Jan 31 2012 5:07 pm
Video by Robert Grant Article by SASHA GiTiN
Photography tutorial will show you how to create repetitive composition.
Photography is a marriage of science and art. In this tutorial we would like to focus on the art aspect of photography.
Previously we discussed how to create photographic composition, today we would like to go deeper into fundamentals that can guide you to create a great image.
Principals of Photography.
Just as any other form of visual arts, photography is based on certain fundamental guidelines. There are 9 Principals of Art that relate to photographic creation:
- Repetition a.k.a (Pattern & Rhythm)
- Balance
- Contrast
- Movement
- Proportion
- Emphasis
- Variety
- Harmony
- Unity
Repetition: Is the movement or variation characterized by the regular recurrence or alternation of different quantities or conditions of an object, shape line or form.
Artistic creation is not a mechanical process and one should approach creating art based of rules. However it is important to identify principals and elements of art when evaluating your own work or the work of other artist that you admire. Identifying principals and elements will help see what made that particular image so attractive to you.
In your own creative process you will notice that while using a single Principal of Art you may consciously or subconsciously create a piece witch is in tune with other principals of art as well.
As an example lets evaluate Robert's Image (which was created in Video tutorial above) and see what principals are present:
photo by Robert Grant
Visual Evaluation based on Principals of Art
Repetition: (yes!) multiple objects of the same shape (6 while bowls) were positioned in a manner where they formed a pattern
Balance: (yes!) Composition was arranged in a way that no one part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than any other part and asymmetrically balanced.
Contrast:(yes!) Dark shadows and bright highlight brought a lot of life into this image and added a lot of graphic interest.
Movement: (yes!) Directional Lighting and perspective helps the viewer's eye to move from darker to lighter tones until the eye temporally fixates on the blue bowl and softly exits the image following the highlights on the edges of bowls.
Proportion: (yes!) Using lower camera angle perspective was achieved to help create movement. The use of tele-photo lens helped to create an illusion of compressed perspective and thus to control proportions of the size of the bowls. This also helped to conceptually emphasize that one bowl is not more important then the other. (size doesn't matter but content does)
Emphasis: (yes!) the fact that there is water in one of the bowls has created a center of interest
Variety: (yes!) the blue color of water and the fact that one of the bowls was full not only created Emphasis (focal point) but also created a sense of alternation. Variety is always more interesting than repetition of the same.
Harmony: (yes!) It was achieved here because of the use similar objects throughout the work. The image created non-complicated pleasant look and feel.
Unity: (yes!) Effective use of the elements and principles of art led to a wholeness of the image (well done Dr. Bob!)
Balance: (yes!) Composition was arranged in a way that no one part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than any other part and asymmetrically balanced.
Contrast:(yes!) Dark shadows and bright highlight brought a lot of life into this image and added a lot of graphic interest.
Movement: (yes!) Directional Lighting and perspective helps the viewer's eye to move from darker to lighter tones until the eye temporally fixates on the blue bowl and softly exits the image following the highlights on the edges of bowls.
Proportion: (yes!) Using lower camera angle perspective was achieved to help create movement. The use of tele-photo lens helped to create an illusion of compressed perspective and thus to control proportions of the size of the bowls. This also helped to conceptually emphasize that one bowl is not more important then the other. (size doesn't matter but content does)
Emphasis: (yes!) the fact that there is water in one of the bowls has created a center of interest
Variety: (yes!) the blue color of water and the fact that one of the bowls was full not only created Emphasis (focal point) but also created a sense of alternation. Variety is always more interesting than repetition of the same.
Harmony: (yes!) It was achieved here because of the use similar objects throughout the work. The image created non-complicated pleasant look and feel.
Unity: (yes!) Effective use of the elements and principles of art led to a wholeness of the image (well done Dr. Bob!)
Conclusion:
Repetition was the main drive behind creating this image. But in the process of making this piece all of the principals of art were incorporated. In near future we will create tutorials emphasizing other principals and elements of art that can guide to creating beautiful images. Stay Tuned.
photo by Robert Grant
This tutorial was produced by Sasha Gitin and Robert Grant: co-founders of LearnMyShot.com. Sasha is a fabulous Food Photographer shooting for advertising and editorial industries. Robert Grant is a very creative Commercial Photographer shooting advertising and editorial, based in Connecticut. Two humble guys trying to keep you educated and entertained. Connect with us via Facebook & Twitter
Tools used in video:
Challenge for you: Create an image using repetition and pattern. You may set your own still life or capture repetitive composition present in nature or architecture. Post it here using Share your Shot Feature in Comments.