March’s theme / technique: Being Creative with texture
The six visual keys to a great photograph are:
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- Patterns
- Texture
- Lines
- Light
- Depth of field
- Space
This month we are going to look at textures.Β While the structure of an object is its form, the material from which it is made constitutes its texture. Is it hard or soft, smooth or rough?Β You are aiming at translating texture visually, bringing life and energy to a photo through shape, tone and colour. Study the texture and forget about the object. Texture becomes the subject here.
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- Try contrasting rough against smooth
- Shoot at different times of the day. Does it change the effect?
- Capture details – like the fibres in a rope or a carpet.
- Try altering the angle of light to avoid flat and dull images. You might be able to do this with your editing software too.
- Use different angles to discover how much texture appears.
This week's assignment - Play with angles. This might mean getting down on your stomach to shoot upwards. Or zoom in to focus on the texture and not the subject itself.
This photograph was taken at a close distance and focused on the texture. You are probably not sure what this object actually is from this perspective.
Zoom out a little and we can see that it is an unusual flower. The Red Sugarbush (a Protea) has bright pink flowers that never fully open, they remain looking like buds half open.
If you would like to join in with the 2020 photo challenge then please take a look at my 2020 Photo Challenge page. No complicated rules, just a camera required π
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- Create your own post with some information about how you composed the shot.
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Add the tag #2020PhotoChallenge so everyone can find your entry easily in the WP Reader
- Get your post(s) in by the end of the month, as the new theme comes out on the first Sunday in April.


As your photos demonstrate, this week you’ve set a real test for us. Hmm. I’ll have to have a think.
It’s all about the textures remember, not the subject.
I know, but even so… *thinking*
wow . . .these are wonderful.
I had started to prepare something for this week’s assignment, but seeing these has made me realise I was far too focused on the object. I need to think more about textures. I’ll have another ponder π
Yes, focusing on the textures means ignoring the subject, it’s an unusual concept, but get down low on a carpet and you’ll get the meaning. I only have one carpet. And it’s very flat. π
I will, I will . .. hopefully something on Thursday π
Very interesting post Jude. I hope I got this right!
You did π
Thanks!
Very good, Jude…Iβll get thinking!!
I thought I would have another crack and use your example for inspiration
Banksias are good examples to observe textures.
Oh I adore your macros today.
Here is my entry. Enjoy.