Sam offers in-person and online photography instruction. Call him at 202-531-2344 to see how he can help
you.
These emails come with the intent of helping you be a better photographer.
And if you want more photography stuff to read, there's a place on the interwebs where past emails I wrote are stored. You'll find 'em in the "Newsletter Hub."
Remember, I'd like to know what you want to know about photography. So, If you have any questions, ask by sending an email to me at sam@samdamico.com.
;Hello ,
The forms we see while walking around all day are included as elements of composition in our photographs. But here's the compositional challenge; how do we visually represent the three dimensions of form in our two-dimensional picture?
What's Form?
Although they might seem similar, form ain't shape. So, what makes form different from shape?
In brief, form is three-dimensional, and shape is two-dimensional.
You'll find variations of the definition of form in a dictionary, but the one we wanna pay attention to as photographers deals with the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
characteristics of form.
And remember, form is three-dimensional, and shape is two-dimensional.
In other words, the characteristics of form are height, width, and depth. While the characteristics of shape are height and width.
Are There Different Types of Forms?
Yup, there are.
Like with shape, we can classify the form types into two basic types. We've got geometric forms and organic forms.
The familiar geometric forms include cones, cubes, cylinders, spheres, and more. And when it comes to organic forms, they include the objects that we see in our three-dimensional world.
Forms can be endlessly complex or simple.
And like shapes, positive and negative space is created by form.
In our compositions, form fills positive space;
negative space is the space that doesn't contain form.
Where Can We See Forms in Photographs?
In a word, everywhere.
Our pictures record all the forms that fill the angle of view of our lens.
And the three-dimensional forms we photograph appear as two-dimensional in our pictures.
And regardless of how the picture is displayed, the photograph lacks depth.
So, how do we visually communicate three-dimensional forms in our two-dimensional photographs?
Shadow!
The illusion of a three-dimensional form in a two-dimensional representation happens with shading.
We do this by recording a range of tonalities from the brightest to the mid-tonalities and finally into visible details in the shadows of objects. These tonality gradients not only create an illusion of depth but also reveal the dimensions of an object within our picture because shadows also reveal depth.
And because we include changes in tonalities and object shadows in our pictures, the intensity, direction, and texture of the transmitting light source relative to objects
are important compositional considerations. This is because the transmitting light's intensity, direction, and texture change how we see the object's depth in a two-dimensional image.
For example, a diffused transmitting light source flattens a scene; however, tonality changes/shading gives us a feeling of form.
How To Study and Practice With Form
A good study and practice would be paying attention to form, and when composing a picture, make sure to include a wide range of tonalities in our compositions.
And remember, we learn and become better by doing, so make sure to practice by making at least one picture today.
That’s all for now; thanks for reading!
Sam
Study and practice photography with me.
And if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes, we can schedule a one-time lesson or a series of in-person or online
one-on-one private instruction that cover the same things as any of my group classes.
---Get guidance on going from where you are to where you want to be as a photographer. There's no charge for a follow-up consultation. Just leave your phone number on the form, and I'll call you. Photography Instruction Strategy
Questionnaire.
I look forward to helping you be a better photographer.
Best Regards,
Sam
About Sam
Sam D'Amico, a professional photographer and photography
instructor, helps anyone who wants to be a better photographer.
He'll work with his students to increase their understanding of camera operation, composition, light, and lighting.
Sam started working as a professional photographer
in the mid-1980s.
Most notably, from 1992 to 1997, while working as a freelance photographer, he photographed over 500 assignments for the New York Times.
Additionally, Sam received awards for his work while
exhibiting his photographs in shows.
Sam began teaching photography professionally in 1998 through the Highland Park, N.J. recreation department.
In 2002 Sam moved to Washington, D.C., and began teaching at the accredited Washington
School of Photography in Bethesda, Md.
It was in 2003 that Sam developed his curriculum and started teaching classes in Washington, D.C.
In 2018 and 2022, the Sam D'Amico Photography Classes were voted the "Best of DC" art class by the
readers of the Washington City Paper.
Many photography teachers spend a lot of time teaching about DSLRs and rules of composition that create homogenized, rigid photographs.
On the other
hand, Sam teaches about camera operation, thought process, and the individual photographer's visual communication intent.
This approach to teaching allows his students to use ANY camera (yes, even the camera on their phone) and break free of the rules of composition.
Approaching the creative process this way allows for fluid and spontaneous photographs unique to the photographer creating them.
Sam encourages his students to find their ways as photographers.
He
instills the skills in his students that result in creative, engaging, and unique compositions that reflect the photographer's intended one-of-a-kind visual expression.
