Category: 2020 Challenge

My challenge this week is a difficult one. How to photograph a subject using a background which is a pattern without distracting from the subject. I used several photos from my archives because the weather has been so awful this year I have not yet managed to get outdoors to do any photography. In hindsight I might have thought of using patterns within the home such as cushions or blankets, but I’m not much of an indoor photographer. Another skill I need to practice!

My post is generating a lot of interesting comments and I am fully appreciative of each and every one of them, as it is my intention this year to examine the way I take photos and how to improve them. And it is by having other people look at my photos and point out the ‘mistakes’ or ‘flaws’ that will help me to improve. My aim is to take less, but better, photographs instead of the too many snapshots that I am in the habit of doing. So I need all the help I can get to iron out those things that stop a good photo from being a great photo.

One of my images was a sculpture (Adam) at the Eden Project with one of the biomes behind it, which I felt worked reasonably well, until it was pointed out that perhaps the patterned background could be bigger, so I looked for a different view to see if it works better. This is all I could come up with where I have the same sculpture in the scene. As you can observe there is a lot of foliage around, this is taken outside of course, and the landscape is very much used to grow plants and trees. I’m interested to see what you think of this one. Or does making the pattern more dominant decrease the importance of the subject?

The assignment: Use pattern as a background for a more substantial subject.

The original photo:

Like I said. A tricky assignment.
Over to you…

February’s theme / technique: Being Creative with Patterns

The six visual keys to a great photograph are:

• • Patterns
  • Texture
  • Lines
  • Light
  • Depth of field
  • Space

This month we are going to look at Patterns. Patterns can be found everywhere, in nature or man-made constructions. For a photographer, using patterns is key to a good composition.

They are made up of repeated objects, geometric shapes or abstract patterns, or colours and they may be random or ordered. Visual patterns in nature are often loose and organic – think of spirals, waves, rock formations, sand.

• • Try using patterns as the main subject of your photo with the focal point on the patterns removing the context.
  • Or you can use the pattern as a backdrop to something else.
  • Try abstract imagery using close-up photography – peeling paint, rust stains for example
  • Break the pattern, for instance position one red apple in the midst of a pile of green ones. And of course remembering the rule of thirds, any break should be on an intersection.
  • Create your own patterns.
  • Combine patterns. Contrasting or complementary patterns work well.

This month's final assignment – Use pattern as a background for a more substantial subject. 

Don’t have your subject too large in the frame or it will detract from the pattern. And consider whether the patterned background adds or takes away the impact of the subject. Remember also the general ‘rules’ of compositional techniques.

Continue reading 2020 Photo Challenge #8

February’s theme / technique: Being Creative with Patterns

The six visual keys to a great photograph are:

• • Patterns
  • Texture
  • Lines
  • Light
  • Depth of field

This month we are going to look at Patterns. Patterns can be found everywhere, in nature or man-made constructions. For a photographer, using patterns is key to a good composition.

They are made up of repeated objects, geometric shapes or abstract patterns, or colours and they may be random or ordered. Visual patterns in nature are often loose and organic – think of spirals, waves, rock formations, sand.

• • Try using patterns as the main subject of your photo with the focal point on the patterns removing the context.
  • Or you can use the pattern as a backdrop to something else.
  • Try abstract imagery using close-up photography – peeling paint, rust stains for example
  • Break the pattern, for instance position one red apple in the midst of a pile of green ones. And of course remembering the rule of thirds, any break should be on an intersection.
  • Create your own patterns.
  • Combine patterns. Contrasting or complementary patterns work well.

This week's assignment is a bit more difficult – Break the pattern, disrupt the continuity in some way

Continue reading 2020 Photo Challenge #7