Improve Your Photography - Part 8, Colours, Shapes and Patterns

Introduction

With the knowledge gained from recognising the different types of light and the basics of
composition, the next level is to start applying these skills in the great outdoors. We are
blessed with a climate that begs to be photographed and I always believe it a sin not to take
advantage of the great weather that we have. This section is dedicated to showing you how to
take better images of everyday scenes. Pictures that we like to take while on holiday, portraits
of your children, and other examples are covered to help you enjoy your photography more.

The section is broken up into three headings:

1. Colour, shapes and patterns
2. People, portraits, candids and action
3. Travel, holiday and landscapes

1. Colour, shapes and patterns

Our eyes see a multitude of colours and shapes every day. The secret is to be able to
recognize the ones that compliment each other and then frame them in an image. Below are a
few types of ways to create balance in an image. The more you recognize such shapes
patterns and colours, the more your mind will be stimulated; It’s an ongoing learning process.
To be able to train your eye is an essential part of improving your eye for colour, shape and
patterns.

Balance by colour- Eyes are attracted to colour. A small area of bright colour can balance a
much larger area of duller colour. Typically, your three primary colours of red, green and
blue compliment each other and one another.

Balance by value – the contrast between light and dark often makes for a nice balance

Balance by shape – complicated shapes are much more interesting to the eye and it lingers
on it compared to simple shapes.

Balance by texture – a variegated dark and light pattern is much more interesting than a
smooth pattern

Balance by position – a large item closer to the center of an image can be balanced by a
smaller item closer to the edge. In western art a heavier subject is placed on the left and
balanced by a smaller item on the right due to the fact that we read from left to right.

Balance by eye direction – heavier elements can direct your eye towards a smaller item

Patterns

Patterns occur naturally, we just need to look to find them. Again it is a matter of training
your eye. Flowers on a bush can make for very simple patters in a natural setting, whilst
people can be placed behind one another to make a pattern for an image.

Patterns are typically seen as:
• Repeat of the same form or shape. Triangles and circles are often repeated in nature
• The repetition of lines
• Repetition of a structure
• People behind one another
• Stacks of objects piled up together
• A row of buildings
• A stand of trees

Patterns can also be isolated and reflected as an abstract. Most abstracts are derived from
close ups of repetitive forms.
For more information on Photography courses and how to improve your photography see here.

All text copyright C4 Images and Safaris