Point & Shoot Contest #31 - Composition

toylas · 05-01-2010, 07:58 PM

Theme - "Composition"

The emphasis should be on composition. Here is what I mean

"The image should be as simplistic/minimal as possible relying mostly on the composition of the image. The use of empty spaces, rule of 3rds, sense of motion in the composition or even breaking the formal rules of composition if you can find a *bohemian* composition." Maybe some familiar subject with a different view. The emphasis should be solely on how to present a common situation in an interesting way.

*Preferably no* or slight post-processing. Color/contrast adjustments, rotate/crop etc are fine. I think this would help bring out the real strength of composition.

It would be nice if you added a line or two describing what you had in mind when you took the picture.

THE RULES
1. Have fun!
2. No 35mm, APS, or 4/3 SLR/DSLR cameras allowed. 110 film SLRs, 35mm and smaller rangefinder/viewfindercameras are allowed. No medium or large format cameras allowed.
3. Entries will close on May 30th, 2010.
4. Maximum image dimensions are 800x800 pixels.
5. List camera brand, model with entry for all to see.
6. THEME: "Composition"
7. Max of 3 photographs per person.
8. Winner will set up and judge next contest.

Let's get rolling with our P&S's friends

Last edited by toylas; 05-08-2010 at 08:34 AM.

toylas · 05-01-2010, 08:11 PM

Just some examples to show what I have on my mind. These are not necessarily taken with P&S cameras but are just some examples of what I have on mind.

The common feature of all these examples is that these are usual common things/situations that I see, which I tried to present in either a different way or a minimal way. I had to think a lot about composition for these shots.

I wanted to use the inward drawing lines to draw the viewer's attention towards the center and wanted to use the train as a part of the lines too. Taken with my A590IS, sharpened and sepia conversion done in GIMP

I wanted to emphasize the afternoon shadows of the tables and/or chairs at the coffee shop and kinda liked the way the shadow of this table merged well with the legs of the table giving it an alien feeling. Taken with my D80, slight crop and B&W conversion done in GIMP

I wanted to show the drummer and the drum in a minimal way and wanted the emphasis to be on the drum and the sticks. Somehow this compo seemed to give me that. Taken with D80, square crop and slight sepia cast done in GIMP

I wanted to present a different angle to the familiar game and this macro shot kinda gave a different and dizzying view of the game. Taken with a friend's Canon S3 IS, B&W conversion done in GIMP

Hope these help explain what I have on my mind.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, ENJOY TAKING PICTURES AND SHARING THEM

toylas · 05-05-2010, 11:51 AM

Let's see some posts guys...

unixrevolution · 05-06-2010, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by toylas

Let's see some posts guys...

Film's still at the lab...maybe this afternoon

Bart · 05-08-2010, 02:16 AM

Toylas, your examples aren't helping any

Difficult act to follow!

Nevertheless, I came up with these:

Along the pier

Pretty minimalistic, I think. Some symmetry and contrast between the darker pier on the right and the lighter pier on the left.
A sense of depth by the couple waking towards the end and the little boat on its way to sea.

Into the harbour

Actually, this is the view looking back from the first photo.
Again, minimalistic. What I found interesting here, are the lines formed by the rows of pylons in the water, leading to the constructions on the end.
(a monument for WW 1 - this is Nieuwpoort, Belgium - and a hotel)

Weed

All credits go to mother nature for this one. A 'simple' weed can proof to be a complex construction.

All pictures were, as always, taken with Panasonic FX500.

toylas · 05-08-2010, 08:30 AM

Very nice pictures Bart!! I think you got the idea exactly right.

Sorry if my examples were confusing. I just wanted to share some examples where I thought a lot about composition and feel that composition is the only important element in those, not image quality, not processing. Just familiar subjects with a little different composition/view.

I hope this clarifies things for others who might be confused. I have added some more (italicized) description in the original posts too. Please let me know if that reduces the confusion.

