A sequence of composition (1.1c)

Requirement

20 - 30 photographs

Purpose

To practice composing an image from the moment you first spot a potential image until the final best image

Technical learning

Develop your eye by practice and review of decision-making on composition

Exercise instructions

Pick a situation which involves people, perhaps in a street, parade or market. Use the viewfinder to identify t possible pictures.  Take pictures as you go  This will show how you moved around to find the best image

Images and Review

Trafalgar Square in London is a magnet for sightseers and street entertainers, especially in the summer. So, I went there on the way home one afternoon at the end of August, Canon compact camera in hand, to see what I could see through its viewfinder.

A scene setting shot of the Square, taken from the balcony of the National Gallery (sharp elbows needed). Used  a vertical frame to  capture the almost unnatural height of Nelson's column. The triangular shape of the space leading up to the column adds some depth. The random movement of people conveys the to-and-fro of its many visitors. 

Picking a brighter day would have brought out the colours and contrasts of people against buildings

Soon after 4 break dancers turned up below the balcony. Having attracted a crowd, I shot the opening of their show. The crowd acts as a partial frame to hold attention on the 4 dancers.

A slightly closer crop to exclude the space behind the crowd at the top of the frame would have made a more effective image.

The show gets under way. A fair shot of a more interesting move. Placement of the dancer bottom left creates some tension.

Nevertheless, the feet top left are a distraction: either leave them out or better include more of the standing crowd. Also, the move was more spectacular than a top down shot can capture.

Improves on its predecessor.

However, a little more of the crowd would have been even better.

Time to leave the balcony to capture the crowd appearing to watch the crowd (except of course they are looking at the dancers)

Moving to the left of this scene, 2 isolated spectators. Father and son perhaps.

A vertical frame would have been much more effective - too much grey space in the right half.

Fortunately the horizontal shot allows a vertical crop to prove the point

A couple from the balcony framed by the pillars supporting the facade of the National Gallery.

Shooting directly head on would have improved the balance.

Moving towards to centre of the square. One of the Olympic countdown displays. Interesting shape. Used more as a bench to rest weary legs.

Bad error - cut off top of display.

Close up to the column to get a sense of its great height. That works.

Even so, where has Nelson gone? His absence weakens the shot. A better comprise might exist by moving back from the column to capture some of the detail of Nelson's statue.

A close-up of the engraving on one side of the plinth of the column. The excellent composition of the scene around the cannon is the statue makers not mine!

Eager parents using the lions as a prop for photos of their children. Shooting behind mother was an effective viewpoint.

Nevertheless, the background building is too larger and detracts from the images impact.

A statue overlooking one of the famous fountains. Yes, movement in showing the jets of water across the image. 

But, frankly the photo is dull. An unorthodox angle of view might increase interest

A little girl watches a man playing a clarinet. Nice contrast between the musician and the child, including the implied line of her gaze.

However, this image could have been so much better composed by moving closer to the scene and shooting downwards over the head of the musician

I turned the frame from vertical to horizontal, just to see the impact, and, as I moved closer, the musician looked up at me. Instinctively I triggered the shutter. I like the result. It holds the attention.

This girl's turquoise head scarf caught my eye amongst the grey of the flagstones. The vertical lines of the steps give contrast to the triangle of her form.

A busy artist works on several masterpieces in front of a crowd. Orange is a colour you cannot miss!

Moving in closer to focus on him at work

Charlie Chaplin was using his eyes and facial expression to communicate to a mother dithering over the portrait with her children. Not sure quite what this facial expression means.

Now we are ready...smile please. Hey, the kids are not paying attention, except for the little one in his arms!

Would have been cleaner without the child in the foreground

A contortionist starts his show. Nice triangle, thank you. 


Zooming closer would have had more impact. (Find the zoom on the compact hard to control as tightly as I would like). As would leaving out the red basket, which distracts from the subject

Too close, now - image just does not work

Thanks for moving the red basket.


Slightly closer would increase impact. 

That's about right for distance


Image looks unbalanced. Really needs subject in the centre with audience above him.

Enthralled spectators.


Shame they are slightly out of focus

I like the buttons on your waistcoat Mr Washington.

The golden android awaits his admiring crowd...

Interest starts to increase...

Now for his first visitor...

The secret language that only the very young understand

Who put all those coins into his bowl? I reckon he put in most to encourage passers by to be more generous.

Further learning

• Pull in closer to the subject when the background lacks any relevant or interesting features
• Be alert to distracting features at the edge of the frame, be ruthless in removing them
• Be patience in waiting for a significant moment