Basics Photography 01: Composition (Basics Photography 1)

Second to lighting, composition is the key ingredient for the creation of a successful photograph. Whatever other technical skill is involved, if the formal organization of an image is lacking, there is little to hold the interest of the viewer. But what makes a winning composition? Is it about following the rules-or about breaking them? Basics Composition is divided into six core chapters that cover everything the beginner needs to know to improve their composition, including the basics of composition, exploring the formal elements, how to organize space and time, learning the real world 'rules' and, beyond that, how to use the ideas presented in the book to create original, compelling images. The book is illustrated throughout with photography to inform the mind and inspire the eyes. Includes work Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, James Nachtwey, Martin Parr, Marc Riboud, David Hockney, Duane Michals, Harry Callahan and John Darwell, and many more. Includes the following The basic rules of composition, including viewpoint, perspective and scale; the formal elements, such as point, line, shape, form, texture, pattern, tone and color; how to organize space using frames, balance and space; capturing the passing of time and specific moments, the decisive moment and sequences; applications of composition, featuring landscape, still life, portraiture, documentary, the figure, action and sports, fine art and advertising; finally, finding your own view and the specific considerations of digital imaging. Title Pages......Page 2 Copyright......Page 3 Contents......Page 5 How to get the most out of this book......Page 7 Introduction......Page 9 Basics......Page 11 The case for composition......Page 13 The rules......Page 20 Viewpoint......Page 27 Perspective......Page 29 Scale......Page 36 Formal elements......Page 37 Point......Page 39 Line......Page 45 Shape......Page 55 Form......Page 61 Texture......Page 68 Pattern......Page 74 Tone......Page 75 Colour......Page 81 Organising space......Page 93 Frames......Page 95 Balance......Page 114 Appearance of space......Page 120 Organising time......Page 125 Time passing......Page 128 Moments......Page 129 The decisive moment......Page 132 Sequences......Page 133 Application......Page 135 Landscape......Page 138 Still life......Page 139 Potrait......Page 141 Documentary......Page 144 Figure......Page 145 Action/Sports......Page 148 Fine art......Page 150 Advertising......Page 151 Originality......Page 153 Developing your own view......Page 156 Contrasts......Page 161 Imbalance......Page 163 Cropping......Page 166 Colour......Page 167 Digital imaging......Page 169 Conclusion......Page 173 Contacts......Page 174 Glossary......Page 175 Acknowledgements and credits......Page 177 Back Cover......Page 178 Suitable for both photography and design students, this work provides the reader with a comprehensive reference tool divided into six sections which focus on the basics, formal elements, organisation of space and time, real world rules and original approaches to composition. Comprising a collection of titles underpinning the fundamental elements of photography, this series is aimed at both photography and design students, providing the reader with a comprehensive reference tool