Concepts of COMPOSITION ; Dynamic Symmetry

[Preacherman]

There are many who would challenge the scientific principles of composing an image according to scientific rules in favour of the rule "There are no rules", and to an extent I am one. Far be it for rules to stifle artistic license, but if it will help us to get out of taking snapshots and encourage us to become second nature in creating the shot with impact, then it can't be all bad. Dynamic Symmetry (like the Rule of Thirds) is a way of organising the focus of interest, and might be used when actually taking the shot, or, as in this example of mine, for cropping an image. See the difference.

Before:



After:



"The significant difference between photography and other art forms is it's unique ability to record simply, and in unbiased detail, something that is there." (Unknown)

[Majik_Imaje]

Ansel Adams said: There are no rules for good photography There are only good photographs.

I suggest you STUDY- the best photographs of 2008 from National Geographic and see exactly what they each have in common !!

The best way to learn proper composition - is to constantly study professional photographers published works !!

You will notice - what they ALL have in common! The focus point is at or near the exact center of the frame !!!!!! FORGET RULES - they are all meaningless. GOOD PHOTOGRAPHS have impact !!

Epson - makers of the worlds finest color printers - hired 31 of the best professional photographers for their outstanding accomplishments to use their images for displaying Epson quality which is the leading ink technology in the world today.

STUDY - 31 OF THE best of the best photographers in the world. Their web sites - the software they use- tricks - tips - frm the best of the best

This is the # 1 method I have chosen to teach composition for 40 years. This method works - It will improve your skills dramatically - STUDY !!

NOTICE: the first artist - she won the prestigeous golden eye award that has only been awarded ten times in the past !! Spend time studying profesional advice and images - !! your gonna learn LOTS !!

ENJOY !! have fun and LEARN lots !!

[Heaterguy]

This is an excellent article you have written and very timely. I have a friend that is so hung up on the "rule of thirds" that he cannot produce a photograph to his pleasing. Only yesterday I was telling him that "there are no rules".
I am going to forward your article to him.

[SoxAddict]

Nicely and simply demonstrated Paul. Rules are out there for the breaking for sure. It's good to subjectively consider each potential shot or finished product - one rule isn't for all!

[dvetter]

Paul love the insight and the demonstration, I do prefer the 2nd shot but I also believe the rules have to be broken some times. I have always shot keeping my focus to the center of the frame, while this does not always work. I do as Majik reflected, I study professional photographers published works !! This is a very good topic to bring up and this is the kind of post DPS is all about. Keep up the good work Paul.

[Preacherman]

Originally Posted by Majik_Imaje

Ansel Adams said: There are no rules for good photography There are only good photographs.

I suggest you STUDY- the best photographs of 2008 from National Geographic and see exactly what they each have in common !!

The best way to learn proper composition - is to constantly study professional photographers published works !!

You will notice - what they ALL have in common! The focus point is at or near the exact center of the frame !!!!!! FORGET RULES - they are all meaningless. GOOD PHOTOGRAPHS have impact !!

Epson - makers of the worlds finest color printers - hired 31 of the best professional photographers for their outstanding accomplishments to use their images for displaying Epson quality which is the leading ink technology in the world today.

STUDY - 31 OF THE best of the best photographers in the world. Their web sites - the software they use- tricks - tips - frm the best of the best

This is the # 1 method I have chosen to teach composition for 40 years. This method works - It will improve your skills dramatically - STUDY !!

NOTICE: the first artist - she won the prestigeous golden eye award that has only been awarded ten times in the past !! Spend time studying profesional advice and images - !! your gonna learn LOTS !!

ENJOY !! have fun and LEARN lots !!

Hi Majic. Thanks for your informed response, all of which I agree with and much of which I have already researched. You will see, if you follow my posts, is that what I am doing is PROGRESSING SLOWLY towards and through all the various opinions and theory's for the benefit of new people like myself who are not up there with the rest of you yet. If my posts stimulate similar responses to yours I will be happy AS LONG AS PEOPLE READ ALL YOUR REFERENCES. Some are not so academic, so my simple progressive steps might help. I hope so. Thanks again Majic. PAUL
PS Hope you read the part "Far be it for rules to stifle artistic license..... etc."

[Hayward Taylor]

Hi Paul - excellent demostration ...

[Fred flyfisher]

Great demonstration of a basic concept Paul. Love the ensuing conversation as well. Keep it up Bro, it's working!

[jennie]

Hi Paul..I believe that rules keep things in order.. Newbie that I am, I think I need to cover the basics first before I embark to much higher endeavor..That said, I also believe that rules should not impede the artist in each one of us..Rules should not be stagnant..it should be dynamic..and I am all for taking risk..

thank you for this thread..truly informative..

[Preacherman]

Originally Posted by Heaterguy

This is an excellent article you have written and very timely. I have a friend that is so hung up on the "rule of thirds" that he cannot produce a photograph to his pleasing. Only yesterday I was telling him that "there are no rules".
I am going to forward your article to him.

Hi HG. Tell him rules are OK provided you bend them to your satisfaction, and once you have no further use for them and they have outlived their usefulness, ditch them in favour of making your own. The ultimate stage is to enjoy the freedom of individual creativity which some lucky so-and-so's are born with, but others, like me, have to work on. Good luck. PAUL

Originally Posted by SoxAddict

Nicely and simply demonstrated Paul. Rules are out there for the breaking for sure. It's good to subjectively consider each potential shot or finished product - one rule isn't for all!

Imagine a world Nicky where no-one broke any rules. Boring. And the worst rule breakers of all are bikers. Thanks for that Nicky. I need your type of motivation. PAUL

Originally Posted by dvetter

Paul love the insight and the demonstration, I do prefer the 2nd shot but I also believe the rules have to be broken some times. I have always shot keeping my focus to the center of the frame, while this does not always work. I do as Majik reflected, I study professional photographers published works !! This is a very good topic to bring up and this is the kind of post DPS is all about. Keep up the good work Paul.

Thanks Duane. I too believe that there is no point re-inventing the wheel. Copy others. Individuality determines that you will not become a clone. The genes will make sure of that. Loved the Amish thread BTW. Thanks my friend. PAUL