Better Photography Tips,On Making Better Photos, Photographic Composition
Photos by Rain Rodolph
Rain Rodolph Photo
Better Photography Tips, See Glenn Pollock's 's Article About Negative Space: Much
Ado About Nothing
Ado About Nothing
Photographic Composition: Page 4
Rules of Compositionby
Glenn Pollock
A personal opinion
By: Glenn Pollock
As young architectural student, I had the honor of having the eminent
architect Charles W. Moore as a friend, employer, and (most importantly) a
teacher.
One semester I took his architectural history course. As was often the case,
he was late for a lecture. Finally he arrived, threw open the door, strolled to
the front of the classroom, said three words, and just as quickly turned and
disappeared out the door.
I, along with the other students, sat around for a while, expecting his return.
He never did. Finally it dawned on all of us that those three words were his
lecture for the day. Of course it took a while to figure out exactly what he
meant.
What were those three words?.......
.....“ASSIMILATE AND FORGET”.
Charles Moore was, of course, talking about the architectural past and its
relationship and relevance to designing in the architectural present, and I’m
writing about photography and its relationship to rules of composition [You’
ve heard them all, Rule of Thirds, Golden Mean, Leading lines, ‘S’ Curves,
Placement of the Horizon, etc.].
But those three words are appropriate in both cases.
The idea is to study the “rules”, learn about how they relate to one another,
and to the feelings they can evoke. Experiment with them. Swirl them around
in your conscious mind, like you would a good wine when testing its palate.
Then swallow them into your subconscious - let them filter through to the right
side of your brain; cleanse your left brain palate with a good French bread -
and then consciously forget it all. Let all this information influence your
photography in a subconscious way, instinctively and intuitively.
Henri Cartier-Bresson said, “Thinking should be done beforehand and
afterwards, never while actually taking a photograph.”
To quote Minor White, “The state of mind of the photographer while
creating, is blank.....”
Glenn Pollock
A personal opinion
By: Glenn Pollock
As young architectural student, I had the honor of having the eminent
architect Charles W. Moore as a friend, employer, and (most importantly) a
teacher.
One semester I took his architectural history course. As was often the case,
he was late for a lecture. Finally he arrived, threw open the door, strolled to
the front of the classroom, said three words, and just as quickly turned and
disappeared out the door.
I, along with the other students, sat around for a while, expecting his return.
He never did. Finally it dawned on all of us that those three words were his
lecture for the day. Of course it took a while to figure out exactly what he
meant.
What were those three words?.......
.....“ASSIMILATE AND FORGET”.
Charles Moore was, of course, talking about the architectural past and its
relationship and relevance to designing in the architectural present, and I’m
writing about photography and its relationship to rules of composition [You’
ve heard them all, Rule of Thirds, Golden Mean, Leading lines, ‘S’ Curves,
Placement of the Horizon, etc.].
But those three words are appropriate in both cases.
The idea is to study the “rules”, learn about how they relate to one another,
and to the feelings they can evoke. Experiment with them. Swirl them around
in your conscious mind, like you would a good wine when testing its palate.
Then swallow them into your subconscious - let them filter through to the right
side of your brain; cleanse your left brain palate with a good French bread -
and then consciously forget it all. Let all this information influence your
photography in a subconscious way, instinctively and intuitively.
Henri Cartier-Bresson said, “Thinking should be done beforehand and
afterwards, never while actually taking a photograph.”
To quote Minor White, “The state of mind of the photographer while
creating, is blank.....”
It’s important to remember that all the rules of composition, if followed to the letter, can result in poor pictures;
and all the rules can be broken and the result could be a great photo. Historically, rules of composition were
developed after the fact. Works of art, by great artists with an intuitive sense of composition, were analyzed
after they were created, in hopes of recognizing patterns, elements, and guidelines, common to them all, which
could be employed by others to achieve similar results. The problem is that these patterns, elements, and
guidelines are not necessarily universal.
One person’s art is another’s pornography.
So, the most important rule to remember (and NOT to “forget”) is that all the compositional rules, elements, and
guidelines are useful to you only as long as they enhance your photo idea. If, for any reason, adhering to them
detracts from the message you are trying to convey, then they not only can be ignored,
THEY MUST ME IGNORED.
and all the rules can be broken and the result could be a great photo. Historically, rules of composition were
developed after the fact. Works of art, by great artists with an intuitive sense of composition, were analyzed
after they were created, in hopes of recognizing patterns, elements, and guidelines, common to them all, which
could be employed by others to achieve similar results. The problem is that these patterns, elements, and
guidelines are not necessarily universal.
One person’s art is another’s pornography.
So, the most important rule to remember (and NOT to “forget”) is that all the compositional rules, elements, and
guidelines are useful to you only as long as they enhance your photo idea. If, for any reason, adhering to them
detracts from the message you are trying to convey, then they not only can be ignored,
THEY MUST ME IGNORED.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  |
Custom Search
In Better Photography Tips On Making Better
Photos consider Photographic Composition.
It is important to remember that all the rules of
composition, if followed to the letter, can result
in poor pictures.
Photos consider Photographic Composition.
It is important to remember that all the rules of
composition, if followed to the letter, can result
in poor pictures.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  |
On the other hand, when all the rules are broken, the result could be a great photo
This Book Takes the Mystery Out of Selling Your digital Travel Photos
Great Tips illustrated with Great Pics, October 20, 2010
(Amazon Review)
I found this book to be engaging and full of great tips and instructions.
The black and white travel photos inside are a joy to look at. I would
like to see another book of his with just the photos, printed larger and
on glossy stock.
The book is divided into two sections: How to take good travel
pictures, and then, How to sell them. ....
This is the sort of handbook that you will want to buy, read and then
save to refer back to again and again.
(Amazon Review)
I found this book to be engaging and full of great tips and instructions.
The black and white travel photos inside are a joy to look at. I would
like to see another book of his with just the photos, printed larger and
on glossy stock.
The book is divided into two sections: How to take good travel
pictures, and then, How to sell them. ....
This is the sort of handbook that you will want to buy, read and then
save to refer back to again and again.
It found a permanent home on my bookshelf,
September 3, 2010
This book covers all aspects of selling photographs.
Drawing from his own experience as a travel writer and
photographer, the author has created a real resource for
anyone who wants to have their images published. He
gives sound advice as to how to be productive creatively
and walks you through the necessary steps to getting your
images to market. I highly recommend this book to
anyone who is serious about selling their photographs.
September 3, 2010
This book covers all aspects of selling photographs.
Drawing from his own experience as a travel writer and
photographer, the author has created a real resource for
anyone who wants to have their images published. He
gives sound advice as to how to be productive creatively
and walks you through the necessary steps to getting your
images to market. I highly recommend this book to
anyone who is serious about selling their photographs.
Must Have, September 27, 2010
I highly recommend this book. Easy to read and
understand. Even if you are not trying to sell your
photographs this book is a must have. This book covers all
the fundamental information that you have to know on
aperture settings, filters, composition, etc. which will get you
the photographs you will be proud of and want to sell.
I highly recommend this book. Easy to read and
understand. Even if you are not trying to sell your
photographs this book is a must have. This book covers all
the fundamental information that you have to know on
aperture settings, filters, composition, etc. which will get you
the photographs you will be proud of and want to sell.
Bookmark this Page Press Ctrl - D
or Share With Friends
or Share With Friends