Rants & Observations

Composition Photo Workshop by Blue Fier

Originally published to Summitt New Media Updates on 4-14-2008.

I actually studied motion picture film before I ever got around to studying still photography. I say that because one of my all time favorite books on the art of motion picture photography or cinematography is The Five C's of Cinematography. Absolutely the best book ever written on the subject, even today (although there are some who in my opinion don't know a jump cut from a wipe who argue the book is dated). The point of my slight variance off topic is that one of those five C's is composition.

The task of composing a shot (or an image if you will), both in cinema and in still photography, is a skill that can be taught. Fier's book is an excellent method of learning that skill. While the exercises leave something to be desired, the chapters do an excellent job of walking you through the various approaches to composition and its elements. Whereas in cinematography one has a fixed shutter speed and for all effective purposes only work with aperture, in still photography that is not the case and Fier spends two chapters walking you through the ramifications of the decisions you make in these areas.

I especially enjoyed his discussions of the differences in how you work with light when dealing with color versus Black and White. Each of these topics earned and deserved their own chapter.

Probably the weakest part of the book were the chapters dealing with portraits, travel photography, and still-life. To me, these topics need to be addressed in their own books and his too brief discussions were just too rushed. The final chapter on improving your images was, however, right on.

As photographers, each of us can improve our use of composition, no matter our level of prestige in our chosen field of specialty. Fier's book belongs on your book shelf and should be taken down and re-read from time to time. It sits right next to The Five C's of Cinematography on my bookshelf.

posted by Paul @ 3:06 PM