The Talmud

"We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are"
-The Talmud


from Michael Busselle Photographer

Composition

The Human eye is seldom, if ever, at rest while the observer is looking at anything. It darts rapidly from one point of intrest to another, focusing at different planes if a three-demensional object is being viewed. And usually the observer is unaware that this is happening.

Artists, including photographers, have always been cognizant of this rapid eye motion. Deliberately, even subliminally, they direct the eye to focus on the subject they wish to emphasize.

One basic fact must be remembered: The human eye sees selectively, or subjectively: the camera sees objectively. The camera records three dimensions as two-- height and width: depth can only be implied. Still cameras take still photographs; motion is lacking, although it can be suggested. The emphasis must be supplied; the viewer must be forced to see what the photographer wants him to see.

The emphasis is achieved through subject placement , lighting, shading, framing, simplifying, perspective, scale, motion direction, repetition, balance, form, selective focus.
by Tom Hicks on fredmiranda, Nov 05