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Describing Professional Photographers and their work

Composition Techniques

Framing and rule of thirds: 

In photography, the placement of the subject within the frame is a critical composition technique that can greatly affect the overall impact of the image. The positioning of the subject can create a sense of balance or tension, and draw the viewer's eye to the focal point of the photo.

There are various approaches to subject placement within the frame, including the rule of thirds and the golden ratio. The rule of thirds involves dividing the frame into a grid of nine equal sections, with the subject placed at one of the intersecting points. This creates a sense of balance and interest in the image. The golden ratio, on the other hand, involves placing the subject at a point that follows a mathematical ratio of 1:1.618, which is believed to make the photo more balanced.

Perspective and leading lines:

Leading lines in photography is when the visible lines in a photo draws attention to the main subject / image. These lines can follow any direction, including horizontal, vertical diagonal and even curved. They are also used as a way to create a sense of movement or direction in a photo For example, vertical lines indicate height and stability, whereas horizontal lines might indicate something more calm. Diagonal lines can be used to create various senses, one of them being tension and a very dynamic movement.

The perspective of a photo varies depending on what angle and direction the photographer chooses to take a photo. This techniques composes photos differently compared to a normal photo, as it allows the viewer to see things from a new viewpoint. Perspective techniques can help the photographer create 3 dimensional images and add depth to their photos, making them more interesting.

Settings for moving and static objects:

When is comes to composition in photography, there are a range of camera settings available for the photographer to use to result in a good photograph. One of these settings is adjusting the shutter speed of the camera: Depending on what the photography may choose to take a photo of, changing the shutter speed can alter the outcome of a photo. For fast moving objects, using a faster shutter speed is recommended, as it will only capture one frame and will avoid any motion blur.

For static and slow moving subjects, the shutter speed can be slowed down to capture more detailed images. A tripod for this is recommended, as it will keep the camera static while the camera has a slow shutter active.

Control of foreground, middle ground and background:

The foreground of a photo is the element that is closest to you, the photographer. The element that is furthest away from you is considered as the background. The middle ground of a photo is anything in between what is considered as the foreground and background.

Not all photos contain all three elements at the same time: some photos might only have a foreground and a background, whereas some might only have a middle ground and background. This varies with each photo. Some photographers might choose to not use all 3 elements for more simplistic photos, whereas more detailed and more full photos might need to include all 3 elements.

Having all 3 of these elements can be beneficial, as it can add depth and dimension to the photo. This makes the photo more visually appealing and interesting. This applies mainly to landscape photography. Once a photographer is comfortable and understands the use of these 3 layers (foreground, middle ground and background), they can begin to incorporate other photography techniques such as the ones mentioned before (rule of thirds, perspective and leading lines etc.)

Photographic viewpoints:

A viewpoint refers to the position or angle from which the photographer captures an image. It's an essential aspect of composition that can significantly affect the way a photograph looks and feels.

There are multiple types of viewpoints in photography. Examples of these are: Eye-level viewpoints, high-angle viewpoints and low-angle viewpoints. These viewpoints help put emphasis on certain parts of a photograph, making something stand out more or stand out less than something else. Viewpoints can also help convey a certain mood or atmosphere.

Describing the work of photographers:

Gab Loste:

Gab Loste is a Photographer from the Philippines that mainly takes portrait photographs of people while they are under some sort of colourful, neon or bright lighting. They also occasionally take photos of landscapes and cityscapes

Rather than focusing on viewpoints and perspective, this photographer is more focused on concentrating on composition, the background and lighting, having very experimental pieces of work.

When taking portraits with neon lighting, Gab Loste mainly uses the Nikon D750 camera. In a video where the photographer explains how to shoot neon portraits, he uses a shutter speed of 1/125th and an aperture of f/1.8 (he recommends using it at its widest). This photographer also likes to use props to be held in front of the lens to add effects to the photograph. For example, in the photograph above, he uses a CD to show the red reflection on the left.

The image above is an example of Gab Loste using props to reflect the lighting in his photographs, hence the red neon strobe lights being noticeable on the left. The photograph below is also an example of a prop being used to reflect the light (mirror, CD) being held next to the lens to create the illusion that the static is also on the right hand side of the image. Both photographs are also good examples of control over leading lines and perspective, as the walls and surfaces in the photographs can clearly be seen fading off into the background displaying depth.

Henri Cartier-Bresson:

Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French humanist photographer influenced by surrealism who took photos of people, streets and architecture. He used 35mm film sheets and Leica rangefinder cameras to shoot his photos. He was born on the 22nd of August, 1908 and died on the 3rd of August, 2004. In 1932, Bresson began his life-long passion for photography.

Bresson had been doing photography for over 40 years world wide, and mainly focuses on the composition of his photos rather than the content and subject. This makes his style of photography quite broad, as he used to take photos of many different subjects.

In the images above, you can see Bresson's clear understanding of leading lines because of the perspective the photographs are taken from. The horizontal lines of the water's surface and the boat's edge serve as powerful leading lines, directing the viewer's attention towards the bridge. The converging lines of the bridge's architecture further emphasize the depth and perspective in the image, adding visual interest and guiding the viewer's eye towards the focal point.

Robert Capa

Robert Capa was a Hungarian-American photojournalist and war photographer. He is considered one of the best war and adventure photographers of the 20th century. He was born in Budepest, Hungary, in 1913 and later on moved to Paris, France to begin his career in photography. 

Capa was known for using a range of different cameras, including Leica and Contax 35mm cameras. He also used medium-format cameras such as the Rolleiflex. Capa was particularly known for his use of the Leica camera, which he used to take some of his most famous photographs.

In the first image above, Capa skillfully employs the rule of thirds to create a dynamic composition. The man holding the gun is positioned towards the left-hand side of the frame, following the rule of placing the main subject off-center. This placement creates visual tension and adds a sense of movement and anticipation. The negative space on the right-hand side of the frame enhances the subject's prominence, drawing attention to his presence and the potential action about to unfold.

In the second photograph above, Capa employs the principle of juxtaposition to create a compelling visual narrative. The juxtaposition of the men lying in the field and the ruined house in the background contrasts the vulnerability of the individuals with the destruction and chaos of the war-torn environment. This composition emphasizes the human element amidst the larger context of war.

Annie Liebovitz

Annie Leibovitz is a renowned American photographer known for her distinctive style of portraiture. She was born in 1949 in Waterbury, Connecticut, and began her career in photography as a staff photographer for Rolling Stone magazine in the 1970s. She went on to become the chief photographer for Vanity Fair and later, Vogue.

Leibovitz's style is characterised by her use of bold colours, dramatic lighting, and her ability to capture her subjects in candid, often vulnerable moments.

Leibovitz's equipment has evolved over the years as technology has advanced, but she has always been known for using high-quality, professional-grade cameras and lenses. In recent years, she has also experimented with newer technologies, such as using drones to capture aerial images. She primarily uses a Nikon camera and 35mm lens.

In the black and white photograph, Leibovitz showcases her ability to capture the essence of her subjects in a visually striking manner. The positioning of Leonardo DiCaprio on the right-hand side of the frame adheres to the rule of thirds, creating a visually engaging composition. Placing the subject off-center adds a sense of balance and intrigue to the image.

In this vibrant and colorful image, Leibovitz showcases her ability to capture the personality and atmosphere of her subjects within a natural environment. The person wearing a big white hat becomes a focal point, drawing attention with their distinctive accessory. The vibrant colors in the image contribute to a sense of joy and playfulness hidden within their melancholy expression.