WALL ART Part 1

Dear reader, if this entry or my other blog entries don't answer your specific photography questions, you can call me on the phone anytime for advice by clicking here.

With the steady rise of Modernism's popularity in the home, design has been receiving almost as much attention as traditional artwork when it comes to wall hangings. While many would not classify two dimensional design as art, record sales at art auction houses say otherwise. To create your own piece of Modern design for your walls, simply find a colorful linear or circular pattern and take a picture of it out of focus. You will need to have your lens aperture set to its lowest f-stop number. The photo above was originally a colorful bedsheet, focused manually.

One day I was preparing my camera for a photo shoot, and I took a test shot of a venetian blind. My photo was out of focus, so I checked my camera and saw that my lens was on manual focus instead of auto. I was just about to delete the test shot, when I realized that the image had a nice abstract appearance to it. During the next few weeks I photographed many things out of focus, and eventually had enough dynamic images to create a series. It was a good example of serendipitous creativity!

The next lesson is also on artwork for your walls, and will mention printing options.

Mark's photographic prints for your wall can be purchased at www.markhemmings.com

Mark can be hired as a photographer or filmmaker via www.hemmingshouse.com

THE "S" CURVE

Dear reader, if this entry or my other blog entries don't answer your specific photography questions, you can call me on the phone anytime for advice by clicking here.

In compositional theory, certain geometric shapes are often used by artists to guide the viewer's eye throughout a picture space. Triangles, circles, arches, and curves have shown up in countless images throughout the history of photography and painting, and the "S" curve is one that bears mentioning.

While this image of a spiral staircase is an interior, S curve compositions can be found in any location. Look for elements within a potential picture space that aid in allowing the viewers eye to follow the winding path from a starting point to an ending point. In this photograph, we naturally begin our exploration of the photo at the bottom, working our way up the banister until we reach the top of the image. While not always the case, the viewer will usually begin a photo with an S curve viewing from the bottom left to the top right.

Other geometric designs within your compositions can evoke a sense of authority, empathy, rigidity, and countless other emotions. The S curve composition has a sensual feel to it, slightly dangerous and very compelling. The next time you have a camera in hand, keep an eye open for visual pathways that mimic this serpentine geometry.

Mark's photographic prints for your wall can be purchased at www.markhemmings.com

Mark can be hired as a photographer or filmmaker via www.hemmingshouse.com