Photography Tutorial–Composition

Using design elements in landscape photography

Why study composition?  Edward Weston said, and I paraphrase, that studying the laws of composition before taking a photograph is like studying the laws of gravity before going for a walk.

Well, sometimes I feel like a toddler when it comes to composition.  And if you’ve been around a toddler as they’re learning to walk you know how diligently they study the laws of gravity and why they have such thick padding on their rumps.  There’s a reason they’re called ‘toddlers.’

I’m always searching for new ways to present the principles of composition in my photography workshops.  And I think I’ve come up with an approach that will get some of the people seeing the world differently, at least that’s the goal.  I like to challenge my workshop attendees to stretch themselves and expand the way they see.

Continue reading “Photography Tutorial–Composition”

(1213)

Principles of Composition – Chaos

“… nature – unadulterated and unimproved by man – is simply chaos.” Edward Weston.

There’s no argument that Edward Weston was one of the finest photographers that ever tripped a shutter.  And one of the aspects of his photography that he is most revered for is his compositions.  He was the absolute master in his studio but when it came to photographing nature he admitted that it was the most difficult of all.  Why?  Because nature is chaos.

Nature is Chaos - Death Valley National Park Nature is Chaos

Continue reading “Principles of Composition – Chaos”

(1843)