How to train your eye to see creatively?

12 years 5 months ago #177728 by Number 7
Are there any really good self help books on how to teach yourself to see things more creatively? Even DVD's would be nice. Something to help me start framing up better shots, or to visualize how something would look with certain lighting.

Anything would help.

Thanks everyone

Robert


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12 years 5 months ago #177734 by gjtoth
Bryan Peterson's, "Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography" should do ya. goo.gl/yZUVj

~ Gary ~
The best camera is the one you have with you.
My gallery ===> toths.us/GJT
Feel free to comment & critique.

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12 years 5 months ago - 12 years 5 months ago #177736 by Baydream
Bryan Peterson has some unique views on the subject.
www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bryan+...HOBw&ved=0CDsQ8wIwAw

or a number of items here
www.adorama.com/alc/expert/249


(I type slower :P )

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork

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12 years 5 months ago - 12 years 5 months ago #178618 by Henry Peach
Taking the basic Design and Drawing classes at your local college will help a lot. I've recommended Drawing 101 to many of my friends. They always reply "But I can't draw!" It doesn't matter. The class is more about teaching you to see how the 3D world converts to 2D.

You can probably find similar material online also. Try some negative space exercises.

A book I enjoyed was "Perception and Imaging: Photography-A Way of Seeing" by Richard Zakia

"I am always mentally photographing everything as practice." -Minor White

When I'm out and about without a camera I sometimes pretend I'm photographing with an imaginary camera. I think that has really helped me.

A good exercise I remember from my Photography 101 class was called "3 times of day" by my professor. Find a convenient location, such as in your yard. Shoot the scene. Return to the location at least 2 more times, and shoot the exact same composition in different kinds of light. Lighting can be changed by time of day, season, weather, etc... For instance shoot in the morning, early afternoon, and at sunset. Shoot on sunny days and overcast days. Compare all the photos, and see how different lighting changes the appearance of the same scene.
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12 years 5 months ago #178634 by cod

Chris O'Donoghue
Winnipeg, Canada
codonoghue.prosite.com

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12 years 5 months ago #178844 by Trilby
I listened to a podcast in which going on a photo shoot without a camera was suggested. I tried, just went for my usual walk with a notebook basically. When I saw a scene that grabbed me, I wrote down why it grabbed me, and how I'd shoot it if I had a camera. It's amazing how much more thought I put into a scene without the camera at the ready.

My photography teacher who I greatly respect drummed into us that looking at the work of others is one of the greatest tools in learning to see creatively.

Here's a link to the podcasts in question, I highly recommend them and the 'Photographic Meditations' is particularly relevant to this question.

itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/masterclass-...tography/id477845485

There is no black & white; it's all 18% grey.
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12 years 5 months ago #178856 by sleeper54

Trilby wrote: --snip--

Here's a link to the podcasts in question, I highly recommend them and the 'Photographic Meditations' is particularly relevant to this question.

itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/masterclass-...tography/id477845485

.
this content/series and more is available at youtube ...for those who are not itunes-enabled.

Search for theartofphotography. . . .oh h3ll . . .here is a link...

The Art of Photography


...tom...


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12 years 5 months ago #178859 by Scotty
If I may make a suggestion.

Use a prime, and get in close, don't shoot wide.


Use rules of 3rd's on simple objects and things will open up to you.

When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.

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12 years 5 months ago #178911 by Todays Photos
For me, I'll take one lens out, which is usually my fish eye lens and I'll just sit somewhere in the city. Let the city air surround me, look around at all the different angles, and shapes that surrounds everyday. And then I start shooting interesting shots, creative angles etc..


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12 years 5 months ago #178932 by Henry Peach

Trilby wrote: My photography teacher who I greatly respect drummed into us that looking at the work of others is one of the greatest tools in learning to see creatively.


:agree: and not just photography. I visit every gallery and art museum I can as often as I can. It's also good to view your own photos. Get them printed and hang them on your walls. Rotate/change out photos often.
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12 years 5 months ago #178934 by Henry Peach
Try to stop thinking of your subject as the thing to be aimed at and photographed. Start thinking of it as just another shape or collection of shapes. Every shape in the frame must be considered, even those that are not part of the main subject matter. When converting the 3D world to 2D remember that even empty space that we normally ignore becomes a shape that must be considered.
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12 years 5 months ago #179479 by icepics
Some great suggestions Henry. I'm not familiar with those titles COD but think I'll take a look at them, thanks.

I took art classes in high school/college and workshops since; I think that ended up being helpful with photography. I too would suggest studying 'the masters' - Ansel Adams was the first I remember reading up on years ago (I haven't done landscapes particularly but do quite a bit of B&W). Kertesz is my favorite, and I like Brassai, Strand; modern art and the Dutch masters and Vermeer's use of light. If you find a photographer or artist whose work you can relate to that could be a good starting point.

Going to museums is great, and many also have parts of their collections or exhibitions online for study. You might also see what you find at the library before you get into buying a lot of how-to books; I think some of those tend to give tips but don't necessarily help you understand what you're doing so you can apply it to a variety of situations.

Sharon
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