The Frame. Exercise 7: Positioning the horizon

The horizon naturally divides a landscape between sky and land usually in a straight line.  If there are no other elements in the picture the positioning of the horizon or this line is very important. 

For this exercise I took a series of shots with the horizon in different positions.  Below are the results.

Centrally

This makes for a very static composition with little movement.

Prominance to the foreground

I don't feel the foreground is interesting enough to take up so much of the image.  If the shot had more in the foreground this would be a suitable composition.

2/3 sky and 1/3 land

In this shot the sky is very angry and is more interesting than the foreground so this composition works well.

Prominance in the background

This shot takes in even more of the angry sky and gives a greater sense of movement and tension in the shot.

This is the composition that works best for this particular shot.

From studying art at school I am usually use the rule of thirds to compose landscape shots.  This is my first time breaking that rule and shooting very little of the foreground and then very little of the sky. 

If you have an interesting foreground and if the sky is very dull I think it works best to include more foreground in the shot.  However, if your sky is where all the action is including as little as possible of the foreground makes for a dynamic shot.



The Frame. Exercise 6: Balance

It is important for a picture to have balance.  Here I have selected 6 pictures I have already taken and highlighted how the balance works in each one through the use of a 'weighing-scale' sketch.  

In general I found that the more content in the pictures the harder it was to work out the balance.  Simple composition leads to a simple balance.  I do tend to keep my pictures simple and not busy but this exercise proved that this isn't always the case!

The Frame. Exercise 5: Focal lengths with different viewpoints

This exercise explored the way in which different lenses give you different views and perspectives.

I had to take a picture of something with depth so I chose a building.  Then I had to take a shot of the building with my lens at its maximum focal length.  Then I had to walk towards the building and take a shot with the lens at its widest angle. 

105mm

18mm

When I got closer to the building I found that I got more of the lower part of the building too.  The perspective when up close shooting at a wide angle is very different to shooting further away using a telephoto.  The building shot at the wide angle looks taller and more imposing and slightly distorted.  The lower part of the image is much wider than the top part making the building look very pointed.

I also tried this exercise using a pylon to see what effect it would have.  The pylon shot at a wide angle looks taller and the perspective is also distorted. 

Shooting at a wide angle and up close would be useful if you are trying to exaggerate how tall your subject is.  I would also like to try this with a person as the subject.  All I have to do is find a willing model. 

105mm

18mm

The Frame. Exercise 4: Focal Lengths

This exercise required me to take a series of shots with some details in the distance that I could zoom in on to show that as the focal length gets longer the angle of view closes in. 

I wasn't able to use my tripod to take these shots.  However, I did place the camera on a wall in front of the scene. 

I used my 18-105mm lens.

20mm

52mm

105mm

At 105mm the building is and bridge are bigger.  After close scrutiny I found that the building in the wide angle shot was smaller but identical to the telephoto one.

The Frame. Exercise 3: Sequence of Composition

This had to be the most challenging project so far.  I went to Old Spitalfields Market in London on a busy Thursday afternoon to take these pictures.  Thursday is antique day at the market and I was hoping to find some interesting subjects to capture.

I travelled to Liverpool Street station to get to Spitalfields. 

When you come out of the station there is a sign directing you to the market. 

One of the main entrances to the market leading staraight to the antiques.

I liked the pattern and writing on the gate so I moved in to get a close up.

Above the gate you can see the Old Spitalfields Market sign in the brick work.

First thoughts on entering the market - wow this is big!

I zoomed in for a close up of the stalls...

And for a trader in action...

And a buyer at the antique metal stall, although she doesn't look too happy.  And she looks like she's just put something in her pocket.

Moving on, I came across this car outside the shop Traffic People.

The antiques were a little disappointing to be honest.  However, this mannequin caught my eye.  Not sure how much a naked life size doll goes for these days! 

After the antiques, I move into the clothes market which is on most days. 

Lots of clothes!

And leather bags.

Some of the traders don't seem to be too busy.

And there are still some stalls left to rent.

I get a close up of the hats for sale.

And shoes.  The sun is shinning through the glass roof and I like the light in this shot. 

Hats for the gentlemen... and also my favourite shot.

I think it is a bit late coming across the Spitalfields guides and map now. 

One of the many places to eat.  This one is a little off the beaten track so away from the hustle and bustle of the market.

This boutique displays its summer dresses.

The mat shop. The vast array of colours drew me in.

The florist tending to her plants. It was nice to see some greenery after all those clothes!

I saw this old coffee shop/restaurant off one of the side streets and had to get a shot.

And a close up of those baskets.

Getting there is easy with a Boris bike.

The exit or another entrance on Bishopsgate. 

Lessons leaned:

• This exercise made me think more objectively about the pictures I take.
• Taking a shot from the moment you catch sight of a possible subject helps you get the shot that is just right.  I found that I saw more the more I shot.
• It is not as easy as I initially thought to take pictures of people that you don't know.  Some were very hostile indeed.