In my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the planet, 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’ I use to teach in my online classes. Unfortunately, the founder passe away and the school closed.
I spend extra time 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”.
In my workshops. we also spend time on Silhouettes, and Shadows (Shadows are your best friend). 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 is all about. Not only does this photo contain several elements from her ‘Artist Palette’, it’s also a perfect example of how shadows can make a huge difference in our photography. it’s certainly a benchmark for workshops to come!!!
The following is a slideshow from one of my workshops. A first class collection of Lines, Silhouettes, Shadows, and all the elements tof visual Design they all brought with them.
Enjoy!!!
Visit my workshop at: www.joebaraban.com and follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/barabanjoe. Check out any up and coming workshops. Come shoot with me sometime.
JoeB
Gary Thursby
31 Jan 2013Hi 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.
Joe
1 Feb 2013Gary,
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”?????
Gary Thursby
31 Jan 2013Oh 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
Joe
1 Feb 2013I think you’re right!!!
JoeB
Gary Thursby
2 Feb 2013Hey Joe! The dominant eye is the one looking right at you andklooobbbfff
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Joe
2 Feb 2013?????? Where’s the other eye looking????
Btw, what language is the last part of your message in?
JoeB
Gary Thursby
2 Feb 2013Dominant eye would be the one closet to lens in a 2/3 facial pose.
Joe
2 Feb 2013Gary,
I’ve never heard that expression before??????
JoeB
Gary Thursby
2 Feb 2013Lol my 4 year old nephew thought it would be fun to mess with my IPad when I was away for a little bit!
Joe
3 Feb 2013And was it?
JoeB