Points (2.1c) - multiple points

Requirement

6 photographs

Purpose

To show how implied lines exist between multiple points, creating a shape or movement

Technical learning

• A group of points implies either a network of lines or a shape
• Grouping objects/ people in an active way is a key factor in producing a successful still life

Project and images

Set up a still life composition on a simple (but not plain) background. Identify 6 to 10 identical, or at least similar, objects. Organise these objects into a shape. Fix the camera firmly in position and aim at the composition. Control the group by re-arrangement. Consider each move and its effect. Shoot 6 images. 

Decided to look as much as possible for points forming shapes that occur without my intervention. This led to the first 5 images below. The 6th image is a still life arranged by me.


Tree stumps in a wood

Several triangles (e.g. front 4 stumps, 
middle plus bottom 2, middle plus 2 in left half).
Outside 5 stumps make a a pentagon. 
4 in top half form a square

London Eye in the mist

Line of pods create a parbola

Anchors on a wall, London Embankment

Outside 4 anchors create a square
4 sets of triangles around anchor in middle 
(top and bottom halves, left and right halves)

Water bowl with flowers

Flowers create a pentagon

Door at entrance to Paternoster Square, London

Rivets in wood form a rectangle

Stone Backgammon Board

Counters on board create an arrow
inside the rows of triangles on either side

Points (2.1b) - relationship between points

Requirement
3 photographs


Purpose
To show how 2 points create a relationship between each other as well as introduce energy into the image


Technical learning

• As with a single point in a frame, a relationship exists bewteen the point(s) and the frame. However, a relationship is also exists between the 2 points themselves.
• The eye is drawn to one and then the other
• This sets up (a) an implied line and direction within the image as well as (b) a vaguely defined space around them
• One of the points usually attracts more attention than the other, where it is (a) bigger, (b) nearer to the foreground or (c) closer to the centre
• Sometimes both points attract equal attention, i.e. where they are the same size, symmetrical to the centre, the same distance from the camera
• Unresolved tension can energise an image, although taken to extremes this can damage the composition.

Project and images

Identify a situaton with 2 points. 

• Produce an image where the points are equal in the frame
• Produce another image where one dominates by size
• Produce a third where one dominates by colour

In the last two photos, identify the point which is stronger and why.


Building site in West End, London

2 points of the same size

Close-up of a hoarding advertsing the construction of an office block, Holborn, London

The bottom point dominates as it occupies
more of the frame 

2 climbers on a rock face

The lower climber attracts the eye slightly more
than his partner because of the
warmer colour of his clothing, red shirt vs
blue one. If, for example,
his back pack would have been yellow, he would
draw the eye even more strongly.

Points (2.1a) - positioning a point

Requirement
6 to 12 photographs


Purpose
To show how points create attention and movement


Technical learning

Points are a fundamental design element

What is a point? 

• A subject becomes a 'point' where it is small in the frame and contrasts with its background (e.g. a boat on a larger expanse of water)

What role does it play? 

• It draws attention to the subject - if it fails to do this (say, if the subject is too large relative to its background), the subject is not, or stops being, a point

How do you position a point in the frame? 

• 3 options: middle, off-centre or near the edge. 
• However, your choice of location must add meaning or impact to the image
• Balance, equilibrium between the elements, is also important 

Project and images

1. Note as many situations of images with points
2. Review own past photographs and note obvious points
3. Shoot 3 images showing examples of points: middle, off centre and close to the edge of the frame.

Stable centred point, divides the frame symetrically
and holds the eye fixed in the middle. Contrast to create
the point comes from difference colour, sharpness and texture

Slightly off centre, forces the eye to explore the edges
of the frame before returning to the point.

Point in upper right part of frame, encourages the eye to
move to the framme edges, back to the subject and then to
repeat this journey. Creates tension.

• consider the relationship the point has in each frame, in terms of movement and division
• movement arises from the relationship between the points and the sides of the frame
• division arises from imaginary lines running through the  point across and down towards the edges of the frame.