Bart · 05-08-2010, 09:49 AM

Not confusing, toylas.
I just wanted to indicate that your examples are very, very good!
And therefore difficult to follow with my meager entries

unixrevolution · 05-09-2010, 08:05 PM

"Wheel", shot with Balda Baldamatic II 35mm Rangefinder, 45mm lens, 1/500th at F/16 on Fuji Superia 400.

toylas · 05-13-2010, 11:45 AM

Nice image unixrevolution! The colors are really nice. Could you also explain what you had on your mind when you took the picture?

unixrevolution · 05-15-2010, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by toylas

Nice image unixrevolution! The colors are really nice. Could you also explain what you had on your mind when you took the picture?

I was shooting the ferris wheel from a distance, and I thought a closer shot from the side where the sun was hitting it would be more interesting. I was pleased with the colors of the cars, so I lined up an interesting composition and took it.

The ferris wheel was from a travelling carnival, and I was actually in my car at the time. Good thing I drive a convertible

KevinR · 05-16-2010, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by toylas

Let's see some posts guys...

Shot by my daughter on Canon SX120IS while on her school trip to USA, touring NY and Boston. I thought it was good composition.

**xs400** · 05-17-2010, 12:51 PM

Shot taken while riding my motorcycle in central California using a Panasonic DMC-FX150. Looks like I was going about 65mph at the time.

Here's a self portrait.

unixrevolution · 05-20-2010, 07:15 PM

"Self-Portrait in Shadow"

Pentax Optio A40, Program AE, 1/60, f/2.8 ISO 100.

toylas · 05-22-2010, 11:49 PM

Nice pictures Kevin, Frank and unixrevolution!

Come on guys. where are others?

KevinR · 05-23-2010, 09:12 AM

Here another from my daughters collection. Canon SX120IS

05-01-2010, 07:58 PM	#1
toylas Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 27	Point & Shoot Contest #31 - Composition Theme - "Composition" The emphasis should be on composition. Here is what I mean "The image should be as simplistic/minimal as possible relying mostly on the composition of the image. The use of empty spaces, rule of 3rds, sense of motion in the composition or even breaking the formal rules of composition if you can find a bohemian composition." Maybe some familiar subject with a different view. The emphasis should be solely on how to present a common situation in an interesting way. Preferably no or slight post-processing. Color/contrast adjustments, rotate/crop etc are fine. I think this would help bring out the real strength of composition. It would be nice if you added a line or two describing what you had in mind when you took the picture. THE RULES 1. Have fun! 2. No 35mm, APS, or 4/3 SLR/DSLR cameras allowed. 110 film SLRs, 35mm and smaller rangefinder/viewfindercameras are allowed. No medium or large format cameras allowed. 3. Entries will close on May 30th, 2010. 4. Maximum image dimensions are 800x800 pixels. 5. List camera brand, model with entry for all to see. 6. THEME: "Composition" 7. Max of 3 photographs per person. 8. Winner will set up and judge next contest. Let's get rolling with our P&S's friends Last edited by toylas; 05-08-2010 at 08:34 AM.

05-01-2010, 08:11 PM	#2
toylas Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 27 Original Poster	Just some examples to show what I have on my mind. These are not necessarily taken with P&S cameras but are just some examples of what I have on mind. The common feature of all these examples is that these are usual common things/situations that I see, which I tried to present in either a different way or a minimal way. I had to think a lot about composition for these shots. I wanted to use the inward drawing lines to draw the viewer's attention towards the center and wanted to use the train as a part of the lines too. Taken with my A590IS, sharpened and sepia conversion done in GIMP I wanted to emphasize the afternoon shadows of the tables and/or chairs at the coffee shop and kinda liked the way the shadow of this table merged well with the legs of the table giving it an alien feeling. Taken with my D80, slight crop and B&W conversion done in GIMP I wanted to show the drummer and the drum in a minimal way and wanted the emphasis to be on the drum and the sticks. Somehow this compo seemed to give me that. Taken with D80, square crop and slight sepia cast done in GIMP I wanted to present a different angle to the familiar game and this macro shot kinda gave a different and dizzying view of the game. Taken with a friend's Canon S3 IS, B&W conversion done in GIMP Hope these help explain what I have on my mind. MOST IMPORTANTLY, ENJOY TAKING PICTURES AND SHARING THEM Last edited by toylas; 05-08-2010 at 08:39 AM.

