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Author Topic: Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition  (Read 7881 times)

lenelg

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« on: March 18, 2011, 07:45:34 am »

Thoughtful points, as always, by Alain. However, I sense a contradiction between Alain´s thought #4, "What the camera captures is objective. What the artist sees and feels is subjective" and #11, "People, not cameras, compose photographs"..  ;)
 
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Ben Rubinstein

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2011, 07:52:09 am »

I think it strengthens it!

A person composes with their own subjective take on a scene.
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LesPalenik

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2011, 07:52:56 am »

Great ideas, Alain, and thanks for putting them into some order (out of the chaos).

The Badwater image is absolutely beautiful and very fitting in this context.
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stamper

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Re: Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2011, 08:12:59 am »

Thoughtful points, as always, by Alain. However, I sense a contradiction between Alain´s thought #4, "What the camera captures is objective. What the artist sees and feels is subjective" and #11, "People, not cameras, compose photographs"..  ;)

Cameras do compose images because of the aspect ratio which forces people to fit their image into the sensor size restraints. This has a great effect on composition especially if you don't believe in cropping. ;)
 

Patricia Sheley

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2011, 10:01:39 am »

A fine and vision strengthening list to review as sleep arrives and before setting out in a new day. A perfect whisper in the ear as you attempt to step "Out of Chaos"
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alainbriot

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2011, 11:10:39 am »

I think it strengthens it!

A person composes with their own subjective take on a scene.

Thank you Ben.  That's exactly what I meant. 
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jdemott

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2011, 11:27:33 am »

One of Alain's best pieces.  Each of the 15 points is stated very concisely, but each one stimulates a good deal more thought.  The Badwater photo is a perfect accompaniment.
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John DeMott

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2011, 11:29:29 am »

Thanks John.  I tried to be succinct ... !
« Last Edit: March 18, 2011, 12:07:52 pm by alainbriot »
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2011, 12:47:08 pm »

One of Alain's best pieces.  Each of the 15 points is stated very concisely, but each one stimulates a good deal more thought.  The Badwater photo is a perfect accompaniment.
I agree completely.

Eric
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Christoph C. Feldhaim

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2011, 01:02:54 pm »

Honestly - I believe 90 % of good compositions are the result of a mainly subconscious process.
But reflecting composition and the things Alan mentioned will shape this subconscious process - intuition.
I reflect a lot on my images, before capture and in postprocessing - just to improve.
But the essence of the process, I believe I do automagically.
So I read these kind of articles with great interest and then forget them after some time ....

nokinq

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #10 on: March 18, 2011, 03:21:26 pm »

Excellent points and very well presented, this is the first article written by Alain that I finished without falling asleep.
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Rajan Parrikar

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2011, 12:30:08 am »

Honestly - I believe 90 % of good compositions are the result of a mainly subconscious process.
But reflecting composition and the things Alan mentioned will shape this subconscious process - intuition.

Good compositions are more likely than not a result of a prepared mind.  And a prepared mind doesn't happen by accident.  Alain's is a good ex post facto summary.

Christoph C. Feldhaim

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #12 on: March 19, 2011, 04:39:25 am »

Good compositions are more likely than not a result of a prepared mind.  And a prepared mind doesn't happen by accident.  Alain's is a good ex post facto summary.
I'm not sure if you meant this as a contradiction or affirmation .... (/me scratches head)
I just believe, that what you call "being prepared" becomes more and more a subconscious process, and that this is not by accident or arbitrarily.
One might believe actions mainly controlled by subconscious processes are somehow "by accident", but that is not my position.
I simply think in an artistic process believeing ones ego controls what happens is an illusion, but we can somehow shape the process, so to say.
Still we can do something do improve, like reading and reflecting articles like Alans.
And of course: Go out and shoot ...

Actually Charlie Parker said something similar about Jazz:
Quote
"You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail."
and:
Quote
"Don't play the saxophone. Let it play you."

NikoJorj

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #13 on: March 19, 2011, 11:39:35 am »

Honestly - I believe 90 % of good compositions are the result of a mainly subconscious process.
For some part, yes... but there can also be some conscious process (I'm thinking to Ansel Adams' "image management" eg), making Alain's list even more useful.

And if I can indulge a minor quibble (nous, les français, on aime ça... ;D) : couldn't be some kind of opposition between #6 and #7 on one hand, #8 on the other hand?
(reminds me of a line in Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket : "I think I was trying to suggest something about the duality of man, sir." - main character asked by his colonel why he has both a peace sign and "born to kill" written on the helmet)
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RomanJohnston

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #14 on: March 20, 2011, 04:57:49 pm »

I find when shooting I get into a zone where I am not thinking about what the elements of the composition are. Thinking about it seems to slow me down and kinda throws a wrench in the works and I stop following my instincts.

Roman
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feppe

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Re: Fifteen Thoughts on Composition
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2011, 08:35:46 pm »

Great article, but the photo Badwater is remarkable! It perfectly illustrates (to me) the most insightful point of the article:

Quote
2 - Composition is not just the placement of objects in the frame
– Composition also involves using color, contrast and light .
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