“He sought out a background with formal qualities interesting in themselves. Often it was a wall parallel to the place of the image, or a space lending perspective with defined graphic lines. Then he waited for figures to come and find their place in this arrangement of forms, in what he himself called ‘simultaneous coalition.’ His approach to composition was like a little theater with a set and actors. One part of what formed the geometric quality of his images was perfectly controlled: the other–and probably the most important-was the result of chance.” (cited: Aperture Masters of Photography Henri Cartier-Bresson)
This week I would like to introduce you to Ian MacDonald, an Official Fujifilm X Photographer and educator living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In his first of a series of street composition blogs, he reviews:
What really matters in a photograph
- Subject
- Moment
- Light
- Background
Setting the stage
Street portraits
Detail Shots
I hope you, also, find this to be interesting and informative. As always, I would love to read your thoughts and see your images. Let’s tag with #aphotostudy. Until next week…
a meditative journey 
“..probably the most important-was the result of chance.” That moment when you download your photo and see something you missed entirely when you first clicked the shutter. This is wonderful, Brenda.
I think that is part of the fun…almost like going out on a treasure hunt and not knowing what you found until…yes, until the…download.
Interesting topic which I always find difficult. Thanks for initiative.
I shall participate.
Remember, the most important element is to have fun!
🙂 hmm.
These thoughts resonate for me a lot. I enjoy focusing on a scene… composition, light, angles, geometry and then waiting for the actors to appear and place themselves. Patience and fun. And then yes, there is often the unexpected gift found in the download… a plane, a bird. Thanks for this post and sharing these images along with the quote… Cartier-Bresson an all time favorite
Thank you for visiting and posting your thoughts. One of my intentions is to open myself more to the artistic elements within street photography and…yes, patience which may be more difficult.