In my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the planet, and in my online class with the PPSOP, I teach fellow photographers how to incorporate the elements of Visual Design and composition into their imagery. Negative Space, Vanishing Point, Perspective, Tension, form, Shape, Pattern, Texture, Light, and Color are all permanently affixed to their new ‘Artist Palette’ when they complete the four week class or my one week workshops.
The color red, the word “indifference, and the use of shadows.
Several months ago I started a part II class where we continue on with more ways to take their photos what I refer to as, “Up a Notch”. We spend the first week just working on Line, since it’s the most important of all the basic elements of Visual Design. You see, nothing would exist without Line, planes, trains, automobiles and even people all have an “outLine”.
Also in my part II class we work on the Silhouette, and Shadows (Shadows are your best friend). Part II is when participants really start stretching their frame of mind through a series of assignments. In the photo of the two young girls, Stephanie was given the color red and the word “indifference” to use in a single photo. It’s a wonderful example of what the title to my class is all about. Not only does this photo contain several elements from her ‘Artist Palette’ from my part I class, and a great solution to the part II lesson at hand, but it’s also a perfect example of how shadows can make a huge difference in our photography. it’s certainly a benchmark for classes to come!!!
The following is a slideshow from my part II class. A first class collection of Lines, Silhouettes, Shadows, and all the elements they all brought with them from my part I course.
Enjoy!!!
Visit my workshop at: www.joebaraban.com and be sure to check out my 2013 workshop schedule. Come shoot with me sometime.
Don’t forget to send me a question and photo to: AskJoeB@gmail.com.
JoeB
Hi Joe! I was wondering why you never seem to talk about establishing figure to ground relationship in photographs? i have learned that this is one of the fundamental artistic techniques photographers use in establishing your subject. Also the use of diagonals (believe they are technically called baroque and sinister diagonals) is also a very powerful technique in trying organize a shot. Much the same way placing a dominant eye right smack in the center of a frame is a powerful artistic tool.
Gary,
Actually, I teach all of these things in my online class with the PPSOP. In my part II course, we spend a week just working on line, since it’s the most important of all the elements of visual design. I talk about (and my students shoot) all the different kinds of lines, but the three basic are: Vertical, Horizontal, and Diagonal. Diagonals have the most energy since it’s the anticipation of them falling forward.
Starting Feb.8th, I’ll be teaching a third class on the six principles of Gestalt, and how they can take our imagery to another level. One of the six principles we’ll work on is “figure Ground”.
Take my classes sometime!!!
In the future, I’ll probably write some posts on these things, but the info will be too much for just one.
JoeB
I’m not sure what you mean by a “dominant eye”?????
Oh one more thing! It looks like the man with the big cartoon top hat and sunglasses was at the Santa Monica Pier! Great place to do some nice street photography! Lol
I think you’re right!!!
JoeB
Hey Joe! The dominant eye is the one looking right at you andklooobbbfff
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?????? Where’s the other eye looking????
Btw, what language is the last part of your message in?
JoeB
Dominant eye would be the one closet to lens in a 2/3 facial pose.
Gary,
I’ve never heard that expression before??????
JoeB
Lol my 4 year old nephew thought it would be fun to mess with my IPad when I was away for a little bit!
And was it?
JoeB