Composition - Layers
First off I do not proclaim to be any kind of authority or expert on neither composition or layers. the following are just my thoughts and opinions of them. In fact I had never even heard of the term "layer"s in regards to composition before joining Flickr. And as far as the image goes, I often shoot this hill and surroundings in a landscape format, but was trying to see it from a different perspective. Definitely not among my favorite captures of this area, but I thought it would work well as an example here.
In the past I have been recommended to look for shapes and lines when composing (Thanks James...super advice) I see layers, especially in a landscape image as rectangles, and usually appearing horizonatally as differing tones, colours or textures. I suppose they could take other shapes as well. They can be quite pleasing to the eye as they transition a scene from foreground to middle ground and perhaps to the background, depending on how many layers exist.
In this shot I think the layers are evident like stacked bands or rectangles. At the top is the Hill, that I love to photograph so much, is basically a triangle topping off the stack and breaking the pattern of the rectangles,
Although this is not a good example of depth or dimension, layers can be used to show depth as well, with each layer perhaps becoming more out of focus. Here everything is pretty much in focus, and possibly because the image is taken in a portrait format there is very little depth, and it almost appears flat, as if taken with a telephoto.
In closing, I do think it is good to look for shapes within a composition, but I have found that it is not easy, requiring practice. Coming from a background in graphic design where one can easily shift and arrange shapes and lines to lead the eye while maintaining balance, it is not as simple in landscape photography where one needs to change position and angle of shooting, and perhaps focal length to change position of elements and relationships of element. As with any skill, learning to see and compose benefits greatly from practice practice and more practice.
Feel free to chip in your opinion on layers within a composition.
Composition - Layers
First off I do not proclaim to be any kind of authority or expert on neither composition or layers. the following are just my thoughts and opinions of them. In fact I had never even heard of the term "layer"s in regards to composition before joining Flickr. And as far as the image goes, I often shoot this hill and surroundings in a landscape format, but was trying to see it from a different perspective. Definitely not among my favorite captures of this area, but I thought it would work well as an example here.
In the past I have been recommended to look for shapes and lines when composing (Thanks James...super advice) I see layers, especially in a landscape image as rectangles, and usually appearing horizonatally as differing tones, colours or textures. I suppose they could take other shapes as well. They can be quite pleasing to the eye as they transition a scene from foreground to middle ground and perhaps to the background, depending on how many layers exist.
In this shot I think the layers are evident like stacked bands or rectangles. At the top is the Hill, that I love to photograph so much, is basically a triangle topping off the stack and breaking the pattern of the rectangles,
Although this is not a good example of depth or dimension, layers can be used to show depth as well, with each layer perhaps becoming more out of focus. Here everything is pretty much in focus, and possibly because the image is taken in a portrait format there is very little depth, and it almost appears flat, as if taken with a telephoto.
In closing, I do think it is good to look for shapes within a composition, but I have found that it is not easy, requiring practice. Coming from a background in graphic design where one can easily shift and arrange shapes and lines to lead the eye while maintaining balance, it is not as simple in landscape photography where one needs to change position and angle of shooting, and perhaps focal length to change position of elements and relationships of element. As with any skill, learning to see and compose benefits greatly from practice practice and more practice.
Feel free to chip in your opinion on layers within a composition.