The following is a direct copy and has been Pasted in for future reference from the Art of Photography coursework PDF Doc. (pasted in Maroon)
6 photographs
Produce two sets of triangular compositions in photographs using:
a) ‘Real’ Triangles.
b) ‘Implied’ Triangles.
Real
- Find a subject which is itself triangular (it can be a detail of something larger).
- Make a triangle by perspective, converging towards the top of the frame.
- Make an inverted triangle, also by perspective, converging towards the bottom of the frame. You may need to think about this one.
Implied
- Make a still-life arrangement of five or six objects to produce a triangle with the apex at the top.
- Make a still-life arrangement as above, but so that the triangle is inverted, with the apex at the bottom.
- Arrange three people in a group picture in such a way that either their faces or the lines of their bodies makes a triangle.
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Equipment
Nikon D4
24/70 f2.8 lens
80/400 f4.5 lens
Nikon Speedlight 910
Method
In this exercise I have presented six pictures, each relating to either ‘Real’ or ‘Implied’ triangles
Please see pictures and captions below for more description and details.
Note – all pictures have been compressed hence there will be a quality reduction when enlarging.
Picture 1 (Gloucester Cathedral – Real & Implied Triangles)
This picture was taken with a 24/70mm lens, aperture of f4.0 and a speed of 50th sec. ISO 400, focal length 24mm.
This picture was taken inside Gloucester Cathedral (Gloucestershire). Here we can see in the roof structure a series of compound triangular shapes.
Picture 2 (Book Shelf – Real & Implied Triangles)
This picture was taken with a 14/24mm lens, aperture of f22 and a speed of 13 seconds. ISO 400, focal length 14mm, mini tripod.
A picture of a book shelf, here we can see the triangle by perspective with the apex converging towards the top.
Picture 3 (Stairs – Implied)
This picture was taken with a 14/24mm lens, aperture of f14.0 and a speed of 1/13th sec. ISO 400, focal length 14mm.
A picture looking down a staircase, here we can see the triangle by perspective with the apex converging towards the bottom.
Picture 4 (Para Glider – Implied)
This picture was taken with a 14/24mm lens, aperture of f7.1 and a speed of 1/25th sec. ISO 400, focal length 16mm.
A still picture looking towards my table of study, note the triangle with the apex at the top.
Picture 5 (Portrait – Implied)
This picture was taken with a 24/70mm lens, aperture of f16.0 and a speed of 1 second, ISO 640, focal length 48mm.
A still picture, looking on a triangular section triangle with the apex at the bottom, the triangle is also sub divided into smaller triangles (courtesy of my daughter).
Picture 6 (Table Conversation – Implied)
This picture was taken with a 24/70mm lens, aperture of f5.0 and a speed of 30th sec. ISO 1000, focal length 24mm.
Three people relaxing in a group with their faces making a triangle.
What have I learnt from this exercise
From this exercise I have learnt that real triangles are visually defined within the subject & implied triangles are created via perspective, either vertically or horizontal.
Basic types of regular shape (by definition, irregular shapes are more idiosyncratic).
There are three basic types of regular shape which are – Triangles , Rectangles & Circles.
Other regular shapes, such as a trapezoid or an oval, are sub-divisions or combinations of these three.
The simplest, and also arguably the most valuable in composition, is the triangle.
Simple because it has the smallest number of sides and corners.
Valuable because the diagonals it contains make it very active, and it can also often appear to be ‘pointing’, and so induce a sense of movement.
Rectangles are more static, and occur most commonly in the form of rectangular-shaped man-made objects and are not so interesting as a compositional device …… because they are so obvious as subjects and also within the frame.
Thoughts and Reflection
This was another good exercise which I enjoyed, particularly the implied triangles. When taking these pictures the convergence of lines works best with a wide angle. A telephoto would produce more compression within the picture (as per earlier studies) thus not giving the full effect of a ‘larger than life’ converging triangle.
stingray493 