Have you ever looked at a photo or painting and wondered where the focus is? This week, Patti has us concentrating on our subject–the focus of our image. She’s showing us five ways to lead your viewer to the focal point and the reason, you snapped the shutter. I’ve chosen selective focus, negative space and leading line to demonstrate how I help lead my viewers to what caught my eye in the first place.

Leading Lines

I love to use leading lines. They don’t have to be straight as in my photos. Think of a curved road leading to a structure or horizon line. The architects of the Cottage in the California State Empire Mine State Historic Park and the Sundial Bridge made use of the leading line theory. Oh, the bridge does have a working sundial at the end.

Negative Space

Negative space does spotlight your subject. Most of my examples involve wildlife. Capturing a great blue heron in flight is no easy task with a 300 mm lens, so I’m happy when I can capture one. An eagle sitting on a branch is a bit easier and so majestic. The sky provides beautiful negative space, especially when there’s no clouds!

Selective Focus

Since I enjoy photographing macros so much, selective focus is a favorite of mine. Using a macro lens to photograph the edges of leaves and their texture is fun. So is going through a farmers’ market where you can zoom in to find vegetables that also have texture.

This was so much fun. Next time I take my camera out for a walk, I’m going to try other types of selective focus. Thanks Patti! When you post your response, please remember to link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week Tina encouraged us to experiment with the Rule of Three. I could tell from your responses you enjoyed creating your posts. Remember to stay healthy and be resilient!

44 thoughts on “Lens Artists Challenge #401: Master Your Photography”

  9. Definitely food for thought – something so important and easy to overlook. One thing I learned from a class I took is to consider the vertical and the horizontal – the diagonal is either a vertical or a horizontal depending on vertical or horizontal it is! All add interest to a picture. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. A beautiful gallery Anne, I especially love the way you used negative space when capturing this marvellous eagle ❤️ xxx

    Like

    Reply

  18. Hi Anne
    Well, that’s all quite conventional.
    Modern art taught us that if we don’t know where to focus, it brings dynamics to a picture. A clear or selective focus makes a picture rigid. That’s okay for documentation but not for more demanding arty images.
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I value your opinion, but I don’t quite understand what you are saying. My problem is that I’m not an artist and don’t know much about art. If I like it, I photograph it. How I compose a picture is the same. I move, or move my camera, around until I like the composition. I would never attempt to set up a still life!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment