fine arts such as drawing and painting, concentrating on teaching the perception of critical visual elements and understanding how they will be rendered photographically. "In many respects, this book can do for photography what Betty Edwards’ best-selling Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain did for drawing. Many people believe that seeing is a mysterious gift, the so-called ‘artist's eye." says Krages. The core of the book is a group of sixty exercise that readers perform to learn how to perceive points, lines, and shapes in static and dynamic settings. These exercises are structured enough to push photographers to develop their cognitive abilities while at the same time flexible enough to allow for individual creative expression. They also show the importance of knowing about the subject and provide some history about the specific genres at the heart of each exercise. |
Contents
The Camera as a Tool | |
The Basic Tool Operating the Camera The Tools Effect | |
Doing the Exercises | |
Knowing the Subject Consider the Genre Framework of | |
Rocks Exercise 2 Signs That Make a Point Exercise | |
Eggs Exercise 2 Gerberas Exercise 3 Tangerines | |
Thinking Like an Artist | |
History for the Artist Work Ethic Knowing Your Goals The | |
Index | |
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Common terms and phrases
acrophobia activities align angle aperture appear approach arrangements artists aspects astrophotography attention background ball birds brain callas clouds common complex composing images composition converge cracks depict depth of field develop discern distance dominant dynamic edges Edward Weston effect emphasize evaluate example Exercise This exercise exposure express eyes feature feel film flag flowers foreground frame Genre Georgia O’Keeffe Gerberas Gestalt effects glare guidelines hands hemisphere horizontal Imogen Cunningham implied lines important inflorescence kinds landscape lens lenses light linear elements lines formed look moving negative spaces normal lens objects painting particular perception personal space perspective plants portrait position reflected release the shutter render rocks scenes Setting shadows shutter speeds skating skills species star trails street photography subject matter surface taking photographs Technical Considerations tend vanishing points view camera viewfinder visual arts visual elements visual information visual mass