[biochip]

What is composition?

Balanced
Unbalanced

Negative
Positive space

Having your eye travel all over the place

Can a picture not have composition ?

What do you think composition is/How were you first taught composition?

I just thought it was arranging stuff to make it look good. I want to be able to make a picture that�s unimaginable in its composition but I don�t really know what composition is. heh

http://www.epilogue.net/art/tech/jp_comp/ (Does anyone know of any more great tutorials like this?)

Any very good books I could get? And or links??

I�m trying to do searches but I�m not getting much so I thought I would ask�

http://www.valmoker.com/artistcorner-composition.html
http://www.cordair.com/denys/essays/composition.htm
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=003HKp
http://www.bigblackpig.com/painting/composition.html

So much to learn.. but its exciting.

[AndyT]

I'm not really sure what that means ...

[Ian Jones]

Also consider that you can make musical compositions, if you'd like to use that analogy. It's loosely defined as an arrangement of elements into a composed structure. Like andyT said.. you can have good or bad composition. Good composition is mostly a matter of practice and experience. Developing your 'eye' for good composition is something you'll learn over time. The theory's of balance, unity, negative and positive space, focal point, gestalt, juxtaposition etc... you could class them all under the same category of 'composition' since they are all relative. Each element of a picture is in it's own right a separate thing, yet at the same time part of the overall composition.

[liv the fish]

This link that you posted:

http://www.cordair.com/denys/essays/composition.htm

...has the best most complete information. The first one was just plain off. They only list 4 elements when there are more. And some of what they list are a person's ability to interpret 3D not elements of composition. 3D construction is how you achieve the illusion of 3D on a 2D surface (color, depth, perspective, etc.) not rules for constructing good composition. They're basically 2 different things you use to create an image. If you look at any 2D art, like some logos, you'll see that elements like depth don't always have to be in a compositionally pleasing image.

If you can read the cordair.com essay and understand it, you'll be doing good.

When I work on my image's composition, I work with balance first because my images are in thumbnail form at first. As I work through it, I'll start considering the other elements, especially color and unity. If you don't have unity, even if you have balance in your thumbnails or comps, you'll lose your balance down the road. I guess the hardest part is understanding how each element effects another. I usually focus on Contrast first and last. First I look at size contrast, then I look at color or black-and-white contrast as I work on and come to the end of a picture. Through most of the picture though, you must think about multiple elements at once so you don't forget about and mess up one of the elements you worked on earlier. But once you get used to thinking this way, it gets easier.

The main element I see missing in a lot of work is Contrast. Contrast is making your main element stronger than all the elements around it, to give that main element focus. Most beginning artists and graphic artists are so focused on form, value, and color that they often completely ignore this element. Contrast really goes hand in hand with Hierarchy, because both are concerned with focusing the viewers eye to specific picture location(s).

The most important thing to remember about composition, is that it's your tool for controlling the viewer's eye, as well as controlling emotional reactions. (For example, cold grey-blues and a person's head looking down and shadowed could suggest sadness and inner reflection. Causing the viewer's eye to focus to the left could create the feelings of anger, since in western culture the eye tends to scan left-to-right. Making the eye rest on the left side of an image often invokes conflicting feelings as the viewer really wants to remain on the right side.) It's how you get the viewer to look at the the parts you want them to look at and how you cause their eye to move around your image. Constantly moving isn't quite accurate. That seems to imply chaotic movement without rest. You usually want to accomplish rhythmic flow with a brief rest in the focus area.

You could still create a great looking image that doesn't conform to the elements of composition, but you'll be more frequently successful if you do follow most of the rules. Again, read that cordair.com essay several times and look at many examples until you start understanding it and can find each compositional element. Don't worry if you can't see each in every painting you see. Fine artists often ignore some elements to create discord in the viewer and evoke a specific response.

Good luck,
Brian H.
_________________
*This space for sale*

[kariefury]

My art teacher in studio in art said composition must have
foreground, middleground,background.

[AndyT]

[Ragnarok]

Probably means that it mustn't be "flat", it should have parts that are more visually appealing, some secondary objects and a background, a part where you look last.
Just my opinion, though.
_________________
"Ever forward, my darling wind." -Master Yuppa
Seigetsu

[Tom Luth]

<<<Can a picture not have composition ? >>>

I believe the closest you can come to that is a work with no conscious thought given to composition. Sort of like randomly pointing a camera and clicking, and later seeing what came out. Each picture will still have all the elements of composition, although most will likely be considered poor.

Likewise, one can start drawing a subject, with little or no concern for composition.

Also, I suspect there are many great artists who have an inate sense of composition, even though they have not studied. Sort of like musicians: there are people who have studied theory, can name and play every chord, every scale, etc., but cannot play a song without the sheet music in front of them. Then there are the musicians who can't name a single chord, but can hear a song, and immediately play it, and improvise excellent solos over it, not knowing anything more than "it sounded right." I'm sure many artists make decisions based on what feels right, not just following a set of rules.

Of course, the best system, I suspect, is to have this inate skill, plus the book-learning, and the ability to choose which rules to follow, and which to defy.
_________________
www.thomasluth.com

[biochip]

AndyT
Inside a frame, Yeah I understand. Like how whatever shape and size the paper is that your working on will effect everything your going to do to it. ..Because it limits you hmmm, it�s the frame.
Gestalt Theory? I don�t think I have, Ill look up links. Thank you for your reply and for the link also.
http://www.apogeephoto.com/mag1-6/mag2-3mf.shtml

Ian Jones
I don�t know much about music but I understand what your saying. Thank you for your reply

liv the fish
�accomplish rhythmic flow with a brief rest in the focus area", cool that�s something I will think about along with contrast, color and unity ect. Thank you, I was able to understand everything you wrote and it was a great help!

kariefury
Thanx

Ragnarok
Thanx

Tom Luth
�randomly pointing a camera and clicking� That�s a cool thought.
�inate sense of composition� I see, yeah Its the artist that makes the choices, having it feel right. Thank you.