Sam Abell talk on composition

[Ccoppola82]

I determined to give 28mm a go this summer and I’m the course of looking for photographers that used one, I found Sam Abell from Nat Geo. B&H sponsored a talk by him a while ago and his lecture really resonated and sorta systemized an approach to composition in general. I absolutely loved the lecture and just bought two of his books. I think it may be the best lecture on photography that I’ve ever seen. He dissects his failures in the pursuit of the final image in such a way that I can relate. He takes it further and thinks more. Anyway, in case anyone hasn’t seen it, it’s DEFINITELY worth a watch.

https://youtu.be/qYf9klvk8vQ

 

[helen.HH]

Thanks for sharing Chris!

28 & 90 ... a canon man... compose and wait

Inspiring , Beautiful and Fantastic.
Loved the way he told of his Life, his loves, his photography, a perfect fusion.

Going back now to finish his lecture.

 

[Richard G]

What Helen Hill has said. This is quite wonderful.
"Compose the shot, and wait...."
Microcomposition.
Composing from the back to the front..
The horizon line.
Gesture.
The expressivity of the back of a figure.

I'm only half way through it yet...

 

[Ccoppola82]

What Helen Hill has said. This is quite wonderful.
"Compose the shot, and wait...."
Microcomposition.
Composing from the back to the front..
The horizon line.
Gesture.
The expressivity of the back of a figure.

I'm only half way through it yet...

The entire lecture spoke to me. I’m not an action junky, so the patient and thoughtful approach really resonates with me. I’ve honestly never even thought of composing from back to front for some reason. I’m actually a professional artist, and I often times enjoy looking at artist sketchbooks more than i enjoy the final piece. I like to see their process, how their minds work. His approach and showing failures and experiments in sequence was much like his sketchbook. Probably the best photo talk I’ve ever seen. And he shoots in P mode. Haha. Love it.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I went from M to AV/TV to P for regular shots (people and static objects). With Canon, it is this good. Not a Leica for sure, where with my M-E best metering is S16 🙂.

 

[Ccoppola82]

I went from M to AV/TV to P for regular shots (people and static objects). With Canon, it is this good. Not a Leica for sure, where with my M-E best metering is S16 🙂.

Just goes to show that not much else matters if the exposure and composition are correct. So why do we spend so much time worrying about gear etc, when we should be more worried about getting the right shapes in the right places??

 

[retinax]

Great lecture, thanks for posting it! Makes me want to shoot color... I agree with your assessment on all points. The inclusion of (failed? most of us would have been happy to keep them) attempts is the best part.