Back to Basics - Month 3 - PATTERNS

[Pete]

Hi everyone.

This is where to come if you've lost your photo-mojo and you're finding it difficult to work out what to shoot, how to improve your composition, and how to get your "eye" back again.

I'm intending this thread (and the ones to follow) to be open for people who feel that they need to get back to basics in order to improve their photography. Photos submitted should be posted with a view to them being (gently) critiqued by other members. I also invite pros to contribute with guidance for us poor lesser mortals and generally help us out with exploring the fundamentals.

Each month, I'll start a new thread introducing another compositional element to explore. That doesn't mean that each thread will die - far from it, I want each area to continue to be explored and discussed.

The idea is that you should go out and actively look for compositions that includes the subject, you should be very deliberate about what you're shooting, and why. This should really be treated as a learning excercise. It would also be helpful if when you post your shots, you can give a brief synopsis of why you framed it a particular way and what attracted you to take the shot.

PATTERNS

Patterns give us order in our chaotic world. There's something fundamentally pleasing about seeing something that's ordered in a way that we know what's coming up next. Repeating elements gives us a sense of security and stability.

So here's to the art-form of patterns and continuity...

[Pete]

Your starters...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/peteghia/2006%20CMCK%20Annual%20Ball/IMG_3370.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/peteghia/IMG_4933.jpg

[cfpackerfan]

PETE!! That first one is FABULOUS!!!

Wow. I mean that. Wow.

[Pete]

Some more inspiration for you...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/peteghia/IMG_5424.jpg

[Mgdh]

Here's a shot for comment in this thread ;) Hope it's the type of thing you're looking for Pete.

Nature creates patterns which are equally valid, repetitive but less uniform in nature. Sand ripples on a beach for example.

http://newquay-plus.co.uk/POTN/nifty/070106Beaches-03a.jpg

[Pete]

Smashing, Mark. Really giving Nifty a run for his money there, aren't you? I like the breaking of the pattern caused by the small pebbles.

[Mgdh]

Thanks, Pete.

Yeah, got to show Nifty the highlights that the weather permits :D

I've taken at least one more shot specifically for this thread but that one's still in the camera at the moment. Needed to clear some space on the HD.

[ibdb]

Pete - really like those first two shots. And Mark, I like your sand shot, too.

I'll be keeping this thead in mind (along with the other two). Lousy weather (again) is rolling in, making it a little tough to do much shooting. If the power stays on, and nothing freezes, I'll see what I can contribute.

[Mgdh]

Here's the shot I mentioned above - taken at the Eden Project. The huge 'biomes' are made up of these.

http://newquay-plus.co.uk/POTN/nifty/070107Eden-03.jpg

Anyone remember the greenhouse next to the ice hotel in James Bond - Die Another Day? This is where it was filmed.

[milleker]

Snow in a chain link fence.
http://www.johnmilleker.com/content/photography/images/IMG_6925.jpg

[Jamie Holladay]

Neat shot John

[jasestu]

Only just discovered this series, what a good idea. I hope to learn a lot in coming months.

So, patterns...

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o269/jasestu/POTN/Pattern.jpg

[Pete]

Excellent work Jason. Keep them coming..!

[Carzee]

Pete i like your 2nd one.
here's a fav

http://www.mygraphix.com/index/u/9/61/3408.jpg

[Pete]

Superb, love the vibrancy of the colours and those lines there. Smashing.

[Jamie Holladay]

Pete i like your 2nd one.
here's a fav


Nice one Carzee. I really like the vibrant colors and the texture of the paint just adds to the depth of the photo. Cool

[Carzee]

Its a wooden table at the suburban swim pool, and early morning dew. All the fittings/chairs etc are painted this way, like a fun fair. Crazy cost -local council job generation quango probably.
Its originally a landscape shot, but rotated to portrait it has more impact. 2004, my first digicam, stupid Sony 5mp P&S.

[Becky N]

Took time during my lunchhour today to get some shots...in 20F weather...my finger tips are beginning to get some feeling back now, and this was with shooter mitties on...;) OH, and the skies decided to be overcast during my lunch clear as a bell this morning and later in the after noon:rolleyes:

http://performancephoto.us/images/Beckysgallery/070119-IMG_2605.jpg

[ibdb]

Saw a view like this out the window the other morning and thought of this thread. Luckily (???) it was still really cold this morning.

http://dbberg2.googlepages.com/DBB_070130_9161_potn.jpg

http://dbberg2.googlepages.com/DBB_070130_9163_potn.jpg

[milleker]

Excellent shots all around, great examples of patterns.

[Rense]

Was playing with some silver toning:

http://rense.smugmug.com/photos/128735199-M.jpg (http://rense.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=128735199").

C&C most welcome.

[kpj]

Not sure if the cat works on the rocks or if he's a distraction - any views?

And the other was a rainy day on the terrace. I loved the effect of the water on the tiles.

[Becky N]

Several different patterns here

http://performancephoto.us/images/Beckysgallery/070119-IMG_2610.jpg

[cfpackerfan]

My contribution: (first one is also included in the "Lines" thread. Wasn't sure where it fits better.)

[Becky N]

Is this a conservatory of some type, Cat?

[cfpackerfan]

Is this a conservatory of some type, Cat?

It was inside the Gaylord Opryland Hotel (http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/NashvilleTN/lodging/GaylordOprylandHotel.cfm) in Nashville. Awesomely incredible place.

[Becky N]

Oh, I'm going to put that on my list if I ever go to Nashville.

[Andrew Carpenter]

here's one that caught my eye