It's our "rule breaking" week where we explore
"Centered Composition". Often called Bull's Eye Composition, Centered Composition is generally considered too static and a taboo technique. However, a centered subject can be very arresting and dominate the composition.
Here is a shot taken by Peeperita:
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So, take a picture where the main subject is dead center.
As always, rules:
Please note the change in closing time as well as the size limit.
Just a note to new posters: DO NOT start a new thread for your post. Please just hit the reply button at the bottom of any current post and put your image there.
1. Your original image you submit should be taken between the 20th of January and the 3rd of February. Each week as an assignment closes on the Wednesday, it will be AUTOMATICALLY deemed *CLOSED* after 8am GMT ( 3am EST) and any posts after that time will not be eligible for the assignment competition.
Don't wait until the last minute to post!
2. Your post must include
"Assignment: Centered Composition" (to show your permission to count it for the contest) and
the date the picture was taken (to show that it is a valid entry)
.
3. EXIF data should be intact. It helps if you can include the main points (including camera, lens, date taken, ISO, shutter speed and aperture) in the text of your message.
4. Only one entry per member (if you can't restrain yourself until the end of the first week you can post two or three separate pictures but your entry should be in a separate post and the only marked with the text above). It must be an original image taken by you.
5. Remember the cross-site image size limit (
740px on the longest side).
6. If the image does not exist in post at the end of the contest, it is disqualified. If you modify anything on flickr and re-save the image then the link is broken and the message needs edited to link the picture again before it will be included in the contest.
For everyone, please do not repeat other people's photos by quoting them until the contest is over. If you want to comment on or discuss an entry you can use a link to it (or just delete the picture from the quoted text).
7. If you are looking for the winners of the mini-contest, please check the front page of the
DPS blog Saturday late afternoon (EST) and
here.
We are going to start a month of
Food Photography. This might be particularly appealing to those of you shut in by winter weather and to those of you doing 365s. This coming week we start with the best part of a meal,
Desserts. Some suggestions: Try looking at magazines and in cookbooks for ideas. Notice the lighting. Natural lighting is wonderful for food photography. That's why you always try for a table by the window in a restaurant (and drive your dining companions crazy by shooting all the courses, LOL). The last thing you want is an image with an unappealing blue cast to it.
Consider the depth of field. Do you want something shallow to pinpoint one area or do you want the entire scene to be in focus?
Are you going to go in close or pull away and include some of the area around your subject. What can you include with your food item that makes it more interesting?
What point of view will you use? Straight down, off to the side, through a window, etc., just try different angles.
Think about what you want to say. This is homemade and comfort, this is sumptuous and elegant, this rich and flavorful?
Make me want to eat that food! If this was in a cookbook, would I want to make it? If it was an ad in a magazine, would I want to buy it?
Since Food Photography is such a huge subject, here are some resources for you:
Food Photography – An Introduction- good tips from Darren
Big and Tasty Food Photography Tips Roundup - great roundup of tutorials and videos. And if you watch the videos, you'll know why you should scream at your food
