The Dimensions of Photography

Like the physical universe there are four dimensions which understood, control creativity with the camera.
The dimensions include height, width, depth and time. Time is the streaming factor – the continuation of the other three dimensions successively.
Although still photography is commonly considered to stop time, it is not entirely true. One would be missing a vital aspect of the creative process of photography as by holding open the shutter one can see time elapse at a single glance, in some ways warping the other dimensions.
Let us couple the first two dimensions as they fall under the heading of composition – the selection of elements to fall within the borders of one’s picture.
When looking through the viewfinder one needs to be very aware of the borders of his composition.
There are many rules and tips that fall within the subject of “composition”, but it must be understood that all of these rules fall within the confines of the frame and the first two-dimensions. One of the first lessons to be learned in photography is that there are many ways to view the same thing. To be competent with composition one must learn to observe and to be confident to observe from any location.
The third dimension is depth. This could be broken up into “foreground”, “middle ground” and “background”. One doesn’t have to have all grounds present in a photograph and a picture can be multi-layered, with even more than three. However the more complex the image, the more skill and control one has to exert to pull it off.
There are ways to create depth in a picture, a key one is the use of “depth of field” and “selective focus”.
Depth of field means that range of space that remains in focus. A small aperture gives one a large or long depth of field. In other words one will have a flower in the foreground and the mountains in the back, all in focus.
A large or wide aperture gives one a narrow depth of field or “selective focus”. This throws everything in front and behind the field out of focus, emphasizing the subject in focus.
Controlling aperture, gives one more control of the dimension of depth.
Another controlling factor is the placement of things in the frame. For example, to place something in the foreground one needs to place it in front of another object. I am not saying that one has to literally move the object, although this may be done. But one must be able to change his own viewpoint and by doing so place the environment and objects in it where he so chooses; by placing things in the foreground while closely observing what is behind, one is manipulating depth.
The fourth dimension, time, is controlled by shutter speed. The length of time one leaves the shutter open determines whether you will freeze time or blur it.
It is worthy of note here that the ability to balance shutter speed with aperture size, is one of the main skills of a photographer. Besides affecting the above outcomes, the two combined, control exposure and how much light is allowed into the camera.

A Philosophy of Photography

I believe photography lends itself well to that elusive world of philosophy. And though I don’t think you will find the answers to the universe in the subject of photography I believe you can take a positive first step. First you must realize that a philosophy must become your own.

Therefore, as you read these pages I ask that you work out your own approach, your own meanings. I hope to open some of the key questions and get you thinking, but the conclusions are ultimately yours. Your perspective on life and how you see is already an inherent part of you. I simply hope to bring it to the fore and make it more part of your awareness.

It is an interesting thing with philosophy, we speak of things that we all know about, but by speaking about them we become aware of their significance, and thereby more able to control them and put them into effect.

As a photographer I find the most important facet of the craft not to be the technical skill or specialized technique. If one assumes this to be of the utmost importance he or she is usually too daunted to try anything. Instead it is one’s purpose and inspiration that drives him forward.

Once ones inspiration has been lit the technique falls in place with relative ease – you want to know how it’s done and so find out. In photography to become inspired one most look; look at life, look at books, open ones mind and assume viewpoints. Then when you become interested in something, capture it from all angles. Get down on your knees, point your camera high, examine it up close and again from afar.

To me the art of photography is the ability to move unseen, capturing the image.