happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

Good article, thanks for posting

LLC Loc: Ontario, Canada

I agree 100%.
You can also do virtual museum tours and browse thru collections.

https://www.louvre.fr/en/explore#collections

https://www.moma.org/

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

https://mymodernmet.com

Funny rule I learned from my artist friend:
When you paint a picture and it is ready half way, turn it upside down. If picture still seems balanced composition is OK.

taffspride Loc: Originally Wales, now the Sunshine State

I don't often respond here, but have learned a lot from reading the forum. What is so "disgusting" about learning from a book? As a former teacher (Not photography) I soon discovered that everyone has a different way of learning, eg I am very much a hands on learner. My husband learns from books.

There are several books out there that can help. And as one person commented, books on Art are also invaluable. Also study the images of some of the great photographers, see how they have set the scene, where they have the viewers eye drawn. One of our club members (a judge with PSA) suggested finding an art teacher to give some insight on composition.

Oh none of these are "disgusting," at least in my mind.

dsnoke Loc: North Georgia, USA

What follows is just my opinion. You can see my photography at seven-oaks.net/dickspics, if you want to see how I do it.
First composition is an entirely personal things. It does come from the heart, as someone already mentioned. If one is only doing photography for their own pleasure, then what anyone else may think or do is not relevant. However, if you are doing photography for someone, or if you care what others think, then there are some lessons to be learned from seeing what has been thought to be good (either by being purchased or by being displayed in museums, for example) by people at different times and/or in different places.
Second, I have benefited from books on composition by Bryan Peterson and others. I find that seeing what others think is good (whether or not I agree) and what others have done gets me to think about my images differently. Even famous artists and photographers study the work of others.
Third, people and fashions evolve. What is considered great work today may be thought worthless in the future. Don't get stuck trying to discover a "perfect" style or method. There is no such thing. There is only what you consider your best work, and that changes as time passes.
So just go have fun!

BrianFlaherty Loc: Wilseyville, CA

Dodie:
I agree with you 100%. . .Books do NOT require batteries or passwords! They smell great when you open them! They feel great in your hand (comforting when you KNOW it is in your carry-on; and, IMMEDIATELY available). And, you do NOT need to know a Special Language in order to locate the correct page (Damned computerized indexes will NOT respond unless you search within THEIR "special" nomenclature!). I have been collecting books for over 80 years! [My folks gave me my FIRST book when I was 6 WEEKS old (It was an edited-"autobiography" of the journal written by a member of the International Brigades who was killed in battle in Spain, while fighting Franco's fascists in 1936. Since then, I have acquired more than a hundred writings of that same period; many by men and women (participants who fought beside my father) and, who I have had the pleasure of knowing)]. And, my library (which now consists of close-on 15,000 volumes of virtually EVERY genre; 95% of which are "hard-covers") gives me an excuse to add-on rooms to my house! Bernard Berenson once said: "My house is a Library with several added-on rooms as living quarters!" A neighbor refers to me as "The Long-lost Child of the Winchester Family!" (Many of you may have to look-up "The Winchester House!" to appreciate THAT comment).
PS: Relative to the question about "Composition". . .I "checked with" Ansel Adams' 10 volume series on Photography (written in 1934) And, basically Ansel says "It's in the eye of the Beholder!" By the way, the series is well-worth reading for pleasure; or, to address ANY question WE (all of us UHH'ers) can come up with! <smile>

User ID

I like that. No guide rules, just an easy way to enhance your ability to SEE.

Time permitting, you could turn your camera playback upside down to check whether you need to adjust something.

Seems like a good teaching tool.

LLC Loc: Ontario, Canada

It might be difficult. But in post you could try that and correct something with cropping...
The rule was for oil paintings mostly but it is another "tool" you can play with.
Picture on page 4 of this topics looks just fine upside down...

James Van Ells

Books may not be the rage they once were. I have Bryan Peterson's book and it is good, but I got more out of a composition course by Matt Kloskowski. Go to MattK.com and check it out; it got me thinking about things I didn't before.

User ID

In case I was unclear, I meant turning your whole camera upside down during playback, before declaring your shot a keeper. Acoarst this is for static scenes only ... as with a painting.

LLC Loc: Ontario, Canada

On my A7M3 and A6000 picture does not rotate when camera does...
But it does on playback.

taffspride Loc: Originally Wales, now the Sunshine State

I am trying to fathom what is disgusting about a book on composition. This really is not rude. But a rather a foolish statement.

User ID

Formulaic composition is disgusting.

User ID

This is how playback appears with the camera rightside up and upside down.

(Download)


(Download)

allison011501

Joe Brady a really great landscape photographer just finished writing a great book on composition. I have it and love it. Reach out to him at
Joebrady1@mac.com

Tell him Allison Lawrence sent you.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

One author and one book come to mind: John Hodgecoe and "The Family of Man"