Fall 2013 - 1 credit hour course

Why Photo Composition?

This course is all about learning to see differently and take photos that are different.   Knowing why it’s important to ‘see things differently’ and then learning a few rules of photo composition will help you become a better photographer.  We will not focus on any technical aspects of the camera or photography…just composition.

Read the following 2 articles and then email me a short summary telling me what YOU learned.  What are some things you are going to do to ‘learn to see differently’.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/learning-to-see.shtml

http://www.all-things-photography.com/learning-to-see-creatively.html

Assignment #1 - Fill the Frame

Read the following article on Filling the Frame.

http://digital-photography-school.com/fill-your-frame

http://www.fodors.com/travel-photography/article-filling-the-frame-46/

Using your camera (any camera, even cell phone will work) take photos of anything and practice filling the frame.  The more, the better.  The objective is to learn how to take photos that fill the frame.

Then send me your top 5 favorite photos via email attachment.

Let me know if you have questions.

Assignment #2 - Angles

In this assignment, I want us to look at the concept of shooting from different angles.

Do you actually get down on the ground when taking photos of your pets?

Does it make sense that to get a great shot of a child, you would need to get down on their level to take away some of the fear the child might have?

Have you ever taken a photo of a tree or flowers while lying on your back and shooting up?

Check out the following links on shooting from different angles:

http://www.clickitupanotch.com/2011/02/shooting-from-different-angles/

http://www.digital-photography-tips.net/digital-photography-tutorial-angle.html

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/finding-fresh-angles-to-shoot-from-digital-photography-composition-tip

http://www.wedpix.com/articles/009/working-the-camera-angles/

http://sync.sympatico.ca/photography/takingpictures/articles/shooting-from-different-angles-for-better-photos.htm

    

Using your camera, practice shooting from a unique angle - get down on the ground, lay on your belly, or your back. Show me that you are working on trying once again to see things differently which will result in inspiring photos.

Then send me your top 5 favorite photos via email attachment.

Let me know if you have questions.

Assignment #3 - Shadows

In this assignment, I want us to look at the concept of shooting from different angles.

Read the following information on Shadow Photography:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/shadows-weekend-photography-challenge

http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?catID=269

http://www.digitalpicturezone.com/digital-pictures/30-shadow-photographs/

       

Now go look for Photos with inspiring shadows. Note the time of day which you feel in best for these photos.   Take lots of photos until you get the kinds of shadow you want.

Then send me your top 5 via email attachment.

Let me know if you have questions.

Assignment #4 – Natural Framing

Take a look at the photo below.  Notice how the trees provide a ‘frame’ for the mountains?

The chainlink fence provides a natural frame for the boat dock below:

 

The playground equipment provides a natural frame for the little girl above.

Read more about natural framing in photos below.  

http://digital-photography-school.com/framing-your-shots-photography-composition-technique
http://digitalphotobuzz.com/framing-the-shot

Then go find your shots.  Experiment.   Look around. Use different angles until you find that natural frame.

Send me your top 5 via email attachment.