Balance in Composition - the basics.

[Russ4evr]

Ian, some great info and some great samples to go along. This is something I am
working to grasp and use more in my shots.
Russ

--

'The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows forth his handiwork' Psalm 19:1

 

[john stanton]

and effort to bring out the composition balance lesson with a different twist. Another concept to bear in mind while trying to bring out the best of our captures.
This kind of post speaks volumes for this forum.
Well done.
Enjoy yout Holiday
--
jfs

Nikon D40X

 

[MaryGierth]

Your "composition basics" is virtually identical to what Michael Freeman covers in section on Balance in his book The Photographer's Eye. Its a great book. I haven't had a chance to read thru all the posts in this thread yet but I am looking forward to doing so.

Mary

 

[MaryGierth]

Now I find this one demonstrates quite clearly how the emotional
attachment of the bird in flight can balance a shed load of trees on
the other side (notice my crude repositioning overlooked the
reflection of the bird, oops). Straight maths would struggle with
that one as the density of the bird in the image is no greater than
the trees, but our brains automatically assign it with a strong
visual value. Some would attribute this composition to the unnamed
rule - but it has nothing to do with it, the bird and trees are the
composition, not the bird alone.

IMO the balance is also related to directional forces - the little island the trees are on points left, the bird is flying right.

 

[Graeme Field]

for taking the time and effort to explain this. I learnt from it. Graeme in Oz
--

I've always loved taking pictures. Other interests incl motor bike...suzuki C90 cruiser, pushbike riding (just to keep fit after retiring),make things such as kitchens, picture frames,wood turning and other things out of timber (my forte when teaching).

 

[MaryGierth]

I would tend to explain composition much more in rules of psychology.
Or maybe some physiological aspects (the different neurons in our eye
reacting to different colours in certain ways, thereby "liking" or
"disliking" certain colour combinations). It would be interesting to
see how you eyes would scan your photos, and if we can learn
something from that. The emotions you have of seeing a bridge or a
certain colour are much more difficult to find though.

It would seem quite possible that certain psychological processes
lead to certain mathematical rules (golden section) or photographic
rules (near, middle, far).

In Michael Freeman's book The Photographers Eye is a section on Gestalt psychology which presents the Gestlat laws and principles of perception. This seems to address the viewpoints you have expressed.

 

[ZorSy]

Thanks, interesting read.

cheers

 

[yardman]

your pictures are always a joy, but the info is invaluable. Thanks for taking the time. Doug

 

[Jeri_]

Hi Mary!

How are the zones going???

“The Photographers Eye” sounds like an interesting book. I’m always on the lookout for good books to add to my growing collection. I keep hoping I’ll improve through osmosis…

Jeri

--
Don't worry about making a mistake - - as long as you learn from it.

 

[Dan Bolger]

Ian

Funny I had just read a article on "Balancing Your Compositions" in the September issue of PhotoLife. A good read informative and educational just as this post is!

Thanks, and have fun with the new ND filter.

--



Dan
London, Canada
http://www.flickr.com/photos/d_bolger/
D80, rest of gear listed in profile

 

[MaryGierth]

Hi Mary!

How are the zones going???

I've been practicing a little. I am going to Big Bend NP next month so I'll try "zoning" there.

How's the "baby?" You may have to post a picture.

Definitely check out the book - its as worthwhile, if not more so, than the video we both liked.

Mary

 

[morris]

Ian,

You have done a fine job of presenting this principle. If you can do as well with:

• Color
• Contrast
• Leading the eye
• Negative space
• Diagonals

Then we may see a lot better photos coming out to the people with no art background.

Morris

--



http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/~morris/POD

 

[Chang108]

Ian, this is one of the many reason that I'm still in this forum. Keep up the good work and sharing. It really helps me as I am more of a technical person.
Thanks again!!!

--
Chang

 

[RKadava]

I second this. My thoughts alike.

