Classical Art & Photography

Photography Tips

In terms of artistic mediums, photography is a relatively new form. Many of the composition techniques used by the Old Masters are major influences to the way we see and create photography in modern times. In the following hour and half long seminar artist and photographer Adam Marelli delivers an informative presentation on how photographers incorporate the ideas of artists of different mediums into their work as sure fire ways to improve the visual aesthetics of an image:

There are more than a few ways that studying fine art can shift the way you compose photographs for the better. By taking the time and paying attention to what some may consider a minor detail (e.g., background, shading, dominant eye, etc.) you can take a flat, boring image to vibrant and full of life with just some small adjustments. Here are some key points made by Marelli:

• Painters put the dominant eye in the center of the photograph. Steve McCurry used the same technique in his famous Afghan Girl portrait.
• Using a light subject against a dark background or a dark subject against a bright background will differentiate the two from one another, thus making it less confusing as to what the subject actually is.
• Keep the light and dark portions of your photograph balanced and in rhythm. In the Ansel Adams portrait below, you can see how he is a master at this.

The information presented in the seminar is a refreshing look at photography composition. The approach takes an outside-the-box-approach at the rule of thirds, leading lines, and other essential rules by breaking them down to a near science. Don’t be put off by the length of the video; there is a lot of information to take in, much of which you may be hearing for the first time. The clip is beneficial to photographers of all skill levels.