Chike Eduputa CVE Media Photography - IOP A6 Advanced Composition

LIGHTROOM LINK: https://adobe.ly/3uJSSjQ

SCENE: 36 COMPOSITION PHOTOS OF THE WEATHER CLOCK TOWERS OF THE OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE, GREENWICH, LONDON

EQUIPMENT USED

Canon EOS R5
Canon 24-70 F2.8 L IS USM
Canon 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM

SCENE SET UP

The centrepiece of this photographic exploration is the captivating Weather Clock Towers of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Designed by the renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren, these towers hold immense historical significance. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the college exemplifies outstanding architectural achievement, remarkably preserving its original form, design, and materials. Moreover, the Weather Clock Towers themselves hold a unique connection to the field of astronomy, further enriching their historical and cultural significance.

CAMERA SET UP

To capture the essence of these majestic towers, the camera was set to manual mode, allowing for precise control over exposure. Given the outdoor environment, adjustments were made to the focal length, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO throughout the photoshoot. These adjustments ensured optimal exposure in varying lighting conditions, encompassing sunlit areas and contrasting shadows within each scene.

OBSERVATIONS & REFLECTIONS

This photo shoot was a study in composition, achieved entirely in camera with no post-production cropping. Over five hours on a single day, I aimed to capture the subject from various perspectives and lighting conditions, utilising two lenses for both wide landscapes and close-up details. Experimentation was key, as I explored a range of compositions throughout the day, evaluating their effectiveness.

The morning began at 11:00 AM under a cloudy sky, casting a cool blue hue. I started with fundamental techniques like the Rule of Thirds, adjusting exposure and familiarising myself with the subject. As the day progressed, I ventured into more creative compositions, exploring framing, minimalism, horizontal and vertical lines, and symmetry. These early morning shots, particularly the minimalist ones, were later converted to black and white for a distinct visual impact.

By 2:00 PM, sunlight began to break through the clouds, offering new opportunities to play with light and shadow. I moved closer to the subject, incorporating leading lines, diagonals, triangles, colour contrasts, juxtapositions, and vantage points into my compositions. The final shots challenged me to explore even more advanced techniques, including depth of field, triangles, and the Golden Ratio. The covered statue served as a unique element, adding intrigue and depth to the final frames.

This photoshoot served as a valuable exercise in understanding the power of composition in storytelling. By actively experimenting and adapting throughout the day, I captured a diverse range of images that showcased the subject from various perspectives and highlighted the impact of intentional composition choices.

Symmetry, Landscape, Subject Centred

Balance, Leading Lines, Colour Contrast, Depth, Symmetry, Landscape

Vantage Point, Leading Lines, Diagonals

My primary goal in this photo series was to showcase the college's architectural grandeur. Three specific images stand out as exemplary representations of this vision:

1. Symmetrical Majesty: This landscape shot displays the entire college, centred and balanced within the frame. The bottom edge aligns horizontally with the meeting point of the river and the building, adhering to the Rule of Thirds. The left and right sides mirror each other, ensuring the symmetrical placement of the iconic weather clock towers. This composition emphasizes the building's imposing presence and harmonious relationship with its surroundings.

2. Juxtaposition and Contrast: The second image offers a landscape view of the weather clock towers framed against the backdrop of the modern financial district. This composition deliberately highlights the contrast between the historic architecture and the contemporary skyscrapers. The interplay of light and shadow further accentuates this contrast, with the dark columns on the left contrasting the brightly lit ones on the right. The inclusion of a couple walking down the central path utilises leading lines to draw the viewer's eye and adds a touch of human presence to the scene. The warm tones of the building and pavement, coupled with the lush green grass, evoke a sense of springtime vitality.

3. Emphasizing Scale: The final photograph adopts a strategic vantage point, positioning the weather clock tower to the right of the frame. This composition encourages the viewer's eye to travel along a diagonal path, starting from the negative space on the left, upwards towards the tower's peak, and then downwards along its imposing columns. This visual journey emphasizes the building's immense scale and grandeur.