Composing the Photograph (Learn the rules, then break the rules)
Specific rules of picture composition can be immensely helpful when getting ready to take a picture. But despite what’s often written and taught, these dictums are not set in stone. Ignoring them does not mean the photograph will turn out badly. In fact, blindly adhering to even the most accepted rules can keep the photographer from creating truly interesting and inventive images.
Various rules of picture composition will be demonstrated, discussed, and dissected in class. This will be done using images made by me the instructor, a commercial, editorial, and stock photographer, as well as those of other photographers. Further, we will explore how and when to apply these rules to our photographs. It will be emphasized that specific rules are useful only when they improve a picture. Otherwise, they should be ignored.
In addition, we’ll be discussing and critiquing each other’s pictures. This will be done both as a way to further understand photographic composition and aesthetics, as well as to explore specific shooting issues you may be having with your own images.
A handout will be distributed in class. It will be used in conjunction with the presentation of my photos. These images are located on my website. The pictures will remain on the website indefinitely so that they can be used as a review whenever you feel it necessary.
I’ll also be passing out a series of printed notes I’ve compiled from several photographic and art composition books. These notes too will be used for our exploration of the topic. By the way, one of the more intriguing books is The Simple Secret to Better Painting by Greg Albert (books dealing with painting and drawing often apply just as well to photography, as does this one). He professes to solving the problem of creating interesting compositions by simply following his mantra: “Never make any two intervals the same.” That’s definitely a topic we’ll investigate!
Finally, we’ll put some of our pictures through one or more digital editing programs. You’ll learn how your photographs’ composition can be improved and even transformed through the use of these remarkable software packages.
Various rules of picture composition will be demonstrated, discussed, and dissected in class. This will be done using images made by me the instructor, a commercial, editorial, and stock photographer, as well as those of other photographers. Further, we will explore how and when to apply these rules to our photographs. It will be emphasized that specific rules are useful only when they improve a picture. Otherwise, they should be ignored.
In addition, we’ll be discussing and critiquing each other’s pictures. This will be done both as a way to further understand photographic composition and aesthetics, as well as to explore specific shooting issues you may be having with your own images.
A handout will be distributed in class. It will be used in conjunction with the presentation of my photos. These images are located on my website. The pictures will remain on the website indefinitely so that they can be used as a review whenever you feel it necessary.
I’ll also be passing out a series of printed notes I’ve compiled from several photographic and art composition books. These notes too will be used for our exploration of the topic. By the way, one of the more intriguing books is The Simple Secret to Better Painting by Greg Albert (books dealing with painting and drawing often apply just as well to photography, as does this one). He professes to solving the problem of creating interesting compositions by simply following his mantra: “Never make any two intervals the same.” That’s definitely a topic we’ll investigate!
Finally, we’ll put some of our pictures through one or more digital editing programs. You’ll learn how your photographs’ composition can be improved and even transformed through the use of these remarkable software packages.