Projects

Reflections provide a great opportunity for creating images. Most reflection shots will be from either glass or water.Glass: Reflections on glass will be found mostly in buildings. So, these types of shots will be located primarily in cities or suburban areas. Focusing can become an issue with reflections on glass. The issue is whether the image is all about the reflection or about a subject that can be seen through the window with the reflection simply superimposed over the subject. Thus, special care must be taken to ensure that the camera is focusing on the proper object.  Water: Photographing water reflections is a lot of fun. These types of opportunities often result in abstract images with the reflection providing a rather distorted...

Chiaroscuro is a style of image that is specifically designed to create a dramatic modeling of a subject through the combination of high contrast and low key.High Contrast: The light is positioned such that only certain parts of the subject are illuminated. The rest of the image falls quickly into shadow. Specifically, the center of interest is illuminated; the rest of the image is not. This does four things. First, it draws attention to the center of interest. Second, it removes any distracting detail from the rest of the image. Third, it tends to create a feeling of depth in an image. Fourth, it creates a very dramatic image because of the high tonal contrast.  Low Key: Low key means that the majority of the image is composed of dark...

This technique involves creating an image where the center of interest is in colour. Everything else is in black and white. The goal of this technique is to focus the attention on the center of interest.This technique is done in an image editing program such as Photoshop. There are a number of ways that the technique can be carried out. One way that works well is as follows.  1. Open the image in the image editing program. The original image will be placed on the Background layer. 2. Create a second layer above the Background layer. Fill this layer with neutral gray. Name this the Gray layer. 3. Create a selection that selects everything except the center of interest. Use this selection to create a mask on the Gray layer that hides the center of...

Placing a frame around the center of interest of an image can be a very effective way of improving an image. The frame serves to help define the center of interest, add depth to an image, and lead the viewer’s eye.Define: When used properly, the frame provides details that help to define the center of interest. Essentially, the frame puts the center of interest into context by showing some of the environment in which the center of interest exists. Depth: The frame provides a foreground that adds depth to an image. Lead: The frame also serves to lead the viewer’s eye to the center of interest. The frame essentially focuses the attention. Photography Project: Capture a number of images using...

It is not always desirable to create harmonious images. In fact, it is sometimes desired to deliberately create tension in an image. There are many ways that tension can be created. Three of the most popular are: curves, tonal contrast, and unequal visual weight.Curves: One of the most effective ways to create tension is through the use of curves. Curves create tension by causing the viewer’s attention to constantly jump from one part of an image to another — never resting at any one point in an image. One way that curves can achieve this end is to have two or more diagonal curves that point in different directions. The viewer’s eyes will first follow one diagonal, then, the other. Another way to create tension with curves is to use...

Often, photographers seek to create images that are balanced. In this sense, a balanced image is one that is harmonious. It tends to create a comfortable feeling. Now, there are many ways to create balance in an image. Three ways that we will look at are composition, colour, and tonal contrast. Composition: For balanced images, the goal is to create images where the images do not have any unusual, visual weights. In other words, no one part of an image feels visually heavier than any other part. There are a couple of ways to do this. One way is to create symmetrical images. These images look similar on the left and right sides (or on the top and bottom). Since the sides are so similar, they have equal visual weights. Another way is to follow a rule of...