Exercise: rhythms and patterns

Rhythm is created by the pattern of the oars and the perspective - the eye is led along the diagonal across the picture.

The ends of the logs in this stack create an irregular pattern, and tight cropping conveys the suggestion that the pattern continues beyond the frame.

Exercise: Real and implied triangles

Real: a triangular subject: this photograph shows a real triangle in the sky, created by crossing plane trails

Real: a triangle by perspective converging towards the top of the frame:

Real: an inverted triangle, converging towards the bottom of the frame:

Implied: still-life, apex at the top:

Implied: still-life, apex at the bottom:

Implied: three people in a group

Exercise: curves

In this photograph, the shape of the bridge and its reflection creates a strong curve which forms a frame for the scene of the sunlit boat house.

The curved structure in this image leads the eye into the frame towards the odd leg on a stool.

The bend in the river echoes the direction in which the boats are travelling, and emphasises the movement.


In this image, the curved wall and the curved shadows on the floor lead the eye round to the two figures leaning against the wall.

Exercise: Multiple points

Set up a still life using between 6 to 10 compact objects to examine the relationship between the points.










For this exercise I've used a selection of buttons; trying to arrange them in a fashion which did not look obviously contrived. It was surprisingly difficult, especially because at the beginning, when there were only a small number of objects, it was impossible not to see implied lines between them forming clear shapes. It was only when there were more than about six or seven objects that it became possible to overlook the lines. Even so, at the end, I could link all the objects on display to all the others through lines or shapes.