Photography Workshop

Compositional Techniques
Composition is obviously something relevant to both Photography and Fine Art so most of the skills learned and repeated here are transferable between the two art-forms. Photography also provides a far quicker and easier method of capturing something, even if only to be properly composed later, it also allows for capturing very momentary occurrences that would not even be seen by the eye without assistance. Next mentioned are some basic compositional techniques and rules which instantly improve the quality of images when applied.  
 
Dramatic perspective – Utilising an obscure angle to emphasise the subject, often close to it in order to create a stronger and more impactful image.

Use of lines e.g. leading lines or converging lines – Having strong straight, naturally occurring lines within the image, often to draw attention to a specific part of the image.

Framing – Using naturally occurring frames within the image, often to emphasise the scene within.

The rule of thirds – Placing an important part of the image on a third line as these are the parts of the image the eyes initially scan.

Moving in close – Taking the photograph within a close proximity to the subject in order to capture the maximum amount of detail.

Balance/symmetry – Having such in your image can be appeasing to the eye and gives a more structured image.

 
Focus

Focus is also an important part of composition within Photography, with the cameras used there is the ability to focus manually or automatically, there are benefits to each and the choice is really down to personal preference and the situation. Automatic bases its focus on the most prominent depth of field, which is often what is required, and is very useful as it does not require the time to focus which can be hindering when shots are taken quickly, although it does has impracticalities such as if you wished to have a small subject, affront a large background, in focus then manual focusing would have to be used. Manual is though, of course based upon the photographer’s eyesight and attention to detail, of which in the case of myself are perfect and full.

Aperture
Aperture is also a key part of composition within Photography, but because of the nature of the capturing, is not relevant to Art as such. Controlling the aperture also control of the depth of field of focus in the photograph, which can help to emphasise the main subject by blurring or crazing the background, it also removes any forms and only retains the tones or colours of what resides there.

Here is an example of a low aperture image on a standard lens, note the circular patterns created by the circular shape of the lens when blurred in the background. Here it helps the delicate plant, that with all in focus would otherwise be lost, become the main focus of the image and the only part to stand out.

Here is another example of a low aperture image, this using such a low aperture that it does not even require a large distance to the background for it to be crazed completely, in this photograph I wished to not only contrast the two hair colours, but also to contrast forms by keeping the foreground subject sharp, whilst softening and blurring the further subject.

Photoshop

We also utilised Photoshop by looking at the ways photographs could be edited in order to re-contextualise and re-form them, this was something I had not used before, so the images featured below are first attempts with a limited knowledge of the software. I drew reference from the work of Jerry Uelsmann whose photography holds a surreal feeling as he combines images of natural forms with man-made objects, although he creates such images using an analogue method of physically masking negatives before shooting onto photographic paper. I wanted to retain this analogue feel to the images so I used only simple tool, and processes that are possible in real life.

An original by Jerry Uelsmann

An image I created from two photographs I’ve taken, in the style of Jerry Uelsmann.

An image I created from two photographs I’ve taken, combining layering and double exposure.