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Texture

Lesson 30 from: Mastering Photographic Composition and Visual Storytelling

Chris Weston

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Lesson Info

30. Texture

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

Texture

I'm going to conduct a little experiment. Close your eyes. Now imagine running your right hand over a rough stone. Now imagine running your other hand over a slab of perfectly smooth marble. Okay, you can open your eyes. Did you notice how your mind responded differently? The two imaginary experiences? Well, the same thing happens when we look at a photograph. Our mind imagines the feeling of texture present in the image, and the body responds. Physiologically texture is a powerful visual tour. In eliciting an emotional response, the texture of this sultry is almost palpable. Repeat the little experiment we've just done. An imagine running your hand over the bark. You surely feel its roughness is. It rubs against your skin when you prepare to take a photograph. All of your senses, consciously or otherwise, are working to inform you how you feel about the scene you're photographing. The problem with the photograph is at face value. It works on a one dimensional visual level. Only the in...

put from the other senses hearing taste, smell and touch is lost. Unless, that is, you use visual tools to bring them back. And that's what's happening in this image. Light contrast, color and framing are all working to divulge a visual sense of touch. I've used a tight crop to show just a small section of the tree, and this focuses your attention on the bark, which is the vehicle for my story. While sidelight, it creates tiny shadows that reveal every nook and cranny, creating a very real sense of texture. The camera gives you a visual representation of texture, but if you print your photographs, you can also add a physical dimension for your choice of paper. Photographic inkjet paper comes in many varieties, from smooth gloss or satin through Matt, the heavily textured art papers. By matching paper and subject, you can enhance the impression the final print makes on the viewer. Now it's difficult for me to show you the difference on the computer or TV screen, but as an example, an image of tree bark will become multi dimensional wind printed on textured paper. Compared to say, satin is another part of the photographic process, and it's this attention to the little details that helps raise your photography to a higher level

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.

Student Work

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