A Sequence of Composition

This exercise is help to me think about the practical process of composition. Rather than using landscapes or objects, the idea is challenge the photographer by choosing a situation that involves people.

I had struggled to find a suitable situation here, as time is very limited at the moment and there aren't many public events going on. It wasn't until I drove past a car boot this morning and thought this would make an ideal opportunity to photograph people which may have the potential for an interesting photo and where situations change every second, giving me the opportunity to walk, view and wait.

Below is a record of the photographs that document life as it happens during a busy car boot in Portsmouth.

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f4.0-1/800-100-60mm
Entry in the car boot

f4.0-1/800-100-55mm
Iconic ice cream vans make an appearance on sunny days

f5.6-1/400-125-250mm
Capering the moment of handing over ice cream for payment

f5.6-1/1000-100-194mm
Women views what's on offer

f5.0-1/1250-100-123mm
View of one stall and their set up to sell many smaller objects

f5.6-1/1600-100-187mm
Further exchanges

f5.6-1/2000-100-225mm
Seller waits patiently for a sale ... or almost falls asleep in the sun!

f5.6-1/800-100-163mm
Buyers browse what's on offer

f5.6-1/2000-100-154mm
A seller goes through what she left and begins to organise

f4.0-1/1000-100-55mm
Browsing the books

f4.5-1/1250-100-74mm
A man sits perched looking through the items

f5.6-1/1600-100-250mm
Another opportunity to witness a potential purchase, while the man looks over the radio

f5.6-1/640-100-250mm
Some of the items for sale where a little on the unique side

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More captured expression from buyers

f5.6-1/400-250-250mm
A busy stream of buyers

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Another exchange

f5.6-1/400-100-220mm
A man examines a fishing rod before purchase. Capturing both buyer and seller deeply engaged in conversation and technical checking
(He didn't buy in the end ... it was bent)

f5.6-1/500-100-250mm
A stall seller checks his items

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An unexpected find, a couple of Vespa mopeds (not for sale)

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Another potential buyer

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Sitting and examining as life goes on all around

f5.6-1/2000-100-250mm
A stall seller prepares her baby clothes for sale






On reflection this was a great exercise. At first I was putting this off as the interaction with other people and taking photos without permission is some what daunting. However, once I got started, moving around, viewing, watching and waiting for that right moment was very addictive and enjoyable.
A few people asked what I was doing, and once I explained they were all very happy and welcoming.
Capturing peoples expressions unaware of the camera has helped create a series of photographs that accurately recreate the 'Car Boot' life.

Objects in Different Positions in the Frame

Composing an image should be a thoughtful process.
In order to understand the different areas of the frame and where to position your subject, this exercise is designed so that you choose a single subject and must show it in different positions while carefully thinking if the photographs works, why id does or doesn't and which appeals most.

f/5.0-1/400-100-135mm (Centred)

f/5.0-1/400-100-135mm (Lower Left)

f/5.0-1/400-100-135mm (Lower Right)

f/5.0-1/400-100-135mm (Upper Left)

f/5.0-1/400-100-135mm (Upper Right)

Reposition the Sun-dial within the frame in the above photos I feel tends to work better for the Upper Left and Upper Right. With in inclusion of the white flowers and contrasting greens faded in the background these two appeal to me more. The Lower Left and Right photos, I feel have lost to much detail of the sun-dial and the photos have become unbalanced in such a way that they do not look good.
The Centred photo lacks composition and appeal.

Fitting the Frame to the Subject

Following my recent upset, of losing all my photographs I wanted to get a move on so for this exercise I decided to op for using my car as the single object. A little dirty due to all the travelling I do with my job but it helps portray a more realistic view and down to earth view of a car/object and not something you'll see on a garage forecourt being sold!

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Standard View of Subject

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Fitting the Frame

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Alternative View

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Close up view of section of car showing details of badge.
The colours here split the photo nicely in two where the silver badge helps draw the eye in.

f/18.0-1/40-125-17mm
Another close up view of the main badge of the car. I decided to centralise the image on this occasion which I feel has given a more striking image as the bonnet of the car stretches away in the distance.

f/18.0-1/30-100-17mm
Another different angled view to help exaggerate the sweeping curves of the car.