50 Principles of Composition in Photography
A practical guide to
seeing photographically through
the eyes of a master photographer
by Klaus Bohn, MPA, CPA, F/SPPA, A www.photographicartvictoria.com
CCB Publishing British Columbia, Canada
50 Principles of Composition in Photography: A practical guide to seeing photographically through the eyes of a master photographer
Copyright © 2006 by Klaus Bohn, MPA, CPA, F/SPPA, A
ISBN-10 0-9739050-8-5
ISBN-13 978-0-9739050-8-3
First Edition
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Bohn, Klaus, 1945-
50 principles of composition in photography [electronic resource]: a practical guide to seeing photographically through the eyes of a master photographer / by Klaus Bohn.
Includes index.
Also available in paperback format.
ISBN 0-9739050-8-5
1. Composition (Photography). I. Title. II. Title: Fifty principles of composition in photography.
TR146.B65 2006 771 C2006-903068-5
Extreme care has been taken to ensure that all information presented in this book is accurate and up to date at the time of publishing. Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Additionally, neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
Photo credits: All photos contained herein are copyright Klaus Bohn with the following exceptions:
1) Mitch Hippsley
2) David Bohn
3) Paul Rabinovitch
Publisher: CCB Publishing
British Columbia, Canada
e-mail: [email protected]
Dedication
I dedicate this book to my three children who, even at an early age, have spurred me on to live a life full of adventure with them. I’m glad that my adventure, my pursuit for daily living is so much more than just making a living! That is borne out even in their lives as they have grown into adulthood.
To you Michael, my first born, I dedicate this book because you were there when I needed you the most. Tests and trials are inevitable but as we face each challenge, what enables us to weather the storm is those who are there for us and are willing to go the extra mile. They give up their own comfort for another and stick with their commitment to help another. Words cannot express my gratitude to you my son. You helped me start over and stayed 5 years with me.
To you David who bares my name David Klaus, or DK for short, you were so adventuresome when after high school you left home and pioneered for a place in Victoria, British Columbia. In time we followed and moved too. I could tell at an early age that you had an eye and ear for art and music in just how you dedicated your time and efforts and from your many accomplishments. Without your help and sheer determination to put it all together this book would never have happened. During the past five years we have learned from each other, your commercial approach and my portrait method combined to help us find our individual style. For this I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To Tammy my only daughter, who echoes my personality in so many ways, especially in travel. As you know I put a lot of effort into travelling to many far away places and now you too have shone so much brightness in your many travels to so many far away places. I highly regard your invitation to travel with you to the orient and other places that can be shared so personally with family as I have valued in the past. When you were small I very often used you as a model. You will always remember one special project which was an adventure in itself. I had one year to photograph you each month with a different animal: a pig, a lamb, a cat, a horse, a cow, a dog and so on. Thank you for being you.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Foreward
Introduction
Photography: Unlike the Other “Fine” Arts
Why Are You a Photographer?
Objective Versus Subjective Learning
Can You be a Photographer?
50 Principles of Composition
6. Separating the Subject and Background