Line, Form, & Texture - and Throw in Some Color

Sometimes the light just isn't there...too bland...to harsh...too dark...too bright. Sometimes I'm just not seeing it...nothing is really working for me.  When that happens, so I can jump start the creative juices, I often look for Line, Form & Texture.  By doing so...the bad light often becomes instead of a problem...a solution.  Nature is full of all three.  Many times when I find the time to get out and about, my eye begins to wander and the first thing I often see is Line, Form, or Texture.  With a closer look, a composition materializes.

Line and Form can by themselves generate a great composition, but you have to work with them in a way as to create that unique, eye catching image.  Sometimes it's just a matter of position...sometimes angle...and other times contrast...  How you place those lines and forms on the page makes all the difference.

The form itself will often have its own set of lines...usually along the outer rim.  They can be abrupt, or soft..straight or curved...subtle or bold.  More often than not, it's how you create the image that determines what it will be.  That's where being able to see beyond the obvious comes into play.  Many times the form or lines are not readily seen, but with a bit of visualization, they suddenly appear.

Texture on the other hand can be difficult to capture effectively.  It almost always must be photographed in conjunction with Line and Form...but it can be in almost limitless abundance...if you train your eye to look for it.  Also remember that color, or more importantly contrasts of color...light and dark...vibrating color schemes...bold vs subtle...will provide the context inside of which the lines and forms generate their energy.  Color always adds energy to every line and form photo...but it can also be simple black and white...or one color against a dark background combined with the line, form and texture of your subject that makes the image move across the line of sight of the viewer.

Photos that are primarily made up of Line or Form or Texture often take on that abstract look.  Nature is full of abstract situations.  The hard part is knowing how to see it.  We often get caught up looking for the big picture and miss the real picture.  This real picture may actually be a small and often subtle subset of the larger scene.  Over time, your eye will begin to lock onto those things...look beyond the obvious...but getting there takes practice and time.

One of the most effective ways to learn how to find line and form is to not take your camera at all, but simply walk around and look for those things where ever you go.  Go to the park, around your house, or ... it really doesn't matter where...be creative and start looking for things that have a unique form or shape everywhere you go, then think of ways you can capture it...what kind of exposure would you use to create a silhouette against the available background...what angle would you shoot it from...where would you place the image in the composition...what background would work best...how best to group the object(s)...How best to Isolate what is there...concentrate on what is exciting you about what you looking at...It's these kinds of thought processes you go through in order to see the forms and lines that are out there and be able to capture them using a photographic solution that is unique to how you are viewing the world around you.  Try it...I think you might like what you find.

Keith

The I's Have It

In most of the blog entries I've mostly written about this or that and maybe try this or that, but I've not actually said much about a methodology that can be used to help point the aspiring photographer toward bigger and better output.  So how do you go about developing the concepts or ideas that I've written about.  Well, everyone develops their own style of doing things and most of us work through those learning curves at our own pace.  Even so, there is a methodology I've used that can help a novice photographer take progressive steps toward more production photographically.  I call it  'The I Method'.

The I Method consists of six related concepts that progressively guides a novice photographer toward creating innovative photographs.

1.   Idea  

 2. Instinct

 3. Identify

4. Isolate

5. Invest

6. Inspire

Let's look at each one.

Idea:  Before you can truly take charge of your photography you should formulate an idea of what you want to accomplish.  Having a purpose for your photography helps you focus on not only the techniques and concepts of exposure, composition, and post processing, but helps you develop a vision.  With a vision of where you want to go, you will more likely find the enthusiasm required to get there.  Going at the craft of photography by simply relying on random chance...well...as I've said before...all you are accomplishing is playing the notes, when in reality what you are wanting to do is create wonderful music with emotion and feeling.

Instinct:  All of us possess our own preferences and interests.  By tapping into those interests, you will find it easier to become motivated to follow through.  Use your instincts to help you focus in where your stated purpose for your photography will take you.  If you instinctively enjoy sports, then maybe sports related photography may be the angle you should take.  If you enjoy nature, then nature photography might be a good directions.  If you are good with people and kids, then portrait and/or people photography could be a solution.  Go with your instincts and most of the time you will not be disappointed.

Identify:  Once you have formulated an Idea, now comes the time to do some research.  Identify potential opportunities for you to follow through with your idea.  If sports is you where you want to go, then check out local sporting events that may allow you access to the fields.  If people photography, then check out local or community events where you might be able to photograph performers or take candid shots.  Practice with your own kids, or the neighbors kids.  Identify as many opportunities as you can and then follow up on them.

Isolate:  Once you have an idea and have identified potential opportunities, it is probably a good idea to isolate specific things to focus in on.  Some ideas are very broad and to avoid being overwhelmed, it often helps to decide that this day or this week, I will concentrate on only one aspect of that idea.  Take the sports idea for instance.  There may be numerous high school and even college sporting venues going on along with little league or development leagues.  Pick one of the easier venues and give it a try...not just once or twice, but over a period of time to develop skill and technique.  Afterwards, you may want to branch out to a more advance situation.  The idea here is to focus your efforts into a manageable opportunity.

Invest:  There is no substitute for time afield.  Simply having an idea is not enough...you must allocate time to follow through with it.  Time afield also means to invest time researching...finding those opportunities...looking for potential locations or venues, then planning ahead to take advantage of them.  Look beyond the obvious when doing this...and always factor in lighting conditions.  What you see visually at the time you find a location may change dramatically with different light at different times of day...so try to visualize what a location will look like in different lighting conditions.

Inspire:  There is a difference between capturing simple memories and creating an image that inspires.  Inspiration comes from the heart and is often triggered by a creative vision.  When photographing nature, always think in terms of inspiring your viewer...not illustrating a text book.  Light is the key to generating those inspirational moments...Inspirational moments are often visualized by looking beyond the obvious...Looking beyond the obvious requires that you develop your unique vision and purpose for your photography.  Seeking to inspire is the engine that elevates your photography to the next level.


The idea behind the I's is to help establish a methodology that will guide you toward developing your own unique style of photography.  It's not an all inclusive stepping stone approach...just something to get you thinking differently about what you might be doing...and that after all...is what this blog is all about.

Keith