A Book on Composition

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Archive 2009 · A Book on Composition

Andy Wood
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p.2 #1 · A Book on Composition

Its good to read books like this. After teaching at the Community College though its interesting to note that it almost can't be taught. "Some students just never get it" and some people know composition without being taught it. No matter how many books they read. Those that "kind of get it" learn a lot. I think lighting and camera basics can be taught, that is why you see more books written for those subjects.

Nov 20, 2009 at 07:10 AM

Marie-Louise
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p.2 #2 · A Book on Composition

Thanks for posting this one, I've just ordered a copy. Not only to improve my own comp knowledge but also to show my 8 year old's teacher that her Modern Art With Ears is actually very good

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:28 AM

Dawidbar
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p.2 #3 · A Book on Composition

Ziffl3 wrote:
Evan - Have you checked out the 'Photographers Eye' by Micheal Freeman?

+ 1
A great photographer and a great guy writing great books. Learned a lot from them.

Gonna check that one out as well, TY Evan.

Nov 20, 2009 at 11:19 AM

lisy78
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p.2 #4 · A Book on Composition

Am I the only one who instead of buying it put it on hold at the library? Doesn't hurt that the library is like 100 feet from my day job so when they call me to tell me it's ready for pickup I just have a 2 minute walk to take

Nov 20, 2009 at 01:47 PM

unblinkable
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p.2 #5 · A Book on Composition

I was lucky enough to be GIFTED this book by the wonderful Evan and Amanda. We're LOVING it! And I'm even going to use it as part of our homeschooling program! Such a great concept for a book!

Thanks again, Evan!

Nov 20, 2009 at 04:37 PM

littleme
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p.2 #6 · A Book on Composition

lisy78 wrote:
Am I the only one who instead of buying it put it on hold at the library? Doesn't hurt that the library is like 100 feet from my day job so when they call me to tell me it's ready for pickup I just have a 2 minute walk to take

yay libraries-- as I work at a library i didn't even need to put the hold. people are probably buying it b/c it's so cheap

Nov 20, 2009 at 05:55 PM

sunpole
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p.2 #7 · A Book on Composition

deepbluejh wrote:
Great post. Got any suggestions for a book on posing?

Anyone? I would also love to read a good book on posing.

Nov 20, 2009 at 06:12 PM

XPO239
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p.2 #8 · A Book on Composition

Thanks Evan! I will check this out fo sho.

Nov 21, 2009 at 05:27 AM

Dudewithoutape
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p.2 #9 · A Book on Composition

Thank you for the recommendations

Nov 21, 2009 at 06:24 AM

William Wilson
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p.2 #10 · A Book on Composition

Have a look at Face to Face: Rick Sammon's Complete Guide to Photographing People

http://www.amazon.com/Face-Sammons-Complete-Photographing-People/dp/059651574X

Nov 21, 2009 at 09:23 AM

littleme
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p.2 #11 · A Book on Composition

So I read it-- did anyone else?

Nov 24, 2009 at 03:39 AM

Evan Baines
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p.2 #12 · A Book on Composition

littleme wrote:
So I read it-- did anyone else?

And what did you think?

Nov 24, 2009 at 03:43 AM

littleme
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p.2 #13 · A Book on Composition

I really enjoyed her visual aesthetic, being walked through the decisions she made and why, being involved in that predicting... It is interesting... what makes some images more attractive to us than others and how people "read" an image.

Here are some bits I picked up:

1. An image in the center is strong and naturally calls all attention to itself and makes it counter-intuitive to explore the rest of the picture. There is a time and place for it, and artists tend to use the center position sparingly.

2. Diagonal lines encourage just the opposite-- they imply movement, they encourage us to explore the rest of the picture.

3. When translating a 3d world into 2d, you have more storytelling abilities to take advantage of proximity by emphasizing one element over another. You can also use perspective to isolate or surround depending on the mood you want to capture.

4. Connecting two objects makes them read as a single unit. I think of this with bride and groom standing apart but joined in some way-- maybe holding hands.

5. If it is too close to being over it looses our attention-- give the interaction some space to increase the tension. I would liken the illustration of the dinosaur very close to the man who is pinned to the cliff on p 88 as the kiss and the dinosaur farther away from the man 89 as the almost kiss. The almost kiss draws us in more than the kiss itself.

I actually contemplated getting out some construction paper and playing

Evan, did you save yours from art class?

Nov 24, 2009 at 05:14 AM

littleme
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p.2 #14 · A Book on Composition

Did anyone else read it?

Nov 24, 2009 at 04:54 PM

lisy78
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p.2 #15 · A Book on Composition

mine's "in transit"

Nov 24, 2009 at 05:01 PM

Ziffl3
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p.2 #16 · A Book on Composition

getting it this T-day break.

Nov 24, 2009 at 05:13 PM

Rosborne
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p.2 #17 · A Book on Composition

I received my copy yesterday. It's funny, I was expecting a book that discussed composition as it relates to photography, but it was completely different, and I was actually pleasantly surprised. To me, it's interesting to explore the relationship between the compostion/colors of pictures and the emotions that are derived from that compositon.

Some of my takeaways: Diagonal lines implying a feeling of tension and movement, the power of the color white when used in restraint (especially against a dark background), and 'littleme' I completely agree, to me the discussion of the use of space to create fear and anticipation immediately made me think of the separation right before the kiss as opposed to two lips smashed together.

We sometimes have clients tell us that they really like certain photos but they have no idea why. To be honest, there are certain photos that I would look at and not know why I like them either. It really is interesting to understand some of the psychology behind simple compositional changes and the emotions those changes can evoke.

Thanks Evan, great recommendation.

Nov 24, 2009 at 05:34 PM

DB
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p.2 #18 · A Book on Composition

Still waiting to get mine in!

Nov 24, 2009 at 07:06 PM

littleme
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p.2 #19 · A Book on Composition

Rosborne-- nice insight.

The book also got me thinking about photography as being a visual storyteller. I am a total newbie-- just started in July, so I'm sure there are all kinds of technical things wrong with these, but here are a few that I like b/c they tell a little story.

1. crooners

2. Crooners gone wild

3. Father-son dance moves

4. Crowds reaction to the dancing duo

5. Bride's dad gettin down

Dec 01, 2009 at 08:10 PM

Pandacat
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p.2 #20 · A Book on Composition

Pretty good book. Well worth the twelve dollars.

Page 80 was written by Chuck Gardner.

Dec 02, 2009 at 12:38 PM

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