05-08-2010, 08:30 AM	#6
toylas Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 27 Original Poster	Very nice pictures Bart!! I think you got the idea exactly right. Sorry if my examples were confusing. I just wanted to share some examples where I thought a lot about composition and feel that composition is the only important element in those, not image quality, not processing. Just familiar subjects with a little different composition/view. I hope this clarifies things for others who might be confused. I have added some more (italicized) description in the original posts too. Please let me know if that reduces the confusion. Last edited by toylas; 05-08-2010 at 08:37 AM.

05-16-2010, 10:44 AM	#11
KevinR Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 653	Originally posted by toylas Let's see some posts guys... Shot by my daughter on Canon SX120IS while on her school trip to USA, touring NY and Boston. I thought it was good composition. Attached Images

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05-05-2010, 11:51 AM	#3
toylas Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 27 Original Poster	Let's see some posts guys...

05-06-2010, 11:17 AM	#4
unixrevolution Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waldorf, MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,861	Originally posted by toylas Let's see some posts guys... Film's still at the lab...maybe this afternoon

05-08-2010, 02:16 AM	#5
Bart Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: WW community of Pentax users Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,646	Toylas, your examples aren't helping any Difficult act to follow! Nevertheless, I came up with these: Along the pier Pretty minimalistic, I think. Some symmetry and contrast between the darker pier on the right and the lighter pier on the left. A sense of depth by the couple waking towards the end and the little boat on its way to sea. Into the harbour Actually, this is the view looking back from the first photo. Again, minimalistic. What I found interesting here, are the lines formed by the rows of pylons in the water, leading to the constructions on the end. (a monument for WW 1 - this is Nieuwpoort, Belgium - and a hotel) Weed All credits go to mother nature for this one. A 'simple' weed can proof to be a complex construction. All pictures were, as always, taken with Panasonic FX500.

05-08-2010, 09:49 AM	#7
Bart Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: WW community of Pentax users Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,646	Not confusing, toylas. I just wanted to indicate that your examples are very, very good! And therefore difficult to follow with my meager entries

05-09-2010, 08:05 PM	#8
unixrevolution Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waldorf, MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,861	"Wheel", shot with Balda Baldamatic II 35mm Rangefinder, 45mm lens, 1/500th at F/16 on Fuji Superia 400.

05-13-2010, 11:45 AM	#9
toylas Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 27 Original Poster	Nice image unixrevolution! The colors are really nice. Could you also explain what you had on your mind when you took the picture?

05-15-2010, 10:38 PM	#10
unixrevolution Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waldorf, MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,861	Originally posted by toylas Nice image unixrevolution! The colors are really nice. Could you also explain what you had on your mind when you took the picture? I was shooting the ferris wheel from a distance, and I thought a closer shot from the side where the sun was hitting it would be more interesting. I was pleased with the colors of the cars, so I lined up an interesting composition and took it. The ferris wheel was from a travelling carnival, and I was actually in my car at the time. Good thing I drive a convertible

05-17-2010, 12:51 PM	#12
xs400 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,936	Shot taken while riding my motorcycle in central California using a Panasonic DMC-FX150. Looks like I was going about 65mph at the time. Here's a self portrait.

05-20-2010, 07:15 PM	#13
unixrevolution Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waldorf, MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,861	"Self-Portrait in Shadow" Pentax Optio A40, Program AE, 1/60, f/2.8 ISO 100.

05-22-2010, 11:49 PM	#14
toylas Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 27 Original Poster	Nice pictures Kevin, Frank and unixrevolution! Come on guys. where are others?