The Art of Composition- Reimagined
A NEW WORKSHOP for 2024
Every photograph is a singular composition. Explorations of composition underlay all subject matter, whether portraits, landscapes, still-life, or documentary works. Composition is the photographer’s avenue to organize the chaos of light ‘out there’ into a harmonious tableau. And it’s not just about aesthetics, as compositional control is also how a photograph tells a story. So, while aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are tools to help manage simplicity, composition entirely lies in the eye.
When so much of composition is a feeling, exploring composition can be vague, typically reduced to discussions of “leading lines” and principles like the “rule of thirds.” These lessons are suggested as guidelines, but in fact, these are not the way photographs are composed. In the realm of painting or digital art, the artist has control over every element’s placement. By contrast, photographers must reveal order in the existing scene, composing their images in real time, which requires a more challenging practice.
This new workshop from M. H. Rubin offers a different approach to composition. Together we’ll dig into rhythms and narratives in our frames—no matter what the subject matter. Ikebana, the Zen art of flower arrangement, can offer interesting insights into photographic composition. Its expressions of formality, symbolism, line, and the weight of empty space are all applicable to the photographic frame. We can also glean insights from understanding the human visual system, and the way the brain processes information.
Our workshop delves into the history of photographic composition. We study a range of classic images through the lens of composition, from the formally structured to the seemingly chaotic. We examine works by renowned photographers—Callahan, Kenna, Cunningham, and hundreds of others. Through historical context and practical application, we learn that no gimmick or technique surpasses the necessity (and fun) of reimaging the art of photographic composition.
Upcoming
Lectures, Presentations & Keynotes
Request a 60-min live presentation for your photo group/club.
I offer a unique method of teaching and thinking about photography that combines lessons of mid-century modernism with the principles of haiku (alongside a Zen-arts philosophical foundation) to create more enjoyable and interesting pictures. While technical and business aspects of photography are important, I focus on aesthetics and philosophy to help students understand what makes a good picture and how to continue growing once they have technical skill. This approach can be applied to any kind of subject matter, and emphasizes quick, improvisational, composition. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, this method is challenging and rewarding to learn.