Dec 21 2011 12:11 pm
Video by Robert Grant Article by SASHA GiTiN
Photography tutorial will show you how to create a well balanced photographic composition.
Composition Challenge: Deadline: December 31st, 2011 (CLOSED)
Winning Image is:
Congrats to Franco Scozzarella from Italy!!!
The choice of black background, natural surface and bright light on the fruit created a perfect balance of concept and composition.
Thank you all for participating !!! Choosing the wining image was not easy at all. Great work everyone!!!
Composition is one of the most important aspects of photography. No matter how gorgeous your lighting might be, or how unique your subject matter is, or how perfect your exposure might be, or even how great your camera and lens are, your shot will still suffer greatly if the image is lacking a good composition.
Do not worry. Composing your image is something that can be learned and significantly improved with time and experience. And by watching more LMS tutorials, they will definitely help you in this journey.
Two Ways to Photographic Composition
There are two ways to compose the shot. One way is to frame the composition that already exists. A second way is by creating your own composition from scratch. Bang!
Framing Existing Composition:
Great photographic composition already sits and waits there for you to capture it. In most cases you have no control over the subject or the environment. The photographer must be able to observe and figure out how to frame all the elements to create a perfect balance. Such compositional technique is generally used in documentary photography, landscapes, architectural, nature, macro, etc.. We will cover those techniques in upcoming tutorials.
Creating Your Own Composition:
Have your camera set up on tripod and build your composition from scratch. This technique will teach you to not only to observe carefully and closely, but will help you see and feel how shapes, lines, value, and negative space balance each other. When you are building your composition you are no longer an observer but also a creator. Creating your own composition is a truly sublime experience. In the video above Robert goes step by step and demonstrated the process.
Photo by Robert Grant
Million Dollar Advice:
Some of the best advice I received on the subject of creating a still life set was from a highly experienced food stylist, Karen Temple. She once told me a story about how on one of her very first jobs she was asked to make a large still life set. She was terrified and didn't know where to start. A veteran creative director sensed her anxiety and told her to just start doing it and “it will come to you as you go”. Now whenever I work with Karen she will push me back with her elbow eager to get to building a still life. There you have it, the secret to creating great still life is, “Just Start Working on It!”
Related Tutorials:
Challenge: “Dear Things.” The holiday season is the time of year when we reflect back on the past. Throughout our existence we tend to collect objects that keep memories. Here's the challenge. Compose multiple objects that are dear to you and create a balanced image.
Judges:
Robert Grant: Commercial and Fine art Photographer (co-founder of LMS)
Sasha Gitin: Commercial and Editorial Photographer (co-founder of LMS)
Mayra Moreno: Art Educator (BFA in Photography and Masters in Art Education)
Carl Hebert. Fine Art Photographer and Photoshop Guru.
Judging will be done using a secret ballot. Each image will be given points, Image with the most points wins.
Deadline: December 31th, 2011. Winner will be announced on this page, twitter, facebook and a special newsletter on January 2nd, 2012
How to Submit your Image:
log in to your account or sign up for a free LMS account. Then use "share your shot" link in comments. When the box opens, please click on the orange question mark for posting instructions (read instruction especially if posting from flickr).Good Luck, and Have fun!
Winner will receive a copy of “Light Science and Magic” Book
Giveaway is generously provided by the Focal Press