Photo 52.2: Framed (Photographer's Choice)

Last January, at the suggestion of our own Stacey Vukelj, our group of intrepid photographers dubbed 2013 "The Year of Awesome."  And an awesome year it was. We completed our 52-week collaborative blog project devoted to the in-depth exploration of light. We launched this very website you are now perusing, What We Become, a collaborative photo blog devoted to our collective creative development. 

Mostly, we got out of our respective comfort zones, grew in our craft, and - best of all - had fun!

For this final week of December, our theme is "Photographer's Choice". Some images will be a 2013 personal favorite. Some will be a continuation of our month-long exploration of lines. All images will be a reflection of where we are in our photographic journey. Click here to see all the image we chose as our final image of 2013 HERE.

 

 

Photo 52.2: Framed (Curves)

This is week 12 of our year-long study on composition and our fourth week studying lines. This week we are looking at curves. Curves can be playful, graceful, lingering, sometimes even sexy. In photography, a curved line encourages the eye to meander and explore. Arcs and semi-circles are a variation on curved lines. These types of lines can help to frame or isolate the subject of an image. S-shaped lines are still another variation and are used frequently in visual arts for their sense of grace, balance and beauty. 
Check out this week's offering to see our collective take on Curved Lines HERE

Ceiling at Radio City Music Hall during the Rockettes

Photo 52.2: Framed (Diagonal Lines)

This is week 11 of our Photo 52.2 blog circle studying composition. This week we are looking at diagonal lines.

There is a sense of movement and immediacy when diagonal lines are effectively captured in a photograph. When used thoughtfully, they can imbue an image with tension and energy. Diagonal lines can give a sense of soaring structure, or add remarkable depth to an image. As is the case with other kinds of lines, they help direct the eye and encourage the viewer to explore the frame. 

Diagonal lines can add a sense of motion and anticipation. We anticipate you will very much enjoy our collective take this week on the use of diagonal lines. 

Click HERE to see all my friends' photos of diagonals in one grid.

Photo 52.2: Framed (Repeating Patterns)

Lines lend structure to a photograph, leading our eye through the image They create a feeling of movement, rhythm and flow. 

For our second week on this topic, we are exploring the creative use of horizontal or vertical lines in our images. Although there are no hard and fast rules, each type of line typically inspires a different kind of feeling in the viewer. For horizontal lines, there is a tendency towards peacefulness, serenity and stability. Think of a classic shot of a desert horizon at sunset, a tranquil lake at dawn, or a magnificent row of tulips. Vertical lines imply something more dynamic, suggesting growth and power. Towering buildings, massive trees, even a small person shot from a low angle can impart and sense of strength and grandeur.

Check out this week's images here for our collective exploration of horizontal and vertical lines.

Photo 52.2: Framed (Leading Lines)

The start of a new month means a new topic for our year-long study of composition. For December we will be exploring the creative use of lines to prompt visual interest and help forge a connection between viewer and subject.

The use of leading lines in photography is a compelling way to enhance the composition of an image. Lines help to create a visual narrative by telling the viewer what is the main subject of the image. In many instances, they encourage us to explore further by leading our eye through the frame. In some cases, they can even direct our eye out of the frame.

Depending on the photographer's use of lines and intent, they can create depth and dimension, or impart tension or serenity. Lines are everywhere to be found: fences and roads, stairways and walls. Even the crook of an extended arm or a shaft of light can create a leading line. Check out this week's images for more examples of where leading lines can take you here: 

 

 

 

 

Photo 52.2: Framed (Balancing Act)

This is Week 8 of our Photo 52.2 study on framing. We have come to the end of our month on balance, which is just as well. With the holidays approaching, many of us are struggling to balance our time, much less our compositions. Our efforts this week centered around using any or all of the objectives we have practiced this month - balance using negative space and frame placement, balance with objects or with other people. We hope you enjoy our diverse interpretations HERE

Photo 52.2: Framed (Balance with space)

This is our 7th week of Photo 52.2 and our third week focusing on balance. This week we sought to utilize negative space to provide balance, or imbalance, to our images. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in filling the frame that we forget what an effective and deceptively simple tool empty space can be. This doesn't mean the space must be open sky or a blank wall, but in whatever form it takes, it lends a sense of scope and may even act as the primary or secondary subject within the frame.

For this week, I chose an image I shot in Milan last week on a mini holiday. This was taken on the roof top of the cathedral in the Milan center. This cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete- it's the fifth largest cathedral in the world and the largest in the Italian state territory. There are over 2000 statues on the roof, all portraying saints, prophets, sibyls and other characters of the Bible. It was an incredible view and we had an incredible night. 

To see all of this week's photos in one matrix, click HERE

Photo 52.2: Framed (Balance with objects)

Last week, our objective was to achieve balance in the frame using two or more people. This week, we tried to create a counterweight to our subject using an object of some kind. Size, perspective and relationship of the object to the subject all feature in creating an appealing balance – or perhaps intentionally creating the sensation of being off-balance. In my attempt, I am using the beautiful fall trees to balance my photo. We hope you enjoy our collection here  

Photo 52.2: Framed (Balance with people)

We are kicking off week two by looking at the concept of balance within the frame of an image. As in life, balance in photography can often feel elusive. For many of us, when the day to day details are not coming together well, we feel little off-kilter or out of sorts. Conversely, we revel in the harmonious feeling that descends when it all comes together. Similarly, there is something very appealing about a well-balanced image, even if it is not immediately apparent that a dynamic balance is what makes the shot work. Our goal this week was to balance people in an image. This may mean two subjects, or simply finding a way to make another person or persons act as the counterweight to the main subject. We all agree that it was quite a challenge.

Here is my take below. To see all the images together, click HERE

Photo 52.2: Framed (Putting geometry all together)

This is our fourth week focusing on geometry and this week and this week we had the option of utilizing all prior lessons (geometry for framing, geometry in the environment, and geometry for balance) or choosing one of the prior assignments. For this week, I chose to focus on framing and balance.

To see all my friends' images together, please click here: http://whowebecome.com/?p=329 

Photo 52.2: Framed (Using Geometric Shapes to Balance)

This is our third week of our new year studying composition. In the last two weeks we have looked at using geometric shapes as framing elements and looking at geometric shapes in repetition. This week we are doing a little balancing act with all of the shapes we are finding. Geometric shapes naturally attract our attention and therefore have inherent visual weight. When placed in the frame with a primary subject they can act as a secondary subject. When the weights of the two subjects are placed well in the frame, just as on a scale, the composition will be balanced. 

I have chosen the below image utilizing parallel lines as my geometric shape to balance the photo. It may be a bit of a stretch, but when you look at the photo and remove the shadow of the fence, I find the image isn't as strong without it. You can let me know if you agree. 

Please click HERE to see all my friends' images focusing on geometric shapes to balance their photo altogether on one page.