Exercise 15: Positioning a point
(3 photographs)
This exercise is straightforward: experimenting with the different positions in which you can place a single point in the frame.
There are essentially three classes of position: in the middle, a little off-centre, and close to the edge. Placing a point in the centre very rarely works, because of the static nature it produces, although this is not a rule and you might justify it on the grounds of being unconventional. What you learnt about balance and proportion in Part one applies here. Use the experience of these earlier projects: when you position a point in the frame, have a reason for placing it where you do.
Now take three photographs in which there is a single point, placed in a different part of the frame in each example. Justify your reasons in a short note under the picture, or with a numbered reference in your learning log
This exercise is straightforward: experimenting with the different positions in which you can place a single point in the frame.
There are essentially three classes of position: in the middle, a little off-centre, and close to the edge. Placing a point in the centre very rarely works, because of the static nature it produces, although this is not a rule and you might justify it on the grounds of being unconventional. What you learnt about balance and proportion in Part one applies here. Use the experience of these earlier projects: when you position a point in the frame, have a reason for placing it where you do.
Now take three photographs in which there is a single point, placed in a different part of the frame in each example. Justify your reasons in a short note under the picture, or with a numbered reference in your learning log
IN THE MIDDLE
My feedback
I really enjoy doing this exercise. I didn't feel it was very difficult to come across points everywhere. The above 5 pictures are a selections of the photographs I took. The point is the most fundamental design element. A single point draws the eye and focuses attention.
Other ideas that came across my mine where: a dog in a field, a person swimming in the sea, a flower and the the moon
The first picture of a person on the beach was my first idea. The placement in the centre emphasize the person being alone in the middle of the beach. Off-course this photograph was implied as the person on the beach was waiting for me taking the photograph.
The second photograph of the mobile phone in the grass was also implied. I was looking for a subject I could place in the middle of the grass and the mobile phone was the only small object with me. I decided to use this object for my exercise. As well I used this mobile and another mobile for the exercise with two points. I was not able to use it for the exercise with multiple points as I could only could get one extra mobile.
The other photographs I took from the light at the wall, birth in the city and candle where not implied. They where all items that where there already when I took the photographs. I try to place the subjects as much as possible in the middle of the frame.
I really enjoy doing this exercise. I didn't feel it was very difficult to come across points everywhere. The above 5 pictures are a selections of the photographs I took. The point is the most fundamental design element. A single point draws the eye and focuses attention.
Other ideas that came across my mine where: a dog in a field, a person swimming in the sea, a flower and the the moon
The first picture of a person on the beach was my first idea. The placement in the centre emphasize the person being alone in the middle of the beach. Off-course this photograph was implied as the person on the beach was waiting for me taking the photograph.
The second photograph of the mobile phone in the grass was also implied. I was looking for a subject I could place in the middle of the grass and the mobile phone was the only small object with me. I decided to use this object for my exercise. As well I used this mobile and another mobile for the exercise with two points. I was not able to use it for the exercise with multiple points as I could only could get one extra mobile.
The other photographs I took from the light at the wall, birth in the city and candle where not implied. They where all items that where there already when I took the photographs. I try to place the subjects as much as possible in the middle of the frame.
A LITTLE OFF THE CENTRE
My feedback
The first two pictures where implied. I placed the person on the beach on the location where I could take the best photograph. Just a little of the centre. The photograph of the flowers was different. They where place on that location by the shipowner and I decide it to move around with the camera so they are a little off the middle. I really like this photograph and see this two flowers together as one point a little of the centre.
The first two pictures where implied. I placed the person on the beach on the location where I could take the best photograph. Just a little of the centre. The photograph of the flowers was different. They where place on that location by the shipowner and I decide it to move around with the camera so they are a little off the middle. I really like this photograph and see this two flowers together as one point a little of the centre.
CLOSE TO THE EDGE
My feedback
The last photograph of the flower I took during my holidays in the Netherlands. I went with my best friend and her daughter to some atraction parc and instead of running around in the parc I decided to work on the project. I always like to take photographs of flowers and this photograph I love the most I shoot that day. It is close in the edge and still nice to look at the complete picture.
The last photograph of the flower I took during my holidays in the Netherlands. I went with my best friend and her daughter to some atraction parc and instead of running around in the parc I decided to work on the project. I always like to take photographs of flowers and this photograph I love the most I shoot that day. It is close in the edge and still nice to look at the complete picture.
With these pictures, and with those you selected from your photo library, consider the graphic relationship that the points have with the frame.
There are two important relations, to do with movement and division. The sense of movement - a slight one - is created by drawing attention towards the point from the sides. The strength of this sense of movement is in proportion to the distance from each side.
The division is easier to see if you make a sketch of the position of the point, and then draw a line vertically and a line horizontally through this. The point implies a division, as in the exercise: Positioning the horizon. The idea of things being implied in composition is an important one, and you will see it at work throughout this part of the course.
There are two important relations, to do with movement and division. The sense of movement - a slight one - is created by drawing attention towards the point from the sides. The strength of this sense of movement is in proportion to the distance from each side.
The division is easier to see if you make a sketch of the position of the point, and then draw a line vertically and a line horizontally through this. The point implies a division, as in the exercise: Positioning the horizon. The idea of things being implied in composition is an important one, and you will see it at work throughout this part of the course.
My Feedback
I first changed some photographs in black and white. After this I draw an horizontal and vertical line through it. Now I have an better view about the photograph and the point of view.
I just release that the photograph of the flower in black and white and with the line through it, is not so far in the edge as it looks like in the colour picture. I was really suprised about this.
I first changed some photographs in black and white. After this I draw an horizontal and vertical line through it. Now I have an better view about the photograph and the point of view.
I just release that the photograph of the flower in black and white and with the line through it, is not so far in the edge as it looks like in the colour picture. I was really suprised about this.