Lines direct our attention, enhance and frame a subject, and are such an integral part of a composition that we often don't consciously notice their effects. DigiCamSIG'rs outdid themselves on this assignment; one of the best in returns to date!

Lines In Composition - August 2004 Assignment

Lines In Composition - more photos, Sept 2004

CAUG Digicam SIG Notes
August 17, 2004 meeting

The Digital Camera Special Interest Group (SIG) met at Parkdale Library on August 17, well-attended with digital camera enthusiasts. We have lightly structured assignments each month to enhance our proficiency in digital photography. The August assignment was Lines in Composition:

Chuck Guion photos included a famed suspension bridge, clumped branches of a live oak tree, linear bark of a tree, siding on sheds, chain-link fence, palm fronds, line of posts. Another standout were classic views of a large Victorian mansion.

Ben Luna showed stunning stitched photos, panoramic views of People's T-head, American Bank Building (vertically stitched), Harbor Bridge and Bob Hall Pier. He shot these with a medium telephoto lens. Other submissions included a small gecko on a frond of similar color and a multi-hued Nautilus shell on a black background.

John Hoffman featured lines in beautiful plant leaves, a colorful restaurant sign against power lines, and a line of equestrians on a beach with scraped lines still showing. He caught a bright kite with long streamer tails, tug and barge with jetty rock for Packery Channel, early morning shot of grass fire on the dunes and a gorgeous sunset over the ship channel at Port Aransas.

Bill Draper used a magazine clipping photo by eminent photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, to illustrate lines in photo composition. He showed three pelicans in a line; a humming bird on an upward curving branch; a church scene showing altar and organ pipes; a tiny red sparrow against weathered lines in the roadway; a boat launch area as an artist's canvas; and an unusual Padre Island sunset.

Patty Beasley's photos gave us an inspired potpourri; plants including colorful Passion Flower; a tall building with anodized metals reflecting light; home with a "lighthouse"; Dolphin deco art cast against the lines of a skyscraper; long aisle of shrimp breeding tanks; an old fishing pier. She went beneath the Causeway, caught the piers reflecting in the water, and the structural elements in angular and linear arrays. She concluded with a photo of a small pier, complete with an enormous pelican.

Bruce Switalla: Look to him for unusual perspectives as he showed us in rows of folding chairs. Linear shadows from the slats of a park bench against a brick walkway, provided an attractive effect. Then there was a milepost sign against a blue sky, a colorful bike rack, and the beautiful linear and radial lines of tiger lilies.

Drew and Brian Jacobs: Their unusual offerings included a weathered a marina scene, Wildseed Farm barn (showing slatted roof, trusses and beam,) shaded roadway, and cypress-lined waterway. A hillside stairway of cross-ties, courtyard scenes and the structure of an overpass attracted interest. They concluded with photos of glass-blowing artistry, linear, radial, curved, all beautiful.

Ken Parsons created an SVCD multimedia presentation with his images. The show included artfully designed images with overlays of the predominate lines in each photo. 

In memory of member Joe Files who passed away suddenly on July 30th, Patty Beasley and Chuck Guion presented a slide show of photos celebrating Joe's life and love of photography, among his many, many other interests and activities.

In September, traveling Joan Stephens returned home and brought in her photos. She showed a variety of pictures including Venetian blinds, iron fencing, mailboxes, and docks - all with lots and lots of lines. Thanks, Joan!

Patty Beasley gave an outstanding How To on Architectural Photos, our next assignment. Tips and tricks to follow below. GO GET 'EM - digital architectural photos.

For the scribe,
Bill Draper
 

Assignment for September 2004:  ARCHITECTURE

The August lines assignment is a natural segue into this month's assignment of Architecture. Some quick tips to get you started:

• Always walk completely around your subject, if possible. Examine it from all angles, including height. Get below it if you can (stairway, underground level) or get above it. Get level with it from another similarly sized vantage point.

• Get as close to your subject as you can.

• Walk backwards (mindful of traffic and other hazards, of course!) to fill your lens with the subject until you get it where you want it. Use this technique rather than zooming whenever possible.

• Use a tripod, sand or bean bags, or some other form of bracing or support for your camera where appropriate.

For more information, check out Patty's DigiCamSIG presentation on Architecture photography:

Architecture photography

Some other helpful links on the web:

• AGFA Net's site on Architecture Photography 

• E-Photo-Zine's site