Photography 1: The Art of Photography

Project: Points
Exercise: Positioning a Point.

For this exercise 3 photographs were taken in which there is a single point, placed in a different part of the frame in each example.

Central.jpg; Nikon D300; 18-105mm lens; F13; 1/160s

In this photograph the derelict industrial building is a strong point in the photograph.  It is a single focal point in the image that draws the eye very strongly.  It therefore fulfils the basic function of a point of focussing the attention.  The composition is quite static as the point divides the frame equally side to side and top to bottom.  The horizon creates a weak sense of movement by drawing the attention towards the point from the sides.  With the building placed centrally in the frame it gives it a feeling of isolation.

Off Centre.jpg; Nikon D300; 18-105mm lens; F18; 1/1250s

In this photograph the shipping marker at the entrance to the harbour is a strong point in the photograph.  It is a single focal point in the image that draws the eye very strongly.  It therefore fulfils the basic function of a point of focussing the attention.  There is a good sense of movement as the cliff line draws the attention towards the point from the sides.  This image is less static than the previous one as it is divided on approximately a "third" by the point.  Unfortunately there is little in the photograph to balance the point.

Edge.jpg; Nikon D300; 18-105mm lens; F13; 1/160s

In this photograph the statue is a strong point in the photograph.  It is a single focal point in the image that draws the eye very strongly.  It therefore fulfils the basic function of a point of focussing the attention.  There is a good sense of movement as the hedge lines draw the attention towards the point from the sides and there is movement due to the point being placed close to one edge of the frame.  There is a reasonable balance in the photograph with the hedge bank on the right hand side providing a balance to the statue.

What did I learn from the exercise?

For an object in a frame to be a strong point it must be sufficiently small  and distinct.  It must provide a single focal point and draw the eye very strongly.  The basic function of a point is to focus the attention.

A sense of movement in a photograph is created by drawing attention towards the point from the sides.  The strength of this sense of movement is proportional to the distance from each side.

A point implies a division of the frame.