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Elements of Design - Shape

Lesson 24 from: Mastering Photographic Composition and Visual Storytelling

Chris Weston

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Lesson Info

24. Elements of Design - Shape

Next Lesson: Case Study - Shape

Lessons

Class Trailer
1

Your 10,001st Photograph

03:24
2

Camera Gear

03:03
3

Piece of Gear We Always Forget

03:47
4

Be a Storyteller

03:09
5

Finding Ideas For Photography - Know Your Subject

06:59
6

Cae Study - Why Are Zebras Black and White Striped

01:30
7

Photograph What You Love

02:00
8

See the Extraordinary in Ordinary Things

01:31

Lesson Info

Elements of Design - Shape

in the same way distinct lines help define the visual story. The same could be said of shape. Some shape such a squares, rectangles and triangles or keyboards and pyramids typically depicts turning us and solidity. Imagine trying to topple over a pyramid and you'll get my point in a photograph. That solidity also creates status and the lack of visual energy on a triangle. A pyramid upside down, however, and it's prone to topple over all on its own is no longer stable and static is wobbly, andan balanced again. The visual implication is emitted energetically and psychologically so as to create a feeling of uneasiness, an imbalance in the viewer on Because an unbalanced objects suggest movement, it creates visual energy. Triangles can also be leading lines pointing into or out of the image space, drawing attention to the subject or area of the scene or taking you out of the space altogether. They are also strong metaphors. Sharp points are associated with danger and pain, so the triangle...

s formed by the jagged edges of a mountain range, for example, might reminders of a sore or serrated knife. All of these associations implications, metaphors and assumptions transmit emotive energy from the photograph to the viewer on their psychological effects must be considered when you're composing the image circles and ellipses, which have no beginning or end lead nowhere. Instead, they frame and enclose whatever is contained inside them. In this case, May, which holds the viewer's gaze to the exclusion of everything else. In that sense, whether implicit or like an archway, implied circles may be employed as a compositional tool for visually removing distracting detail circles, also a symbol of rhythm and unity. The Olympic emblem, for example, represents the Union of the five continents. However, another word for Enclosed is entrapped, which brings with it connotations of constraint. As with all other shapes, each of these overtones and intimations must be considered when composing a photograph. So how does this work in practice? Well, to answer that question in the next lesson, I'm going to take you back to one of my favorite photographic locations. Marrakech. No

Ratings and Reviews

Edmund Cheung
 

Perhaps the style of presentation and simple, short, and direct messaging does not "jive" with some; but others may really love this. Yes the production of each episode is stylized and perhaps a bit formal (like a TV Show?), but there is something to be said about it. Perhaps this is not meant for professional photographers? I think of myself as decent amateur / high level photographer. I found lots of great nuggets of wisdom and inspiration from this. Especially when I an in a rut for creativity. Yes I have heard all these concepts and ideas before. BUT it is always great to hear and see a different way of presentation and voice. Please do NOT take the naysayer reviews as the end all. You should judge for yourself and watch a few episodes. If the style and content click for you, I would highly recommend this course.

Abdullah Alahmari
 

Thanks a lot to mr. Chris Weston This course is great and It is a 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 course for me. Beside the other course ( mastering the art of photography ) both courses are Complementing to each other and highly recommended.

Kai Atherton
 

While I am perhaps more advanced in my photography then this course. It is always great to be able to go back to fundamentals and remind ourselves of the basic principles, and even camera function. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and Chris's other. It is a great motivational jumpstart when lacking fresh creative idea's.

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