E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
I disagree with anyone who proclaims that anyone who wants to learn about anything they have forgotten, never studied, doesn't know about, or wants to learn about should not endeavour to research, read about, attend classes or just asl advice about that particular subject.
True enough, some folks have a natural "eye" or propensity for composition, placement of objects or elements within a frame, and creating images that direct the viewer's eye to the motif of the image. Some folks may not have that inborn talent but can learn to apply certain basic principles. Some other fol may have the tale but it must be developed.
I am not suggesting that any needs to follow strict rules or draw diagrams on their camera's viewing screen but there are a few basic guidelines that may help the uninitiated. Understanding someof these basics may help in understanding all kinds of traditional and more contemporary artworks of all kinds.
Compositio goes further than proportion and placement. It has to do with colour, tone, space, mood, rhythm, pose, lines and more.
It's a hell of a lot more interesting than always discussing camera brands' filters, whether or not to post process or not sitting around and counting pixcels and worrying about diffraction!
Books? If you can find anything written by Gerhard Bakker- here is a link that you can research;
https://www.dyxum.com/DFORUM/a-tribute-to-gerhard-bakker_topic61122.htmlAn old friend of mine Fran Kristian wrote a GREAT thesis on "The Powe of Composition". He self-published a few editions and sady passed aya before it went into serious distribution. Ihave a copy. You may fine one online
I disagree with anyone who proclaims that anyone w... (
show quote)
Oh, my goodness, thank you for your comments. After posting and receiving one sane response and then seeing the issue become a matter of US vs THEM, I was beginning to lose faith.
While I decided that I wouldn't get involved in the back and forth that so often evolves from comments that were intended to be simple queries, your response convinced me that there are members of this group who can look at an issue with objectivity and draw logical conclusions.
I have never read a book on composition. When asked about composition by one of my students, I generally put my hand on my chest and say, "It comes from in here." But many people can't relate to such an abstract explanation. They want, and need, discussions of rule of thirds, negative space, leading lines, triangles, and on and on. As their teacher, I feel it's my job to point them to sources from which they can glean formal, more detailed explanations. It's a great thing when a student sees me hold my hand to my chest, smiles knowingly, and says. "Yeah, I get it."
But not everyone "gets it" so easily. Some people need more formal instruction. "Pedantic" has become a bad word nowadays, but sometimes being pedantic ensures that the baseline information is delivered. Sometimes a teacher has to settle for delivering the skeleton of a lesson and pray that the student will gain the understanding that allows the flesh and blood to be attached through experience and practice.
As I said in my original post, it's been years since I began my journey in photography. I didn't hear about the rule of thirds or leading lines or any of that stuff until I joined my first camera club; that was about nine years ago. By that time I'd had over a dozen images appear as magazing covers, had been in a gallery where I sold many photographs, and had been offered an opportunity to teach photography at a major botanical garden.
I'm not asking anyone to praise or even follow me. All I'm asking is "Do you know of a book that will give a neophyte some insights into good composition?" If you don't, thank you for reading. Now move on. If you do know of such a book, please share the title. Don't tell me what I can and cannot teach. All I'm trying to do is help someone become a better photographer even if he doesn't understand what it means when i place my hand over my heart. Use another discussion to air your feelings about what can or cannot be taught; I have a job to do.