Lens-Artists Challenge #289: Tools of Photo Composition
Do you stop and think before you hit the shutter button in your camera? What drives you to capture an image? This week, John (Journeys with Johnbo) comes up with an exciting challenge about the tools of photo composition. He asks us to consider these four elements in photography: shape, form, texture, and light.
I confess I was intimidated when I read about the challenge. Part of that was because I photograph things I like without thinking whether those composition tools are present. The reality is that what attracts me first in a scene is often one of those elements or all of them. When you look at the first image above, do you see one or maybe all of those elements? Well, I do. I see the arches and ceiling rectangles (shapes), columns and light fixtures (forms), columns and wall textures (textures), and the shadows all around (light). You have seen similar scenes when shooting around your favorite areas.
Let’s walk around the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin. You will see how much shape, form, texture, and light can be found there. Take a look at the museum’s atrium in the following two photos. The wall textures are evident in the first photo, especially when looking at the photo’s left side. Once again, you have various rectangles in the ceiling, steps, and lines on the handrail and wall design. Light is coming through the glass on the ceiling and around the steps. You may need to click on each photo to see its larger size with more detail.
The impressive Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin installation is outside the museum’s main building. That is a fascinating building. When you go inside, you cannot escape its allure with shapes, forms, textures, and light all around you. Because of the glass windows on various building walls, the inside light changes throughout the day.
One recent addition to the museum was the installation of petal-like structures right outside the Blanton’s main entrance. The museum’s director, Simone Wicha, said she could not wait for visitors to experience “the stunning shade canopy.” She referred to the twelve three-story tall “petals” in my photos below. Those petals create a dappled light effect on the ground when the sun shines. You can see the light filtering through the holes in the structures and the shadows they create. On rainy days, the petals catch rainwater used to irrigate native plants. When you look at the next photo, your eyes may deceive you into thinking it is only a series of flat panels.
However, as you look at the other following images, you can see the fluid forms and how smooth the structures are. You can also see the shadows the sunlight casts through the holes. It is a mesmerizing creation by the architecture firm Snøhetta.
What started as a daunting task for me ended up being extremely pleasing. Finding photo compositional tools in several of my photos, particularly in one location, was very rewarding for me. I hope you have enjoyed seeing these photos, too.
I had a really good time last week when I went window shopping with Ritva’s Lens-Artists challenge. Your photos were excellent and creative. This week, John challenges us to show our explorations with shape, form, texture, and light. Please leave a comment on the host’s original challenge post, and make sure you use the hashtag “lens-artists” in your post.
Join us next week when Ann-Christine will introduce a new Lens-Artists challenge. We look forward to your joining our challenges. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
PR
What a lovely place to be at, Egidio 🙂. Great shots. The corridor is my favorite!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, PR. Yes, that corridor was the first view I noticed.
Leya
Excellent photography of outstandingly beautiful new architecture. I understand why you don’t think of elements for composition – it all comes natural to you. There is a pleasing satisfaction about finding what you need in the same place too, isn’t there? This is a great post.
Egídio Leitão
Ann-Christine, thank you for your compliment. You are so right about finding the elements of composition in our photos. It’s wonderful. Thanks, again.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Wonderful examples from this museum you showcased us, Egidio. Really striking architectural captures that are shot with skill. Even without thinking about composition you got them right
Egídio Leitão
Ritva, thank you very much for your compliment. I think some of those elements are ingrained in my brain now.
Yanti
Beautiful architectural photos, Egidio! The stairs with bluish walls and yellow lighting is my favorite~
I, too, took picture without consciously considering the aspects of composition, but if I look back and try to analyze the photos it makes me excited to find that “oh! I see what John means there!” haha…
thank you for sharing, Egidio! 🙂
Egídio Leitão
Yanti, that feeling when we see the elements of composition in our photos is very rewarding. Thanks for your kind words.
boromax
These are fabulous! ~Ed.
Egídio Leitão
Ed, thank you kindly for your praise.
Aletta - nowathome
Excellent photos Egidio!
Egídio Leitão
Thank you for the feedback, Aletta.
