Composition

CompositionComposition

Assignment for May, 2010Assignment for May, 2010

1

The Complete Photographer!The Complete Photographer! 22

The AssignmentThe Assignment Spring time is Flower time, so “Flowers” is Spring time is Flower time, so “Flowers” is

our next assignmentour next assignment• All shapes and colorsAll shapes and colors• Fields of flowers or close-upsFields of flowers or close-ups

No need to travel far to find flowers to shootNo need to travel far to find flowers to shoot• Flowers need not be exoticFlowers need not be exotic• It’s how you interpret the subject that’s importantIt’s how you interpret the subject that’s important


FlowersFlowers Shooting Flowers can be quite challenging Shooting Flowers can be quite challenging Correct Exposure is criticalCorrect Exposure is critical

It’s very easy to blow out highlights if not carefulIt’s very easy to blow out highlights if not careful• Results in color shift in minor casesResults in color shift in minor cases• Total loss of detail in more severe casesTotal loss of detail in more severe cases• Try to avoid direct mid-day sunlightTry to avoid direct mid-day sunlight• Shooting RAW can help (might recover up to one stop)Shooting RAW can help (might recover up to one stop)

Even a slight breeze can cause motion blurEven a slight breeze can cause motion blur• May need to use high ISO setting to get faster shutterMay need to use high ISO setting to get faster shutter• Smaller aperture to increase depth-of-fieldSmaller aperture to increase depth-of-field

Macro shots in windy conditions are virtually impossibleMacro shots in windy conditions are virtually impossible• Use flash (with caution!) if light not bright enoughUse flash (with caution!) if light not bright enough


Flowers, CompositionFlowers, Composition• Selective Focus / Depth-of-Field managementSelective Focus / Depth-of-Field management

Very important when photographing flowersVery important when photographing flowers Whether shooting a field of flowers or using macroWhether shooting a field of flowers or using macro

• Increase Depth-of-Field by reducing aperture (greater “F” number)Increase Depth-of-Field by reducing aperture (greater “F” number)• Too small an aperture will result in overall “softness”Too small an aperture will result in overall “softness”

• CompositionComposition Subject placement – “Golden Ratio” Subject placement – “Golden Ratio” (~Rule of Thirds)(~Rule of Thirds) Leading lines, Interesting shapesLeading lines, Interesting shapes Lighting, Color, TextureLighting, Color, Texture Perspective…Try shooting upwards for a different lookPerspective…Try shooting upwards for a different look Minimize clutter….Simplify!Minimize clutter….Simplify!


Deliberate BlurringDeliberate Blurring

• Try zooming as you’re shootingTry zooming as you’re shooting• Try twisting or “jerking” the Try twisting or “jerking” the camera while shootingcamera while shooting

• Blur or smudge selectively in Blur or smudge selectively in post-processingpost-processing

• Try double-exposuresTry double-exposures One blurredOne blurred One in sharp focusOne in sharp focus

• Then combine themThen combine them


EquipmentEquipment You really won’t need special equipmentYou really won’t need special equipment

• Most lenses will let you take fields of Most lenses will let you take fields of flowers and even flower arrangementsflowers and even flower arrangements

However, if you want to do macro However, if you want to do macro (close-up) shooting(close-up) shooting• Use extension tubes (cheap)Use extension tubes (cheap)• Use a diopter close-up lens (medium cost)Use a diopter close-up lens (medium cost)• Macro 1:1 lens (most expensive)Macro 1:1 lens (most expensive)


Equipment, Cont’d…Equipment, Cont’d… Actually, a good point-and-Actually, a good point-and-shoot can work wonders!shoot can work wonders!• Small sensor results in greater Small sensor results in greater Depth-of-Field for a given Depth-of-Field for a given aperture.aperture.

Now, for some examples…..Now, for some examples…..


Focus, ColorFocus, Color


Composition, LightingComposition, Lighting


Interesting SubjectInteresting Subject


Colors, Colors, Selective Selective

FocusFocus


Different Different PerspectivePerspective


Soft Radial Blur in PSSoft Radial Blur in PS


Dramatic BlurringDramatic Blurring


Blurring, B&W Blurring, B&W ConversionConversion


Slow Shutter, RotationSlow Shutter, Rotation


Very Large Depth-Of-FieldVery Large Depth-Of-Field(32 stacked exposures)(32 stacked exposures)


Double ExposureDouble Exposure


Macro - 100mm f/5.6Macro - 100mm f/5.6


Those were just some ExamplesThose were just some Examples

Creativity is what it’s all Creativity is what it’s all about.about.

Be Deliberate!Be Deliberate!• PlanPlan your shots, don’t just take your shots, don’t just take snapshots.snapshots.

• Walk around, change perspectiveWalk around, change perspective• Experiment….Try something differentExperiment….Try something different


SubmissionsSubmissions Select two of your best shots and Select two of your best shots and upload them to our web page into the upload them to our web page into the “Flowers10” gallery.“Flowers10” gallery.

Deadline for submission is May 6thDeadline for submission is May 6th

Turn in only what you have shot for Turn in only what you have shot for this assignment – this assignment – • Try not to Recycle!Try not to Recycle!


Finally,Finally, You will not be competing with You will not be competing with othersothers• You will just be competing with You will just be competing with yourselvesyourselves

Do better today than you did yesterdayDo better today than you did yesterday

Go and shootGo and shoot

Have Have FUNFUN in the process! in the process!

Composition

Documents

psthe complete photographer

themthe complete photographer

colorthe complete photographer

field of flowers

flowersshooting flowers

colorsfields of flowers

greater depth

large depth