{"id":74468,"date":"2017-12-22T05:28:03","date_gmt":"2017-12-22T13:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=74468"},"modified":"2017-12-22T05:28:03","modified_gmt":"2017-12-22T13:28:03","slug":"composition-lesson-triangles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/22\/composition-lesson-triangles\/","title":{"rendered":"Composition Lesson: Triangles"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the best compositions you can apply to your compositions: triangles.<\/p>\n

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1. Triangle portrait and reflections<\/h2>\n

In this composition by Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a>, you can see the triangle composition between the man, statue, and his reflection:<\/p>\n

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2. Triangle composition of monks, by Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/h2>\n

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3. Vertical triangle composition by Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/h2>\n

This is interesting, to see how we can create triangle compositions from pictures in frames \u00e2\u20ac\u201d because the human eye is always drawn to faces.<\/p>\n

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Also note in this vertical (portrait) orientation, you can also see how your eyes are led throughout the frame, in a zig-zag path, starting from the bottle of wine in the foreground, to the middle of the frame, then the very top:<\/p>\n

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4. Chiaroscuro (shadow play) in museum by Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/h2>\n

Note the triangle composition here:<\/p>\n

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What I like most about this composition is the dynamic directions that all the eyes of the subjects and statues are looking at.<\/p>\n

Lesson: Our eyes follow and track the direction of the subjects in pictures.<\/p>\n

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5. Sergio Larrain and movement of subjects<\/h2>\n

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In this photo by Sergio Larrain<\/a>, you can see the triangle composition between the three subjects.<\/p>\n

The best part \u00e2\u20ac\u201d they are all walking different directions, which creates dynamic tension<\/a> in the frame:<\/p>\n

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Also note the framing \u00e2\u20ac\u201d the depth<\/a> Sergio Larrain adds by having the wall in the far right of the frame (red), and the background and foreground:<\/p>\n

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See more compositions by Sergio Larrain<\/a> \/\/ Learn about his life and philosophy ><\/a><\/p>\n

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6. Matisse<\/a> triangle composition with three subjects<\/h2>\n

Also study composition from masters of painting and art<\/a>, like Matisse<\/a>, with his elegant triangle composition and depth:<\/p>\n

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Three subjects abstracted by Matisse.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Triangle composition. Three subjects abstracted by Matisse.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Triangle composition. Three subjects abstracted by Matisse, into red, blue, yellow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Triangle composition. Three subjects abstracted by Matisse, into red, blue, yellow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Triangle composition in white. Three subjects abstracted by Matisse, into red, blue, yellow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Triangle composition with elbows and arm gestures<\/h2>\n
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Drawing by Matisse, woman with folded arms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another triangle composition from Matisse<\/a>, this time focusing on the shapes and forms of the elbows and arms of a person.<\/p>\n

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Triangle composition by Matisse outlined in red.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here is the drawing abstracted into blue:<\/p>\n

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Blue abstract by ERIC KIM. Drawing by Matisse, woman with folded arms<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Imagining if the whole shape was just a red triangle:<\/p>\n

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Red triangle abstract by eric kim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Or a blue triangle, with sharper edges:<\/p>\n

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Blue triangle abstract by ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the blue triangle overlaid:<\/p>\n

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Learn more about Matisse ><\/a><\/p>\n

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Conclusion<\/h2>\n
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Tilted street photograph in Tokyo, of a triangle composition (man in bottom left, man on top right, and advertisement in top left)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When shooting triangles, some tips:<\/p>\n

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  1. Create triangle composition by spacing out three subjects in different parts of the frame. <\/li>\n
  2. Create triangle composition with hand gestures<\/a>, and arm\/elbow gestures <\/li>\n
  3. Discover the triangles after<\/em> you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve made the photo, as a way to choose (edit) your best work. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    Triangles: Hollywood, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"Triangle
    Triangle with Cindy elbow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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    Learn more about composition<\/h2>\n

    \"BAUHAUS<\/p>\n

    For a primer, see COMPOSITION 101<\/a>, or these new articles:<\/p>\n