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Mastering Photographic Composition and Visual Storytelling

Lesson 16 of 50

Case Study - The Maternal Bond

Chris Weston

Beginner > Mastering Photographic Composition And Visual Storytelling > Case Study - The Maternal Bond

Mastering Photographic Composition and Visual Storytelling

Chris Weston

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Lesson Info

16. Case Study - The Maternal Bond

Lessons

Class Trailer
1 Your 10,001st Photograph 03:24 2 Camera Gear 03:03 3 Piece of Gear We Always Forget 03:47 4 Be a Storyteller 03:09 5 Finding Ideas For Photography - Know Your Subject 06:59 6 Cae Study - Why Are Zebras Black and White Striped 01:30 7 Photograph What You Love 02:00 8 See the Extraordinary in Ordinary Things 01:31
9 Have an Opinion 01:46 10 See With a Child’s Eyes 02:34 11 Tell Your Story 08:46 12 Find a Needle in the Haystack 01:38 13 Lions Hunting Under Star Trails 04:21 14 Ansel Adams and Visualisation in Practice 03:20 15 Keeping an Open Mind and Thinking on Your Feet 02:47 16 Case Study - The Maternal Bond 02:42 17 Don’t Tell the Same Old Story 02:38 18 Relevance 01:06 19 #1 Reason Photographs Fail 02:57 20 Getting Rid of Clutter 03:59 21 Post Capture Cropping 02:04 22 The Elements of Design 02:31 23 Elements of Design 01:38 24 Elements of Design - Shape 02:21 25 Case Study - Shape 02:11 26 Elements of Design - Color 01:55 27 Case Study - Color 01:50 28 Color in Camera 01:42 29 Pattern 01:54 30 Texture 02:24 31 Seeing The Elements of Design 08:52 32 Gestalt Theory 05:10 33 Case Study - Cove 01:36 34 Case Study - Hat 02:09 35 Light and Contrast 01:54 36 Light and Form 01:26 37 Light and Depth 03:48 38 Perspective 02:28 39 Lenses and Perspective 02:47 40 Rule of Thirds 02:48 41 Centre of Frame 01:36 42 Case Study - Positioning the Subject 01:48 43 Positioning the Subject - Dynamic Symmetry 03:20 44 The Horizon Line 02:52 45 Should the Horizon Line Always be Straight and Level 02:13 46 Other Lines 04:57 47 Rhythm, Balance, and Visual Weight 02:59 48 Negative Space 02:29 49 The Two Most Important Controls on Your Camera 03:41 50 Training the Mind 04:26

Lesson Info

Case Study - The Maternal Bond

A while ago, I was in Borneo photographing orangutan for a book I was writing about endangered species and conservation. Now, because I'd never photographed around town before, I decided to spend a few days at a sanctuary to study the animal's behavior and visualize some ideas for images. On my first evening in the camp restaurant, I met a woman who invited me to dinner, and she turned out to be one of the most fascinating women I've ever met. Dr. Francine Iago was in her eighties and had spent her entire adult life caring for and conserving orang utan. During the conversation, she asked me about my work and specifically what I was doing at the sanctuary, and that Porter's under the subject of conservation. One of the surprising things he told me was that while the many sanctuaries in Malaysia and Indonesia have a part to play in saving individual orangutans, they don't really help in conserving this species as a whole. Now, explaining this, she told me the maternal bond between a moth...

er and baby orangutan is the strongest bond in nature, even greater than that of humans on. But for a baby orangutan to thrive it needs love Justus, much as it needs nourishment. The problem is, she said, that when an orphan orangutan arrives at a sanctuary while feeding, it helps it to survive to thrive. It needs the love of a mother, which, because of the circumstances, is always provided by a human surrogate. But as soon as you habituated orang utan to humans, it can never be released back into the wild. After dinner, as I walked back to my room, I thought about this conversation on what kept coming back to me over and over with Doctor Niarchos, statement about mother and baby, that the maternal bond between a mother and baby orangutan is the strongest bond in nature. I thought, What a beautiful sentiment that WAAS would it be, Geiling and engaging story. And so the next day I went into the sanctuary with the sole intent of photographing that story. I didn't pre plan specific shots. I didn't draw compositions on paper. I didn't Presuppose camera settings. Instead, I put my faith in my knowledge and experience of camera technique, which allow me to be mindful to my task, and I let curiosity fight me, and every time I framed an image. I asked myself the question. Does this composition tell the story when the answer came back? Yes. That's when I pressed the shutter. Captured meaningful image, No.

Class Description

WARNING: THIS COURSE CONTAINS ARTISTIC NUDITY

AFTER THIS CLASS YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:

  • Compose a shot consistently and effectively
  • Create artistic, powerful images quickly
  • Gain confidence in building narrative
  • Identify what stories you’re drawn to photograph
  • Brainstorm and develop concepts for creative shots
  • Trust your instincts when approaching a subject

ABOUT CHRIS' CLASS:

CreativeLive is partnering with Chris Weston to offer you his Complete Photography Master Course. This is the second class in the series.

Today, everybody has a camera, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s a photographer. Chris Weston will show you how to do all the other stuff – how to “see” an image, tap into your creativity, and compose a photograph that makes the subject look as good in print as it does in real life.

This class isn’t about cameras, it’s about you – the photographer. It will break free your creative mind, get you thinking about narrative rather than object, and show you how to apply simple artistic skills that turn that next click into a powerful photograph.

Learn how to approach photography like a pro and start creating great pictures straight away. With in-the-field lessons, case studies and powerful tips and techniques, you’ll quickly unleash your creativity and gain confidence in expressing yourself through your camera.

WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR:

  • Beginner photographers
  • First time DSLR or mirrorless camera users
  • Any photographer who wants to hone their artistic skills

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

Named one of the world's most influential wildlife photographers, Chris Weston takes a contemporary approach to photography. After launching his career in 2001, the Fujifilm ambassador's images have graced the pages of top publications like BBC, The Times, Outdoor Photography, Practical Photography, and Digital Photography. As a photography educator, Chris has written over 20 photography books, along with leading photo tours and online workshops.

Reviews

Edmund Cheung
 

Perhaps the style of presentation and simple, short, and direct messaging does not "jive" with some; but others may really love this. Yes the production of each episode is stylized and perhaps a bit formal (like a TV Show?), but there is something to be said about it. Perhaps this is not meant for professional photographers? I think of myself as decent amateur / high level photographer. I found lots of great nuggets of wisdom and inspiration from this. Especially when I an in a rut for creativity. Yes I have heard all these concepts and ideas before. BUT it is always great to hear and see a different way of presentation and voice. Please do NOT take the naysayer reviews as the end all. You should judge for yourself and watch a few episodes. If the style and content click for you, I would highly recommend this course.

Kai Atherton
 

While I am perhaps more advanced in my photography then this course. It is always great to be able to go back to fundamentals and remind ourselves of the basic principles, and even camera function. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and Chris's other. It is a great motivational jumpstart when lacking fresh creative idea's.

Abdullah Alahmari
 

Thanks a lot to mr. Chris Weston This course is great and It is a 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 course for me. Beside the other course ( mastering the art of photography ) both courses are Complementing to each other and highly recommended.