Attached Link: Composition Theory Draft - First Page.

As some members here know it, I like to add some composition tricks in the comments related to my pictures.

I receive more and more questions concerning composition. So I've started a new challenge for me: a new tutorial. My goal is to give a list of (really) useful advices about composition and especially composition in glamour/portrait photography.

It's true that you can already find a lot of articles around the internet about the subject. But I want (first) to make something useful and that relies on practice.  It will look like more student notes than a theory book.

The tutorial will be available as a PDF file and later as part of my website.

You can find the first page here

I need your help for reading / checking my prose (I'm not a native English speaker) and of course questions, advices are always useful.

And the most important, will you find it useful ?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Peace.

Aegy

So far, this is clear and the language is fine.   Will you plan to use some photos of models as examples of both good and poor composition?

The transition from rules of thumb (such as thirds) to actual photo shoots would be very helpful.

I have written one tutorial and agonized over it and revised a lot.  I wish you well in the writing and composition of the tutorial.  I will be greatly interested in your views and believe other will also.         Tom.

First  thanks for your reply.

Of course, I will show ( using some of my previous pictures ) how I use the "rules" before I take the picture. I will try to give some good explanations about  " how to compose your image in your camera viewfinder " because, again, theory without good practice is useless.

I will try to make short  chapters so you can use them as references "on the fly".
A short explanation, one or two examples and some "tips".

Peace.

Aegy

You want to delve into dynamic symmetry? Rectangles of whirling squares? Gnomons? Phi?
Wow. That's great. I didn't think anyone would be interested in that anymore.

Long time ago, I bought a cardboard box with books because there was one I was interested in.
But another one proved to be more valuable: a Dover publication by Jay Hambidge called: "The elements of dynamic symmetry".

If you haven't got it: get it.

There are other laws of composition also. Things like the Barock diagonal, creating tension with zigzags, tondo's leading the eye with lines, masses, colours,...and the most basic one: "Unity within diversity, and diversity within unity". Creating a stasis, ready to start moving, living.

This can become a very interesting thread.

If I may say so: also have a look at the two books on drawing lessons and painting lessons by the great masters by Robert Beverly Hale. As a photographer, you're also busy with visual art, and Hale was one of the greatest teachers ever. (my everything but humble opinion). Sop never mind it's on drawing and painting. Everything he tells is useful.

Tenchelyn,  yes, the thread could become quite interesting. Yet, I must go back to what was said in the first post:

"My goal is to give a list of (really) useful advices about composition and especially composition in glamour/portrait photography"

While the laws of composition would be great fodder for a thread, I suspect a tutorial of such would of necessity become a book.   A good tut in itself is a daunting task, and task enough.

There are many methods of teaching and of catching and maintaining interest in the subject. Of course, the end should be to enlighten, assist and improve the vision of the reader/student.

My method is simple: Illustrate everything possible with situations such as a photo shoot with which the reader may identify.   Bring the way you do it to them (to us) in a workable form we may try and utalise.

Aegipan, again best wishes on this task. I fully believe you will write and illustrate a tut we will find very useful and interesting.  To simply convey the method behind your eye and technique  will be enough for many.  I suspect much of your work now is the eye seeing composition as it does for your fine images.  Can you back up enough to see how your eye developed that view?  I personally look forward to the tutorial.  Your thought of planning, photo and tips should work well.

I believe the mods here will graciously review the tut in various stages and a few of the rest of us would be willing to do the same in a more private viewing.        Tom.

Attached Link: Updated excerpt

I've spent more than 15 years in a Fine-Art School. I've started "mastering" photography about 4 years ago. And I find useful to give some basic notes about composition because it easily improves the impact of a picture. And also, it gives a way "to think". Think, compose and shoot.

Of course, I don't want to go too deep into explanations because a lot of rules of composition can't be directly applied to photography (due to the lack of time and the need to "shoot" at the right moment too). I want to give a useful tool (and not only for the members here and I must confess that  I will use it as a reminder too, for my personal use.). A tool that will help you to make the good decisions.  (In case of emergency, break the glass).

And as I've already said, I will essentially give advices concerning portrait/glamour photography (first, perhaps later I will enlarge the subject to other styles of photography).

Up to now, a PDF document of 2 pages can be downloaded, the first page is about theory and the second page shows an "live" example.

Feedback is welcome.

Thanks,

Aegy

Aegy, I found the page 2 photo illustration and text very easily understood.  That is the sort of  "at the scene" instruction I personally fine most meaningful and easily grasped.  Also, the tips about choosing the model are excellent inclusions.

Aegy, I am viewing your progress as a student.  I certainly do not have the fine arts education you have or perhaps the intellectual pursuits of Tanchelyn.  This means my comments will be from the learning perspective, how at least one student sees the tut useful. 

I also have to check out some of the intriquing rules of composition mentioned in the post by Tanchelyn.

 Now, it is time to watch my favorite ladies basketball team in the playofffs..Tennessee Lady Vols.   Best wishes.           Tom.

So far, it's well written and concise. The most difficult thing in writing tutorials is finding the balance between too much and too little info..So far you seem to be doing well.

I am also following this, I need some help understanding compositions even if I am a still life photo taker.
thanks for this tread and appreciate your work on it.

seeya  Tunde

Attached Link: New Excerpt - Composition Tutorial

Just to inform you that I've uploaded a new excerpt of my (future) tutorial : here ( pdf file <300 Ko)
note: this excerpt  is not yet "coherent". Its purposes is only to show the general layout of the tutorial.

So I will divide each "chapter" into 2 parts.

The first part will be a brief explanation of a specific composition rule. (theory with a touch of how to use it in real life) and the second one will be a "clear" example of the rule involved in the first part with some advices.

Each chapter will available as a separate pdf file for easier "manipulations".

As soon as possible, I will upload my table of content. And as always feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for support and reading.

Peace.

Aegy

Aegy, on the "rule of constrasts" page you say: "...if the contrast is strong it will works. And you've caught the viewer's attention without he didn't notice anything."

In English, at least American English, this will be better understood as: ..if the contrast is stong it will work(singlular word).  ..caught the viewer's attention without him noticing anything.

You did ask for possible language corrections.  I know we align words differently for the same  meaning.  The meaning is clear in your version but what I have said is more accurate to English.

In truth, your tut is already very helpful and well done.   Tom.

Re.,

Yes thanks for the correction.
The file has been corrected and uploaded again.
I must check more carefully what I have already written.

Corrections and comments are greatly appreciated and thanks for your time.

Peace,

Aegy

;o)

like you Aegy, more than 15years in Fine Art School, archeology and History of Art has followed lol So i've eated a lot of compo theory ;o) lol it was hard sometimes lol

It's really a good idea to create this tuto !!! One thing you should consider is to explain pro and cons of a compo, and explain when to use one or another because of the message you would like to give in your pic ...
May be the compo you can do with or without colours too !

what you think ?

Seeya and continue the good work :o)

Olivier