EX66 Talking about the Elements of Composition
On Tuesday I presented the first part of the Composition Course live to a the largest online audience I have spoken too. We covered the Elements of Art and the Elements of Composition. I will include the slides I used from my presentation here for you to reference them easily and a copy of the presentation as a video too.
This weeks exercise is to encourage you to write about your art and the art of others using these concepts and terms. To make this easier for yourself, I recommend choosing one of these elements to work on, and to create photographs around that concept. Go for one you usually avoid or don’t use very often. This will be very helpful for your work in the long term. You may even try more than one. As always I encourage you to go and create new photographs for this exercise.
It is probably impossible to create an artwork that exclusively only uses one of these elements. So when we are writing about them, we will be referencing many of the ideas.
When you upload your photograph write about what you are trying to achieve and how it is making you feel using these terms and concepts.
Please only put one photograph with each topic and with the words. Please also give your photographs a title. This will make it easier when others comment and add their versions of what they are seeing using the elements to add more depth to your work. They can reference you and the title of the photograph.
I want us to practice using these terms, and to think about photography and art within these terms. This will expand our visual literacy and vocabulary with composition.
We will discuss the photographs posted in the Len’s Club forum on Friday in our weekly gathering at one pm Sydney time.
South West Rocks
In this photograph I am exploring the tonally relationships in the landscape that create depth. I find the line between the tones that leads the viewers eye back into the photograph one of the key elements of the artwork. The photograph is a study in the hue of blue, with just a hint of warmth of rise on the horizon.
The hues give the photograph a somber and contemplative feel. Fond memories of standing on that beach during an Abstract Workshop with Shirley Steel and some very dear friends. A time of great productivity for me as an artist and as a teacher. I find I let go and produce beautiful art once the group settles and starts creating beautiful art. It is contagious and spreads through me as well. The trick is relaxing so that it can flow through me too.
I am still unsure as whether I love this photograph or not. I ask myself about the wonky horizon and the white dot on the edge of the frame. Is this photograph even worthy of consideration. I remind myself that time will give me the answers I am looking for. Your comments on this photograph will be appreciated.
Text, video and photographs copyright © Len Metcalf 2020
Video recording of our discussion about the works of art submitted in our community forum.
