Exercise Multiple Points

This exercise involved setting up a scenario of multiple points - the object here is to show how a group of objects implies not only a network of lines or connections but also, by implication shapes.  The implication is that multiple points produce an effect that they joined (see the progression of images below).


I chose dice and pieces from my monopoly set for my arrangement. 

1. a single point placed off centre - dividing the frame.

2 points.. when you add more points the relationship of the objects implies a network of lines, the simplest of which is the line between two points.

3 points.. a network of lines, implying a triangle (I haven't added the lines as yet, see final image below)

 4 points.. the eye travels from the lower right hand around and up to the left and back..

 5 points..

6 points.. the eye travels over the points following the implied vectors, from right to left sweeping over the image.

 7 points, the eye sweeps over the image, in a circular motion

8 points..I have added an intersection of lines to highlight the division the points make

 9 points

10 points...

When I started this exercise, initially the relationship between the points formed triangles - as I began to add more points, the predominant move of direction was in the form of 2 circles. 


Conclusion.

The relationship of multiple points implies a network of lines, that the points are joined.  With 2 points, the eye, moves from one to another quite easily without much explanation.  When more points are added you can see movement or vectors which direct the eye as it travels over the image.

It is interesting to see Gestalts' Law of closure in play, in final arrangement, I see 2 circles (or a circle on the right hand side and a triangle on the left).

One thing I noted was that it was actually difficult to arrange the objects to make them look natural and not too set up! I wanted to make them look as if they had fallen onto the table

Exercise: Positioning a Point

We are asked to take three photographs in which there is a single point placed in a different part of the frame.

I began this exercise by reviewing old photographs which I had taken, and realising that many of my compositions were busy. For this exercise, I decided just to focus just  on one point in the frame. This might seem overly simplistic but it will help me going forward to identify the graphic elements in a photograph.

1. Here the gemstone is a point in the lower right hand of the frame.  It is near the right hand edge of the frame, its position gives the it a sense of direction/movement, i.e., its not static. 

2. Another gemstone, off centre this time, again, the placement which closer to the left hand edge of the frame, give a sense of dynamics.. the eye looks to the stone first, then travels right to the empty space of the right hand side and then around in a circular motion to the left and back on the stone again.

 3. A greenstone placed, top right hand of the frame.  This is an example of how colour is a graphic element - the stone stands out.  I could have turned this black and white, but wanted to remind myself of how colour can act as a point too! The eye is drawn to the greenstone, and then travels in an anticlockwise motion around the frame.

 

I have kept the above examples very simplistic - I wanted to see if there could be any dynamics in the frame with just one simple point. As shown though, the point dissects the image dividing the frame - and that in itself is a dynamic effect on the frame.

The fish here is in the lower right hand of the frame, and its position in relation to the right hand edge of the frame, gives it a sense of movement and direction.  There is a balancing effect with the  position of the fish in the frame, and the reflection of the water which moves in a diagonal line from the top left hand corner of the frame.

Part Two:

Introduction

 



The objective of Part Two:

is to focus attention on identifying the graphic elements in a photograph.  We must learn to think of a photograph, in terms of an arrangement of light - i.e., how the light is organised, how it falls. The light tones and dark tones, give rise to shapes and forms.   This approach involves looking at an image in an abstract way.   The aim is to facilitate how we view composition, we need to be able to identify the graphic elements in an image, to assess how the elements interact, and to learn how to use them for structure and movement in a composition.

I am wondering how I will fare in Part Two - I am usually drawn to strong colours and shapes, and as the introduction states this may be something of a distraction.

The exercises on elements of design - will cover points, lines and shapes - that together form a 2-dimensional image.

The first project involves points.  As Freeman states in the Art of Photography course notes at page 72 " The point is the most fundamental design element. In a photograph, for a subject to qualify as a point it has to be small in the frame, and contrast, in some way, with its surroundings.."

Before embarking on any exercises, we are asked to jot down examples of situation which would make a clear photograph of a point: I thought of the following:

1.single yacht at sea (with sea filling out most of the background)

2.rock on the beach, with sea in distance or empty landscape.

3.cottage in a field occupying small part of the frame,

4.toy car positioned on a bench top, or in a light box - occupying small part of the frame

5. sole tree in a field, shot from wide angel to increase distance.

6. lone bird against wide blue uniform sky


We were asked to look through past photographs to identify points. Here are some examples - although, I have found it difficult to find very simple compositions with just "one" point.

1. The yacht could be considered to be a point, but the Island in the background, does detract the eye a bit.

 

2. the shell is off centre

 3. the boy is in the centre of the frame

3. the fern is slightly off centre

4.the larger boat is off centre and is balanced by the smaller boats off centre to the right

 

 

5. the container ship is high on the left and is a point along with the smaller yacht to its right.. however the reflection of the clouds in the water is quite distracting.

Part Two

It has been almost a week since I wrote up feedback for Assignment 1.    I have had a short break for 4 days (which was a total surprise) in Queenstown the South Island. I have many photographs to edit and publish and I have been continuing to read Cotton's book on  Photography as contemporary Art.

Whilst I am reading through the introduction to Part Two, I thought it would be extremely useful for me to read Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain  (Edwards Betty, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain,  1993, HarperCollins) [ISBN 0006381146]. An artist friend of mine said that this would be extremely helpful in viewing photographs, not just as images, but in terms of light, and graphic qualities.

I have also recently studied photographs by Martin Parr, and I will shortly add a post on my review.