Similarly Shaped, Scotland
"Seeing shapes and colours without the burden of thinking about what they are will liberate your creative mind."
Philippa Stanton
This week John challenges us to focus on some key elements of photo composition. I've compiled my response using images from our visit to Scotland, which presented me with a wealth of options. In my opening image I was drawn to the round shapes but also loved the angles and vertical shapes that surrounded them. I also liked the contrast of the smooth pipes next to the texture of the brick walls. Further illustrating texture, the image below captures that of an ancient stone bridge surrounded by beautiful flowers in full bloom.
Scotland in Bloom
"Let your imagination bloom in a riot of color."
Vera Nazarian
One of my favorite images from Scotland follows, capturing a silhouette of multiple spires in the evening sky over Edinburgh. The spires' shapes combine with the twilight to form a lovely, calming impression of the very busy city below.
Twilight Shapes, Edinburgh, Scotland
"A photographers work is given shape and style by his personal vision."
Pete Turner
Another of the elements John mentions is form - which is a bit different from shape. According to Elements of Art in Photography "how we light an object can determine whether it's perceived as a shape (if the lighting is flat or silhouetted) or a form ( if the lighting has accentuated shadows & highlights to create depth)". Following that line of thought, I've chosen the image that follows as an example of the latter, as well as an example of texture.
Perfect Pillars, Scotland
"The rules of composition are important, but the idea is to learn them and then break them."
David Alan Harvey
A more definitive example of textures is demonstrated in the image below. As we were boarding a ship heading to the beautiful Isle of Skye, I captured this pile of equipment which had been tossed on the pavement for later use by the crew.
Textures on the Dock, Scotland
"Each picture requires a special composition and every artist treats each picture originally."
Peter Henry Emerson
I couldn't resist a capture of the textures and shapes of the image below, although it was the chimney smoke that drew me to photograph the scene.
Smokestack, Scotland
"...it is usually some incidental detail that heightens the effect of a picture."
Bill Brandt
I'll close with a final image that illustrates both shape and texture. It captures my husband as he strolls through a beautifully arched building that features multiple shapes and some wonderfully textured walls.
Texture and Shape, Scotland
"The value of composition cannot be overestimated: upon it depends the harmony..."
Gertrude Käsebier
Sincere thanks to John for challenging us with some key concepts. Please remember to link your response to John's original challenge here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you. Thanks also to Ritva for last week's creative window shopping challenge. It was great fun following along with all of the approaches you took, especially when (like me) you're not much of a shopper to start with! Finally, please join us next Saturday at noon EDT when Ann-Christine leads our challenge. Until then, as always please stay safe, be kind and enjoy the journey.
Looking for more information on joining our challenge? Click here.
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