Composition Masterclass: Beyond the rule of thirds
What you'll learn
- Take better photographs using the application of simple, easy to learn compositional techniques.
- Create captivating and engaging photographic imagery without spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on new camera gear.
- Apply one set of compositional techniques that work for all cameras, from smartphones and Iphones, to DSLRS and large format cameras
- Apply one set of compositional techniques that work for square format photography all the way to panoramic and everything in between.
- Turn an initial idea for a photograph into a captivating image that draws people in.
- Take engaging landscape photographs any time of day, from the golden hour period, all the way to Midday and beyond....and from red sunsets to overcast skies.
Requirements
- Students need an open mind and a willingness to learn.
- Students will need a camera of some description (any camera will do) so they can go straight out and try the techniques I teach on this course.
- This course assumes no knowledge of composition and therefore is suitable for complete beginners.
Description
Any beginner photographer can create beautiful photography by using my new composition framework because it uniquely taps into your natural emotion and intuition, rather than using formalised rules
If you are a beginner photographer, or feel that your photography is stagnating, then right now, you may be producing images that look lacklustre, or un-remarkable, especially when comparing your photos to others that you admire...
Or you may be quite happy with your photographs, until you see similar photographs of others you admire.
I call it photographer envy, and we've all been there. It's a negative feeling, but one you shouldn't ignore.
It may be that websites, YouTube videos, books and magazines haven't got you over that line yet...
So you know there's something missing in your photography, but you can't quite put your finger on it.
If you can relate to any of the above, then this course could be the answer that you are looking for.
CREATE ENVY AMONG YOUR PEERS, ADMIRATION FROM FRIENDS, MAKE MONEY AND FEEL DEEPLY SATISFIED.
In this course...
You will discover the techniques that all the photography greats use, but they will never teach.
Using a series of simple, easy to learn techniques, you will acquire composition skills that will allow you to start creating visually compelling compositions nearly every time you press the shutter.
This course taps into my 20 years experience of creating photographs using purely organic and instinctive picture taking methods.
It will be your turn to create envy amongst your peers, and admiration from your fans.
It may even make you money if you choose to monetise your photography.
And most importantly you will gain a sense of deep satisfaction with the photographs that you take.
WHY BEGINNER PHOTOGRAPHERS STRUGGLE, AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.
When trying to improve their photography, what most people do is to try every new trick or gimmick that comes along... They scour YouTube for the elusive answer. Dynamic symmetry anyone? Fibonacci? Phi? Or they read endless blog posts, where the advice becomes fragmented.
....and so it goes on.
And that is not where the answer lies.
For most people who want to create beautiful, compelling images, none of those gimmicks, tricks or pockets of advice work.
And for many photographers it seems impossible to locate the missing piece of the jigsaw
If you do nothing, your photography will flatline, and you may even lose your passion for this wonderful, amazing hobby/profession.
Feeling constantly frustrated when you see the work of other photographers work is not a good feeling.
So why not take this simple next step? Because I think I may have the solution for you!
GIVE ME JUST A FEW OF HOURS OF YOUR TIME AND I'LL HELP YOU TAKE BETTER PHOTOGRAPHS.
I've developed a framework for composing images that will virtually guarantee that your images will be compositionally correct and visually appealing pretty much every time you press the shutter.
And that is regardless of subject matter, and my system works for all genres of photography.
So here's my story...
I have always been interested in photography. And I was always pretty good at it, and I know that because people that I didn't know told me how much they liked my photographs.
Then a friend of mine told me how I was correctly and effectively using the Rule of Thirds, and was really impressed with my application of 'the rules'.
I'd never heard of the rule of thirds, and had to look it up.
Once I had learnt the rule of thirds, as well as all the other standard rules you learn about in magazines, I felt enthused.
These new rules were going to take me to an even greater level.
WARNING: THE RULE OF THIRDS WILL ONLY HOLD YOU BACK
But I continually found my photography suffering when using them. I lost my vision for photography and my creativity left me. My compositions no longer stood out.
I started losing my passion and wasn't enjoying my photography anymore.
The frustration I felt turned to anger as I was so totally frustrated by all the advice and rules that were being thrown at me from all angles.
So I dropped those rules, I stopped listening to all that fragmented advice from magazines and blogs.
I went back to being the intuitive photographer that I started as. Using instinct and intuition, gut feeling etc...
And you know what? I got my photography mojo back.
I became happy and satisfied once more with my photography. I felt proud of what I was creating, and the complements came back too.
I was no longer frustrated and angry with myself, or envious of others. I was happy again.
I LEARNT ONE AMAZING LESSON.
What I realised was that poor composition is at the heart of uninspiring photographs. Post processing is important, but not nearly as important as composition.
And that got me thinking...
Is there any way that I can harness this powerful intuitive 'system' that I was using subconsciously - so that everyone can use it?
And the answer was a resounding yes.
THE ANSWER TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY WOES MAY SOON BE SOLVED.
And that's what I did, I created a framework and a system, that if followed properly, will allow you to tap into your own creativity in a way that conventional rules tend to stifle and block.
And it pretty much guarantees that every time you press the shutter of your camera, your photograph will always be perfectly composed. Every. Single. Time.
And now I want to teach that system to you.
And that is exactly why I created my "Composition masterclass: Beyond the rule of thirds" course.
IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY...
So what to do now?
You can do what you've been doing (or worse, give up altogether). Your passion could die, meaning you'll miss out on a lifetime of creativity. Is that really what you want?
You can take a new action, and get a new result. Finally learn the one skill that you need to be able to take the best photographs you have ever taken. Photographs that will make you proud. Those feelings of frustration and envy will go, you will relax, and you'll be a happier and more creative person.
Who this course is for:
- Anyone who wants to take better and more engaging holiday photos, or family photos
- Beginners who want to accelerate their learning in order to take better photos right now.
- Enthusiasts and hobbyists who want to further refine their photography
- I'm a Landscape and travel photographer, so my techniques refer specifically to this genre of photography. However, in my opinion, composition is universal, so just check out the preview videos to see if this course is for you.
- Although I use Photoshop to post process my images, this course only covers composition, not Photoshop. But you need to employ good composition in order to create captivating images, regardless of any post processing techniques applied.
Instructor
I am a spontaneous photographer. And I only truly know what I like after I’ve seen it.
You know, it’s that moment that we all have from time to time when we say something like; “…wow…I bet that would make a good photograph..!”. Those are moments that we all have, whether we are a professional photographer or a dog walker on a blustery day with a smartphone…
For me though, When I get my photos home I have to decide whether I want to sell them at art and craft shows, or whether to publish them on social networking sites, or whether to send them to picture libraries for licensing.
I got into photography as a backpacker and cycletourist. So I started learning without the aid of the internet or photography magazines. I found that I really enjoyed the process of taking photos, and when I got home I found that my photos were liked by everyone I showed them to, too!
My photographic style developed naturally and I learnt how to photograph spontaneously in new places (as a backpacker) as well as to plan ahead for that killer landscape or long-exposure beach scene.
My images are regularly licenced around the world for use in advertising and also for editorial use in newspapers and magazines. They are also sold as high quality limited edition prints, open edition prints and greetings cards and have been sold many thousands of times in this format. I am constantly updating my collection of images.
My images have been used by hundreds of businesses, including the BBC, advertising agencies both large and small such as Saatchi and Saatchi. As well as National Geographic Online, National Geographic Traveler magazine, all the major travel guide books, The Guardian newspaper, The Times, Observer, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Washington Post…to name but a few.