Aletta - nowathome
You’re welcome 😁
SoyBend
Beautiful pictures of that corridor, Egidio! Like you, I don’t always think of the composition ahead of time. If it feels right, I click. 🙂
Egídio Leitão
Siobhan, that is very reassuring. Thank you.
pattimoed
Like you, I often shoot images instinctively without really analyzing whether they contain elements of composition! I was also pleasantly surprised that some of my favorite images did in fact have some/all of the “tools” that John is featuring. You picked wonderful examples from this museum, Egidio. Really striking architectural captures!
Egídio Leitão
Patti, thank you so much for your supportive feedback. I appreciate that.
restlessjo
The petals fascinate, and I absolutely love your opening photo, Egidio.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for your compliment, Jo.
I. J. Khanewala
Beautiful set of photos. I love this post
Egídio Leitão
I.J., I am happy you liked the post. Thanks for writing.
JohnRH
Great photos. Outstanding choices.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks so much, John.
Cee Neuner
Marvelous post for this week. 😀 😀
Egídio Leitão
Many thanks, Cee. I appreciate your feedback.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Gorgeous images Egidio and I especially love the way you captured the petal art piece from different angles 😊
Egídio Leitão
Xenia, thank you for your compliment.
Brad
That museum is a great place to experiment with the elements of composition. Great job Egidio. The petals are very interesting too.
Egídio Leitão
Brad, many thanks for your feedback.
Anne Sandler
Oh My Gosh! Yes, initials just won’t do for this post Egidio. The petal art piece is simply fantastic and so well photographed. Well done!
Egídio Leitão
Anne, thank you for your complimentary words. Much gratitude!
photobyjohnbo
What a wonderful place to visit, Egidio! These are great examples for the theme. I’d love to visit that shade area. It is a photographer’s dream for interesting shapes and forms.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, John. Yes, the shaded area is great. I got those images this past November. I went there with that purpose to check out that area.
philosophy through photography
Love these two images.
Beautifully captured!
I never look for any composition.
I Just shoot, shoot and shoot😀😂 and then think later 😂🤣
Maybe that is not the correct approach as per the experts.
Habits die hard!
Egídio Leitão
Thank you, Philo. I think the approach you and I use is really a good one. We like what we see and shoot.
philosophy through photography
Thank you, Egidio.
I am glad, I have a great company in you.
Toonsarah
That looks a great museum! I love those ‘petals’ 🙂 And your shots show that whether you realise it or not you are using those tools in your compositions – I think we all do so quite unthinkingly much of the time.
Egídio Leitão
Sarah, that was my intent. Thank you so much for your comment.
Wind Kisses
Blanton Museum was great place to take us, Egidio. All the elements presenting themselves to you, loud and clear. All the detail you captured was true art through your lens. The petals were fascinating. Our last cruise had a restaurant with a similar design, A new boat, and I am now wondering if it was also designed by Snøhetta. Yes, this challenge had the potential of being tough and you presented it with such ease. Your photos always speak to you, don’t they? They do to us as well. So nice.
Egídio Leitão
Donna, I am so happy you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for your feedback. Your words warmed my heart. Much gratitude. What a coincidence about the architecture firm! As for the photos speaking to me, I guess that is what makes me use the shutter button.
Teresa
Love your take on the topic!
Egídio Leitão
Teresa, thank for the feedback.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Mi piacciono molto le tue foto di simmetrie, angoli e scorci. Ben fatto! Buona domenica!
Egídio Leitão
Sono molto felice di sapere che ti è piaciuto. Grazie mille! Buon weekend.
margaret21
Gosh, the Blanton Museum did you proud, and you did it proud. I too feel intimidated by this challenge, but you have offered a text book response – in a really good way.
Egídio Leitão
Margaret, that museum is really wonderful. I’m very happy that my post helped you with your response. Thank you for letting me know.
Rupali
A wonderful tour to the museum. Love the way you frame these images.
Egídio Leitão
Rupali, thank you so much for your feedback.
Sofia Alves
Sometimes we just over think things and then it’s clear there’s nothing to panic about. This is one of such challenges 😀 Love your post, Egídio. You have great finds for this theme and they are beautifully captured. The two photos inside Blanton are perfect for me.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you so much, Sofia. You are so right about the overthinking element. I appreciate your compliment. I liked that I was able to find all examples in one location.