Image Design Tutorial - Composition 2

[kenpossum]

Photographers can learn a lot from artists in other media, and one of my favorites is Robert Bateman. While an expert in the rules of traditional composition, he also knew when to break the rules. An example of his style is given below.

The Northern Harrier Hawk that was sitting in the grass in my previous post suddenly took to the air. I was prepared for this as I was using a tripod and my center large dot focus was set on the base of the bird and I included a touch of the grass as well. As he flew up, all I had to do is press the remote shutter and Bingo, he was mine.



Because the nature of the center dot focus results in a dull, centered composition, I reframed him off to the lower left and had him flying into the image. This is a standard compositional approach, and is more pleasing than to have him centered.



Robert Bateman would do it differently opting to have the bird at the upper right about to fly out of the frame. He does this a lot in his paintings, and it is a purposeful attempt to create tension. Rules are meant to be broken!

[kenpossum]

I used Bateman's lead to compose this image of a Short-eared Owl taken at Boundary Bay to create action and tension.

[oldfulica]

I am learning from these tutorials Ken. I wonder if the effect would have been the same if the branches weren't there?

[kenpossum]

I could have easily taken them out but for this composition, I needed a base for the bird. He is taking flight from ... where? The branches provide that info. Interested in other thoughts.