Posted on by Anne Sandler · 65 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #359: Tools of Photo Composition: Lines, Colors and Patterns

It’s amazing how we learn. In past posts I’ve said that I learn by doing and photo composition is no different, but there’s always something new to learn. Now John is giving us a lesson on the use of lines, patterns and color in photography.

Not taking any photography classes, I learned by experience and asking questions of other photographers. That’s when I first heard of the Rules of Thirds, negative space, etc. But they were just names to practices I was already doing. Maybe it was my working for 20 years with a graphic artist. And loving bright colors, that came naturally.

With that explained, here are my examples.

My love for photographing buildings yields many lines and patterns. I like the blue sky against the brown building.

Small town street.
The Barn = A concert venue
Window in an old house.
A rooftop capture.

Fabrics have lots of lines and patterns.

Have you noticed how stairs can also have patterns and circular lines?

I can’t forget ICM! Lines and patterns and color all over the place.

You’ll find lines and patters in the least obvious places. Like in a warehouse and a bridge.

And now for my favorite. This is a mural set in between two buildings. The sun, shade and reflections create lines and patterns on this beautiful image.

So there we have my journey through lines, colors and patterns. Thanks John having me delve into my archives for this one. This was a natural to follow Tina’s wonderful post asking us how we “Live and Learn.” I enjoyed see all your responses. As usual, please remember to link your response to John’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Next week Ann-Christine will lead the challenge.

In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 38 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #229: Perfect Patterns

As photographers, we are drawn to patterns probably without even realizing it. It’s an integral part of composition. This week Ann Christine helps make us aware of these patterns by challenging us to look for them in our photos.

I’ll start with patterns found in architecture.

Gates offer beautifully crafted patterns.
Patio furniture cast patterned shadows.
Some stairs are patterned into a work of art.
Look up and you’ll find patterns in barns.
This building is all about patterns.

Nature offers patterns of her own.

And, how about fabric!

Here are some more examples of patterns we find as we photograph.

A metal bench and its reflection.
A barn quilt.
A water wheel.
Shopping carts.
Zooming lights and their water reflection.

Finally, we can make our own patterns in post as we have fun processing.

Thank you Ann Christine for challenging us with this fun topic. Please link to her post if you have yet to find and show us your own patterns and use the Lens Artists tag. Last week, we had fun seeing your creative diagonals. Tina will be challenging us next week. Be sure to look for her post. Stay safe this holiday season.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Photoshop fun: IKEA

Nothing! That’s what I did for a week after we returned from our month long road trip to Montana, Glacier National Park and Weiser Idaho for the eclipse. It took us a few mornings to empty out the trailer so we can sell it. It seems we came home just in time for a heat wave, so we only had the mornings to work.

I did gather up energy to shoot with my Toastmaster photo club, All About Photography Toastmasters. We went to IKEA because of the heat. If you remember, I had been there with my Tuesday group so I chose to shoot with my macro lens for practice. I can’t say I was totally successful, but I did learn. This lens has such a short depth of field, and that made it difficult. It’s a 105 mm so I had to stand far enough back to get what  I was shooting in the frame and in focus.

Since  the shoot, I’ve been working on the images and found the Photoshop filter panel. What fun! With no effort on my part, the software took my images of patterns and turned them into great abstract designs. I’ll show you the before and afters:

Before: A kite.
After: I think this may have been the zig zag.

Before: the back of a wood lounge chair.
After: the ziz zag filter.

Before: Another chandelier that I tinted green in Lightroom.
After: A tighter swirl pattern.

Before: Fabric on a couch that I angled in post.
After: One of the blur filters.

Before: This was a lamp shade.
After: The swirl filter and a change to black and white.

I may have been able to do more, but I was stymied with my limited knowledge of layers. Now I have to delve into Photoshop now that my energy level is back. I had fun with these.