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Course Outline & Syllabus
Photographic Design
by Brian Ratty
(Photographic Composition)

The Photographic Design workshop is for any photographer that wants to better understand general composition techniques as it applies to image making. The course has 15 lessons with over 60 tips and instructional points. Additionally there are well over 70 pictures and graphics used as examples of both good and bad design applications. At the end of the course  you can complete an optional exam that will help you better track your understanding of the techniques used with Photographic Design.

There is two free sample lessons for this workshop. To access the remaining lessons you may obtain a user id and password by registering at Admissions.

This workshop was designed for the
beginner and amateur photographer.

Warning: This seminar is copyrighted and intended for the personal use of the user. This workshop and/or it's information may not be used in any other public forum.

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Camera Choice (Lesson 1)
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  • 35mm SLR Camera
  • Medium Format Camera
  • The View Camera
  • Film Proportions

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Lens Choice (Lesson 2)
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  • Focal Length
  • Angle Of View
  • "Normal" Lens
  • Lens Distortion  

The Frame (Lesson 3)
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  • The Long Shot
  • The Medium Shot
  • The Close-up
  • Extreme Close-up

Vantage Point (Lesson 4)
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  • Changing The Vantage Point
  • Dominance Of The Frame
  • Emphasis
  • Distortion  

Selective Focus (Lesson 5)
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  • Maximizing Depth
  • Limiting Depth
  • Three Dimensional Space
  • Impressions Of Depth

Design Elements / Lines (Lesson 6)
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  • Paintings, Drawings & Photographs
  • Recognizing The Elements
  • Curved Lines
  • Straight Lines

Shapes (Lesson 7)

  • Dominant Shapes
  • Abstract Forms
  • Geometric Shapes
  • Visual Juxtaposition

Space (Lesson 8)

  • Two Dimensional Space
  • Three Dimensional Space
  • Illusion Of Depth
  • Subject Space

Texture (Lesson 9)

  • Types Of Texture
  • Roughness
  • Smoothness
  • Lighting For Texture

Color (Lesson 10)

  • Hue
  • Lightness
  • Saturation
  • Color Perception  

Design Principles / Balance (Lesson 11)
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  • Symmetrical Balance
  • Visual Weights
  • Rule Of Thirds
  • Strategic Placement

Movement (Lesson 12)

  • Implied Movement
  • Diagonal Lines
  • Panning With The Action
  • Stop Action  

Emphasis / Repetition (Lesson 13)

  • Subject Prominence
  • Special Relationships
  • Redundant Images
  • Dissimilar Elements

Contrast / Scale (Lesson 14)

  • Color Contrast
  • Line & Shape Contrast
  • Juxtaposition
  • Proportions

Unity (Lesson 15)

  • Arrangement Of Elements
  • Integration
  • Harmony
  • The Final Composition  

Final Exam

30 Multiple Choice Questions