Exercise Curves

Exercise Curves.

Curves have a sense of grace, elegance, movement and direction. Curves are similar to a diagonal because they pull they eye in one direction.  Freeman, comments that curves are a useful second device in the controlling the way in which the viewer looks at a photograph. He states that curves are harder than diagonals to compose, and whilst a diagonal is straight line of any direction that is altered by viewpoint, and curve must usually begin as a real curve. (1)

The following photographs use curves to express, elegance, movement and direction:

 

 

1. the curve in this photograph is almost like a diagonal, it draws the eye in whilst moving the viewer around the frame in a smooth curve - this example also highlights perspective drawing the eye into the distance. I shot this vertically to enhance the curve - the image is more dynamic with the curve taking up most of the frame.

 2. the petals form natural curves, expressing movement from the centre of the stem outwards and around the frame. The curves are elegant, smooth and movement flows around the outside of the flower as well as from the centre point. The diagonal stem works well too, to enhance the dynamic design elements in the image.

 

 3. the Lilly pads floating on the pond are each elegant circles, but they also represent a curve emanating from lower right to top left and then middle in the way they float naturally. I decided to crop this image closely to enhance the perspective and the curve shape is similar to a diagonal in that it draws the eye in one direction of movement.

 

4. the building here is curved and expresses movement which is highlighted by the strong curve (almost diagonal) directing the gaze from the top left hand of the frame around into the centre - the movement is unresolved as it disappears out of view, suggesting a tension and dynamic qualities. 

 

conclusion

I find curves atheistically pleasing - they are elegant, graceful and smoother than diagonals. Whilst completing this exercise, I was reminded of Part One of the course, and the exercises on balance, a curve is a strong graphic element which can direct the gaze around the frame. It is interesting to see how curves create dynamic tension, pulling the eye around the curve in the direction of the flowing movement. One of the most simple examples of this, is the "S" shaped path by Brassi (which I featured supra) taken from http://www.atgetphotography.com/The-Photographers/BRASSAI.html (accessed 9/9/12).  See how the "S" shape draws the gaze from the lower left hand side of the frame, and pulls the eye in a curve up to the top of the frame giving a gentle elegant dynamic flow to the image.

 

 

Freeman, Michael, (2007). The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos, The Ilex Press.