The Gaussian Blur Test

Use ‘Gaussian Blur’ to better determine your compositions in photography:

Why Gaussian Blur?

Gaussian Blur: better helps you determine the “figure to ground” of a photograph [contrast].

The basic notion is this:

Create separation/contrast between your subject and the background.

The more your subject can “pop” from the background, the better.

The test

How to apply gaussian blur in photoshop

Radius of blur in gaussian blur for photoshop [just play around with the settings, until it looks good to you]

The test is simple:

Apply Gaussian Blur to your photograph
See if the photograph “pops” from the background
Draw in the composition, to better get a sense of the proportions of your composition.

What we are looking for

High-key. Los Angeles, 2019 #cindyproject

We are striving towards the optimal “simple” composition.

Furthermore, by applying Gaussian Blur to your photos, you better understand your compositions.

Inverse + Gaussian Blur

Another tip:

Inverse your photo, then apply the Gaussian Blur.

This further abstracts your images, and helps you even better understand your compositions.

Sketching your compositions

Another idea:

Take a composition you like, then use an app like ProCreate [iPad] to fill in the blurry portions of your frame, to better understand the geometry/proportions of your frame.

Then turn your composition layers into an animated GIF, to better understand the composition.

Animated GIF created in procreate for ipad

No glasses test

Another thought:

Look at your photos without having your glasses on [to simulate the “gaussian blur”]

Or if you have good eyes, cover one eye, and squint the other one.

Or look at your photos as small thumbnails to better determine the composition.

Los Angeles, 2019 #cindyproject #21mm

Filled in photograph with iPad and Procreate app

Blur is good

Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject

London, 2018 Ricoh blur

London, 2018 #cindyproject

Yellow blur Cindy at night. Tokyo, 2018

Blurry Cindy, low angle perspective. Hanoi, 2017

Blur more of your photos [Gaussian Blur after the fact], or blurry out-of-camera!

Shoot out of focus photos intentionally
Photograph moving subjects [while you are standing still]
Photograph stationary subjects as you are moving
Photograph moving subjects as you are moving
Photograph stationary subjects while intentionally pulling your camera toward the frame or away [slow shutter speed].

Separation is clear Between the head of the man and the white water. This picture passes our “figure to ground” test.

Separation of the mans head from the black on top of the frame. Strong figure figure to ground.

Cindy blur. Saigon, 2017

Blurry picture of Cindy. Kyoto, 2017.

Blurry stairs at night. Uji, Kyoto 2017

Shot with a slower shutter speed. You can feel the movement in this picture with the motion blur. Cindy, 2016

Blurred London skyline, 2018

Cindy with blurred hands on face. London, 2018

Yellow blur Cindy at night. Tokyo, 2018

Anti-perfection

Blur is better. Why? Photos become more “imperfect”; which are more beautiful.

SHOOT ON!

ERIC

COMPOSITION

Master composition for yourself:

Street Photography Composition Tips

Tokyo, 2017

Photography Composition Concepts

Photography Composition Tips

Color Theory

Color wheel theory: Dynamic tension between opposing colors. Image from CREATIVE EVERY DAY

Learn From the Masters of Composition

Sergio Larrain Compositions

Dynamic Photography Composition 101

Leading lines. ERIC KIM DYNAMIC COMPOSITION

Painting Compositions

Vermeer

Dynamic Photography Composition Tips

Chiaroscuro. DYNAMIC LIGHT AND SHADOW. Hanoi, 2016 by ERIC KIM

Composition Theory

Dynamic low angle composition. Tokyo, 2011 by ERIC KIM

Take your composition to the next level:

Street Photography Composition 101

DYNAMIC REFLECTIONS. Man and three reflections by ERIC KIM

For distilled lessons on composition, read the free ebook: “The Street Photography Composition Manual.”

Further articles to improve your compositions in photography:

Composition Theory

Woman and door. Chiaroscuro. DYNAMIC LIGHT AND SHADOW. Hanoi, 2016 by ERIC KIM

Learn compositional theory:

Compositional lessons from the masters of art

Composition lectures

Composition pictures/grids

Golden Diagonal Composition

Golden Diagonal Composition / Kyoto Station, 2018