Very informative.

--
Raghu Kadava
http://picasaweb.google.com/dee70s
An elephant is a mouse made to your clients' specifications.

Ian, this is one of the many reason that I'm still in this forum.
Keep up the good work and sharing. It really helps me as I am more of
a technical person.
Thanks again!!!

--
Chang

 

[Holmes375]

Excellent insight - thank you.

My compositional skills can use all the help they can get!
--
Holmes

http://holmes.zenfolio.com/

 

[jkjond]

Now I find this one demonstrates quite clearly how the emotional attachment of the bird in flight can balance a shed load of trees on the other side (notice my crude repositioning overlooked the reflection of the bird, oops). Straight maths would struggle with that one as the density of the bird in the image is no greater than the trees, but our brains automatically assign it with a strong visual value. Some would attribute this composition to the unnamed rule - but it has nothing to do with it, the bird and trees are the composition, not the bird alone.

John – I think the image would stand alone without the bird – so the
balance is already there. I would argue that the bird adds the
emotion. No?

I reckon that without the bird I would find the right crop too tight and I'd say it needed a slight pan to the right or a crop on the left to retain the balance. Copy it into photoshop and have a play with it. Meanwhile the reflection of the bird should definitely be directly underneath it.

For anyone interested in the original image, take a look at this thread:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=28873997

I moved the bird away from the land in order to balance the shot better in a thread from MtnM, and completely forgot about the reflection (hadn't noticed it!) I also flipped the bird to give motion into the frame - and flipped the whole image to make that motion left to right. Had it been my image I wouldn't have done any of these things, actually, I'd have been tempted by the bird flip, but I'm not keen on flipping landscapes or cloning out sunsets for that matter.

--
Don't worry about making a mistake - - as long as you learn from it.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leechypics/

Make your own mind up - there are no rules in this game.

 

[jkjond]

Principles of Composition in Photography by Andreas Feininger

My copy turned up today, worth it for that amazing shot on page 111 alone. Just as I remember it, perfectly divided into quarters. I've had a quick flick through the rest, great stuff, will read it from cover to cover when I get chance.

I first read it at an impressionable age and I bet most of this book is still near the surface in my jumble of a mind despite almost 30 years!

Here's a quick quote to get people queuing to order their own 2nd hand copy. They should reprint it.

A total subject approach

Composition is not a step-by-step procedure. Instead, when composing, a photographer must use what I call a 'total subject approach' and give simultaneous consideration to all the different aspects of his future picture because they are inseparably related; a change in one will invariably result in a change in one or more of the others.

Ooooh, I can't wait to read on...

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leechypics/

Make your own mind up - there are no rules in this game.

 

[garyking]

Ian;

Apart from being amazed at your eye for a picture, I really appreciate the learned among us offering tutorials like this. Thank you.
gk
--
'I'm not as smart today as I will be tomorrow.'

 

[Jeri_]

Hi John

This was one of the first books I purchased and I will admit that it was a bit over my head the first time I read it. I’m going to read it again now and I think I will get more from it now that I have a little understanding of things. It will be great to be able to ask you a question or two if I get stuck along the way. I can do that through e-mail unless there are others here that would like to read/answer these type of questions too??? These might lead to some interesting topics of discussion.

Jeri

--
Don't worry about making a mistake - - as long as you learn from it.

 

[undutchable]

Thanks for this reference Mary, I love reading, and what I said, I still have a lot to learn on photography!

I still remember a book I once read about the Gestalt theory applied to chess. Having played chess for a large part of my life I could recognize what was said in that book.

If I remember correctly (but it was years ago) the Gestalt theory would say you recognize a face (or a favourable chess pattern, or whatever composite) instantly, without going through some intermediary phase (oh thats a blue eye, and small lips, that must be John!).

I would translate that and say our brain has good parallel processing capabilities, and uses concepts and patterns it previously have learned to identify.
--
Adriaan