Composition Made Easy
Join David Ziser as he teaches you how to use an arsenal of on-location composition techniques. Go behind the scenes as David shoots a parking garage, private mansion, and corporate buildings and cityscapes. You'll learn how to recognize and shoot a wide variety of visual elements to create spectacular, one-of-a-kind compositions. David also shares his personal tips and tricks for camera settings, lenses, and lighting gear that are guaranteed to boost your creative photography.
Release Date: 2012-01-16
Lessons
Introduction
<p>Join David as he introduces the course and goes over the concepts he'll demonstrate through each of the lessons.</p>
Duration: 1 mins 52 seconds
Look for Shapes
<p>Explore your environment to see the shape elements that can be used as complimentary backgrounds for your subject and that work with the lighting you have available.</p>
Duration: 8 mins 26 seconds
Explore the Location
<p>Scout the location before the subject is in position so that you have time to look for the best compositional elements to use in your shot.</p>
Duration: 7 mins 10 seconds
Leading Lines and Shapes
<p>David starts out on the sunny steps using leading lines to create a dynamic composition with Hope as the model before switching to using building shapes to create an executive portrait with Ben (model). Reflectors and off camera flash can be used to layer light on to the subject.</p>
Duration: 8 mins 1 seconds
Playing in an Urban Landscape
<p>Working in an urban landscape gives you the opportunity to play with shapes, patterns, lines and colors.</p>
Duration: 14 mins 51 seconds
Curves and Textures
<p>The curved seats of an ampitheater demonstrate the power of leading lines to draw the viewer's eye to the subject, while in the next scene the texture of moving water adds energy to the composition.</p>
Duration: 6 mins 38 seconds
Repeating Elements
<p>A series of repeating elements can often create a vanishing point within the frame that can be used as a strong compositional tool.</p>
Duration: 12 mins 33 seconds
Reiterate Toward a Photograph
<p>Pay careful attention to all of the elements that are included in the frame, but don't worry about nailing the shot on the first try. Start shooting, refine your lighting, change your position, interact with your subject, and work toward the composition you visualized in your mind's eye.</p>
Duration: 7 mins 55 seconds
Use Light to Improve Composition
<p>The way you light a scene has a big impact on the composition. Watch how David demonstrates how changing the lighting can improve the composition.</p>
Duration: 10 mins 33 seconds
Symmetrical Composition
<p>David wraps up the course with an example of how centering your subject in front of a symmetrical background can create a truly dynamic composition.</p>
Duration: 10 mins 30 seconds