Project 12, Month 10, Shapes & Forms

Shape is a 2-dimensional element while Form is viewed as a 3-dimensional object.

A shape is a space outlined by elements such as lines, color, and value.  It may be an actual solid object (such as a traffic sign) or may be more of a perceived shape (such as a group of people arranged in a circle).

"In the two dimensional world, there are three simple geometric shapes. [ circle, rectangle, and triangle]. ... Shape is to form as a square is to a cube.  In the three dimensional world, the basic geometric forms are cube, sphere, pyramid, cylinder and cones."  (Aamir Shahzed )

"Forms are defined by their lines, shapes, and volume ... Photographing form can be capturing an overall contour of a three-dimensional object - say, a flower - or composing an image from an unusual perspective and capturing its shape in an abstract way." (Juergen Roth)


Things to consider:

• Everything has a shape of some kind.  It may be one simple geometric shape or it may be a combination of the basic shapes.  It may be an actual solid object or an implied/abstract shape or form.
• Repeated shapes make a pattern. 
• A silhouette is a shape whether it's of a person, a cat, a tree, or a street sign.  
• Camera angle/position is important. An element viewed from the side will usually have a different shape and form than when viewed from the front.
• Use of light and shadow is very important when photographing a form. Side light usually works best to add shadows and depth.

Suggested Readings and Examples:

1. Discovering Form in Photography by Juergen Roth at Apogee Photo
2. Use of Structures in Photo Composition by Kim Rormark at Digital Photography Tips Online; very short article 
3. Advanced Composition: Using Geometry by Christina N. Dickson at Digital Photography School; well illustrated article
4. Use a triangle as a composition technique by Jim Harmer at Improve Photography; tip # 9
5. Photography Composition: The Golden Triangle Rule by Mira Crisp at Crisp Photoworks; well illustrated article
6. Shape and Form in Composition by Aamir Shahzed at Picture Social; illustrated short article
7. Capturing Shapes and Patterns in Outdoor Photos by Layne Kennedy at Photoguide; 90 second YouTube video
8. Emphasize Shape and Form in Macro Photography by Thomas Clark at Dummies.com Macro & Close-up Photography; a short illustrated article
9. Form, Shape and Space by Charlotte Jirousek at Cornell University from the Art, Design, and Visual Thinking course;
10. Shape and Form, Reflections, and Combining Multiple Elements by Andy Long at First Light; 5 paragraphs on Shape and Form
11. Elements of Design Shape & Form 1 by CanadaDadProduction; a 1:49 minute YouTube video
12. Image composition, stable, instable, diagonal, powerful and spiral composition at artmediaphotography.com; more illustrations than words; uses art to show compositional elements - look for square, triangle, circle, and spiral.  (Tip: read down in columns instead of across)

Project 52, Week 40, End of Summer

Autumn has begun in the Northern hemisphere.  The trees are turning color and school has started again. 

We have completed 3/4 of this year's projects so let's take a break from learning a new compositional tool and employ what we've already studied this month by composing photos of fall patterns, repetition, rhythm, and textures. 

Examples:

• Sweaters and coats can offer a good source for texture.
• A bike rack at a local school can create a pattern - with or without bikes. Look for one that creates a rhythm.
• A row of yellow school buses
• A stack of books, or pencils, or lunch boxes
• Geese flying south or water fowl filling a pond
• A row of home canned tomatoes or grape jelly
• A harvested corn field
• A basket of apples
• A carpet of crunchy golden leaves on your front yard
• An ivy covered wall at your alma mater

Things to consider:

• If you're in the forest - Get close for texture, step back for patterns.  Then try the reverse.
• Experiment with horizontal and vertical shots of the same subjects.
• Step out of the box and locate some out-of-the-ordinary scenes of patterns or textures.  Don't just do the usual trees and leaves.  (If you go on a search for unique back-to-school photos, do be respectful of the children.)

Suggested Readings and Photographic Examples:

1. A Photographic Journey Through Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere by Peter West Carey at phototuts+; illustrated article
2. A Detailed Guide to Photographing Fall Foliage by Christopher O'Donnell at the PhotoArgus; a well illustrated longer article; look for photos of patterns and texture

Sale at creativeLive on John Greengo Classes today

As usual, this is a little late but today (September 25, 2012) creativeLive is presenting a free four hour "in-depth step-by-step tour of the Canon Rebel T4i (known in Europe as the Cannon EOS 650D) with photographer John Greengo.  This is "a hands-on introduction to [the] camera's operations, detailed instructions on how all the menus work, and instruction on how to shoot great photos with this specific camera model"   (In December, he will hold a class on the Olympus OM-D EM-5.)  The live class runs from 9 AM - 1 PM (PDT), but there should be re-watch opportunities through the afternoon and evening.   [The class can be watched live from 12 - 4 EDT; for other time zones check out this Time Zones Converter.]

Through today, all of John's course videos are on sale, including the 2012 Fundamentals of Digital Photography.  The Fast Start camera courses are $30 (regularly $50) and the 5 day Fundamentals course is $100 (regularly $150).

John is an excellent instructor. I know because I have viewed and purchased two of his courses.  He "teaches photography with a unique blend of illustrations, animations and photographs".