In the Moment:
Michael Frye's Landscape Photography Blog

Two New Workshops for 2012!

Aspen circle, June Lake Loop

Aspen circle, June Lake Loop


Eastern Sierra Fall Color: Composition and Creativity Among the Aspens

October 18 (eve.) – 21, 2012

Is an eye for composition something you’re born with, or can it be taught—and learned?

The technical aspects of photography are pretty concrete. With a little instruction anyone can learn to read a histogram or control depth of field. But composition, creativity, and seeing are more nebulous. The infinitely varied world we photograph doesn’t lend itself easily to compositional rules and formulas. There’s a reason no one has yet developed an app that tells you when you’ve framed a good photograph!

I used to think an eye for composition was innate, but over the years I’ve changed my mind. I’ve seen my own compositional skills improve with time, but more importantly, I’ve watched many students—even some who thought they lacked that innate ability to “see”—grow and develop their sense of design, sometimes in great leaps. Composition can be taught, and learned by anyone. And no matter how long you’ve been making photographs you can always learn more.

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