In this video we will talk about 2 concepts for visual composition, simplification and negative space.
Simplification is the reduction of elements in the composition to only what is necessary for the picture. Its a concept very difficult for photographers for a number of reasons. If you are creating the art – in other words, you are drawing or painting, its more natural not to add things to the composition that aren’t important. But as photographers – particularly if you’re not in a studio, we don’t have the ability often to physically remove objects from what we are photographing. This means sometimes you have to reconsider your angle, point of view or any number of changes to the way you’re shooting that will interrupt your normal process. This can be quite difficult.
For example, if you’re shooting a landscape and there is a street light in the frame, the light might be more distracting to the composition than needed. This is an obvious example, but say you’re doing architectural work. Are there chairs in the composition? Do they need to be there? Is their placement complementing what you are trying to say with the image? Simplification is pairing down subjects to only the essential.
Its worth noting that this sounds like minimalism. While reducing elements is a big part of minimalism, it doesn’t imply that your photograph is minimalist. On the base level, it simply means that everything in the composition is there to serve a purpose and no element is distracting.
The second technique we’ll cover in this video is “negative space”. Negative space is simply areas of low texture or activity that contrast the subject and allow it to “breathe”. This is very natural to how we exist as humans. Being in a situation that’s too crowded can make us feel stifled or claustrophobic. Images are similar. We create interest by allowing things room. This also creates impact and gives importance to subjects that contrast this negative space. Negative space can be simple backgrounds, skies, flat colors, black, white, etc.
These techniques are quite simple, but they are both surprisingly difficult to get a handle on – particularly for photographers.
That 'negative kiss' is amazing. I thought it was a plant! 😀
damn, sounds like you recorded your vocals in the headley grange stairwell with that much reverb.
sounds like what is taught in school but for free?
Amazing professional video. I love how much about composition I could study. All best
Dear Ted F, I am back again and learning more, could not sleep, because I want to hear your lecture again today, loving all the lessons! I m not on the street tonight 🙂
Merci a lot… see you tomorrow!
Dynamism * lol. Great channel. This is opposite of all social media trends and likes of Peter McKinon and prism photos. This is real classic photography with more solid picture.
I loveeeeeeeeee your channel Ted. Your videos have, and will continue to stand, the test of time. While I have been familiar with your newest videos for some time now, only recently have I discovered the rich treasure trove of your older work. Brilliant lessons, thanks and blessings from London.
I enjoy all your videos ,,, great channel.
hmmm, just happened upon this video and your other one about the rule of odds today.there are a great many videos on YT to show me how to master HDR, or this or that technique in Lightroom,
and yes, they've helped me grow my technical proficiency, but this stuff, about composition… wow. This is a seminal moment for me, because you've shed a very bright light on what I find to be a dark art, which is, how to 'see' a shot. For a long time I've assumed the 'eye' for composition was a gift people either just had, or they didn't, and something that couldn't be taught. But what you've given us here goes way, way beyond the usual "rule of thirds", "have something in the foreground" type generic advice on composition you find in every photography text. And the way you've explained, in a clear and demystifying way, the concepts behind the art, I found it incredibly helpful and gives me tools to reflect on, and begin to understand, why so many of my shots haven't worked, and why some have. And of course, what I will be doing in future, to improve.thank you very, very much.
Love, love your videos. I am understanding composition and your videos has brought me a lot of light! thanks!
Thank you, I am learning much from you.
Another term is the"figure-ground" relationship .
Thanks
audiofiles appreciates this gorgeous audio, awesome job!
Knowing your stuff is one thing, but being able to communicate it to others is what separates the real great teachers. Thank you Ted, for all your great videos on so many subjects. You are very inspirational to me!
Just recently became much more interested in photography, purchased some adequate gear, and started doing some learning. Imagine my surprise when I found that a lot of photographers are trying to learn what I've been doing most of my life, which is composing drawings and paintings. There are some great art books that are available for composition studies, such as anything about the old masters (Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, etc.), and a little book by Molly Bang called "How Pictures Work." Also, anything by Steve Huston (his book or his video lessons….be careful! You may become so excited that you spend more time drawing and painting than taking photos. He's THAT good.) Also, watching Feng Zhu paint on his YouTube channel demonstrates a lot of great rules of composition.
Really enjoying the channel, Mr. Forbes. Have a great day.
This i not hard or work for me, it is what I do I ocd with removing clutter from images. I yake everything i can out of the composition but when not possible I can spend 6 hours in photoshop / image.
thank you, helpful and informative tutorials….
Can you bring back videos like this please? I loved the theory and artist videos from the early days.
Thank you, Ted. The Stravinsky cropping at the end is so cool.
What is the "goal" of photography. What do I want to achieve when I put my finger on the trigger?
Hey it's Ted Forbes!
I dig what your saying about outside photography can be unreliable compared to a studio which the light source is more reliable
11:234- Wow! I literally couldn't make out it was anything beyond a plant till you pointed it out! I wonder whether this was Man Ray's deliberate spin on the famous vases-faces illusion.
Ver nice channel, thank you a lot 🙂
negative space
Thank you for this 🙂
Got me thinking.
'Dynamism' 🙂
This is great, very enjoyable and educational. thank you.
George Lucas used to be a minimalist until the prequel trilogy came along.
Hi Ted. Interesting video, enjoyed it. Thanks for showing those photographer's cool photos as examples.
I just came across your channel today and I absolutely LOVE it. You have amazing content. These are exactly the kind of things I want to learn about. And you're also good at explaining.
Apart from the reflection of the light source(s) on your glasses (just put the lighting a little bit higher), it's great stuff about negative space, more of that, please!
Really great video! Very amazed with the simplicity you get to explain abstract concepts.
wow Ted ex t…
The minimalist images were ok, but technically uninteresting. Sort of the thing a HS teenager who loves art will hang as a poster.
I actually love using "extra" negative space, but 5 sticks in the water on a white background just doesn't cut it for me personally.
Great explanation about negative space. I tend to be a minimalist/abstract photographer myself; that's what I aim for. Great lesson, helped me a lot to wrap my head around composition better.
Loved this class… 🙂
some great images there… inspiration <3
great audio!!!
Hi Ted – would it not be easier to explain if you spoke and explained while looking at an image? Rather than "we'll look at it in just a second" and 5 minutes have past?
thanks
Great videos you make, love these on composition and those on analog photography especially much. Thank you very much 🙂
Thanks Ted. Inspiring. Where's my camera…..
your videos are great Ted. I also make photography tutorials but from a very different perspective. So I'm learning a lot from you. Thank you. Great speaking skills also! I can't say everything in one shot. I have to edit heavily after recording 😀 greetings from Spain!
#lucecurated
excellent topic improve my photographic field.
nice speaking