Compositon Part I

Lets me speak briefly about why we like photographs. Ever heard of the phrase we eat with our eyes first? This is because we see so vividly and in three dimensions we are graced with the ability to see all colors. Feeling things, smelling, tasting, all the senses invoke emotion!

What is  easy for our eyes to follow pleases us. Taught very early on, was how to lead the eye in and out of a photograph. If the eye floats into an image and out seamlessly we then pick up quickly what the image means to us or what the photographer’s message clearly is.

For instance, ever seen an image that is in black and white with a subject showing lots of emotion? Did you enjoy the photograph? The emotion is there, it’s a clean image, a clear image and we do not have the color taking away or leading our eyes all over the place. Our eyes are then focused mainly on the subject’s emotion, grasping our attention to stay there! I love the overwhelming emotions I tend to capture when I have a bride and groom in front of me, alone and away from the excitement of the day. A few brief moments allowing them to take in the fact that they are now husband and wife as I talk to them, I remind them that it is truly a wonderful time. As they look at one another, they go into a private moment that only they share and the reason for their love, that’s when I quiet down and take my shots. Above all, I love this  the most about photographing weddings.

We want to communicate with the world through images. We, I assume if you have been keeping up with my blog, do enjoy photography and want our voices heard, simply in photographs.

Here is some good reading on the symbolism and meaning of colors. Knowing what they mean we can use color better in our images. We can understand color settings, lighting and things like white balance.

http://www.sensationalcolor.com/color-meaning-symbolism-and-psychology/

Rule of Thirds

If you have ever read anything on “how to make good images” most likely you have come across the term The Rule of Thirds.

This means to imagine the image broken down into vertical and horizontal thirds, so you then have 9 sections and critical points of interest.

This rule however doesn’t dictate that your photos will or will not be good. It’s simply a rule to help you understand how the message we want to imply to the viewer will be understood and to train your mind to always think when you compose an image.

The sections that cross are a recommendation of where to place your subject in order for the eye to be easily balanced. Studies have shown that most view a photograph at these specific locations and not necessarily in the center.

It is a humbling experience to be able to show you some of my earlier work, the struggles I went through during the learning process. I feel though, if you are able to see that not all photographers are awesome or even good the second they receive a camera that it might encourage you to keep learning and practicing.

 The very first wedding I ever photographed I was so nervous that in order to practice I offered the bride and groom a free bridal session at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

As I look back on this image. I see so many errors, things I should have done.  Although a little embarrassing, I am truly happy. I know I have honed my skills and that I am able to use this imaged to teach.

We see the bride in a lovely moment. She is having fun being able to wear that gorgeous dress in public and get attention. To be honest, I was enjoying the attention too. It was the first time I felt like a professional photographer. Here she is in the, rule of thirds portion. She is placed in the right side of the photograph allowing all the other beautiful elements to lead your eye out to the left, using the veil. If she had been placed directly in the middle it would have lost a lot of power. Her body leads you in with the direction of her eyes and floats you out.

I will be gathering more images to show you the power of The Rule of Thirds. I hope this section on composition will give you more power of the voice you express into images. Thank you all for reading.

Shutter Speed 1/500
Aperture f4.5
ISO 400
White Balance: unkown
Mode on Camera: P Mod
*This was all the informaiton I could get off the EXIF data.