By using a few composition techniques, the eyes can be led to the subject in a picture. These images from The Butterfly Farm in Aruba show how easy it is.
“For me, the subject of the picture is always more important than the picture.” – Diane Arbus
This week Patti invites us to show several ways to draw attention to a subject. She suggests using leading lines and patterns, color, contrast, selective focus, freezing the action and doorways or arches. Click here to enjoy her post plus see other ways of Focusing on the Subject!
When visiting The Butterfly Farm, it was a real treat to walk among these beautiful creatures in their native environment. I would like to share their beauty with you! (To view each picture in full screen, be sure to click on it.)
“First and foremost, make it an obvious picture of color! Rather than looking for rocks, leaves, trees, waterfalls, birds, flowers, fire hydrants, starfish, boats, orchards, or bridges, focus your energy and vision on red, blue, yellow, orange, green, or violet. Color first, content second!” – Bryan Peterson
Using Color: What do you notice first when glancing at this picture, the bright yellow color of the flower? Then, what do your eyes look at next? Is it the Paper Kite Butterfly’s head and its elegantly patterned black and white wings? This is how the use of color can initially catch the eyes and then direct them to the subject.
“Good composition is merely the strongest way of seeing.” – Edward Weston
Using Contrast and Focusing on the Eyes: What makes the striking Owl Butterfly wings so interesting is delicate contrasting patterns and shapes. This design, which serves as their defense against predators, is called mimicry. The large eyespots on each wing look like owl’s eyes and warn off predators. Also, their eyes are covered with a coating or film to blend in with the wings.
Selective Focus: Spot metering and a long lens was used to photograph this picture so the Blue Morpho Butterfly sharply stands out against the blurry background. Its bright blue wings trimmed with a brownish-black and white pattern immediately catches the eyes. As a side note, the color on the other side of the wings is dull brown so in flight they seem to appear and disappear. And with a wing span of five to eight inches, they are among the largest butterflies in the world.
“Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” – Elliott Erwitt
Freezing the Action: The red flower at the top of this image encourages the eyes to move down, noticing the elegant pattern and beautiful colors of the Scarlet Mormon Swallowtail. Most of the wing action is stopped but not all. A bit of movement is visible to show that the butterfly had to use its wings for balance while feeding in an upside-down position.
“Good composition is like a suspension bridge – Each line adds strength and takes none away.” – Robert Henri
Leading Lines & Repeating Patterns: The branch across the bottom of this picture points upwards. Small bright red flower petals are also facing upward in a repetitive pattern toward the Sea Green Swallowtail. These subtle lines and patterns automatically lead the eye to this unusually beautiful butterfly.
“Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson
Framing the Shot: This branch, filled with lovely purple flowers, forms an archway over the Orange Lacewing Butterfly. This places it in a natural frame where the eyes tend to stay on the butterfly. By the way, the banner picture at the top of the page shows the other side of its beautiful wings.
“Butterflies are tiny, graceful and enchanting creatures that lead us to the bright and happy side of life. And everyone deserves a little sunshine.” – unknown
Hope everyone is coping well as the coronavirus pandemic continues to change lives around the world.
It is more important than ever To Stay Well, Keep Safe and Be Kind to Others!