PHOTO DESIGN: Image Design and Composition for Photographers is an ebook and was written for photographers of all skill levels. Beginners will learn how to build images from scratch. And self-taught seasoned pros will learn the terminology of the techniques they’ve always used and they will most definitely learn some new tricks and tips.

What makes my book different from all the rest are my composition maps. With these I literally map out every feature of the composition and why its elements were placed where they sit. I provide both a map and an unmarked photo of the same scene so the ideas and techniques can be easily studied. Only someone with a solid understanding of image design could create these maps.

Sample Pages

Table of Contents

About the Author	11
About the Book	11
About the Images	11
Chapter One: Design in Photography	12
The Visual Language	12
The Importance of Learning Design	13
Demystifying Composition	13
Communicating Without Words	14
Chapter Two: Photography in American History	15
Early Cameras	15
The Hand Camera	15
Composing the Early Photographs	16
Innovations in Technology	16
Kodachrome	16
The Digital Camera	17
The Selfie	17
Photography as an Important Art	17
Ansel Adams: A Force in Nature	18
The Greatest Assignment	18
The Zone System	18
Chapter Three: The Visual Experience	19
Approaching The Photographic Image	19
Response to Unfamiliar Art and Styles	19
Beauty In Photography	20
Is It Art?	21
Reading Photographs	22
Evaluating A Photograph	23
Artist’s Intent	23
Emotional Impact	23
Evaluating the Light	24
Structure	25
Execution	26
Sample Execution Mistakes	26
Advanced Evaluation	27
Evaluating Black and White Photographs	35
Evaluation Overview	36
Chapter Four: The Photographic Experience	37
The Art Of Observation	37
Visualizing the Composition	38
Individual Expression	39
More Than Seeing	39
Developing A Personal Style	40
Evaluating Your Progress	41
Evaluating Your Photographs	41
Chapter Five: Considerations For Purpose	42
Horizontal Or Vertical Format	42
Final Format	44
Contrast and Size	44
Sharpness	44
Mood	44
Chapter Six:  The Physical Photograph	46
The Frame	46
Edges	46
Mistakes on the Edge	46
Cropping Joints and Limbs on the Edge	48
Image Divisions	50
Chapter Seven:  Designing The Tangibles	51
Organizing The Composition	51
Unity and Balance: A Good Start	51
Subject Matter	52
Define Subject Matter	52
Treatment of Subject Matter	53
The Main Or Solitary Subject	53
Distance and Size	53
Lens Selection	53
The Effects of Distance on Detail and Color	53
Positioning the Main Subject	54
Centering the Subject for Emphasis	54
Dealing with Unwanted Objects in the Scene	54
Focal Points	61
Living Subjects as Focal Points	61
Focal Points and Balance	61
Focal Points and a Visual Path	61
Multiple and Competing Main Focal Points	61
Lines	62
Straight Lines	62
Vertical Lines	62
Horizontal Lines	62
Diagonal Lines	63
Converging and Diverging Lines	63
Groups of Lines	63
Arcs	63
Curved Lines	63
Zig-zags and Odd-shaped Lines	64
Repetitive Lines	64
Suggested or Implied Lines	64
Creating Fluidity, Movement, and Motion with Lines	66
Tension Created by Lines	66
Shape And Form	67
Shapes and Forms as Structural Elements	67
Texture of Forms	67
Spatial Organization and the Relationships of Forms and Shapes	67
Shapes and Forms and Balance	67
The Emotional Effects of Shapes and Forms	69
Forms, Shapes and Rhythm	69
Forms, Shapes and Unity	69
Chapter Eight:  Designing The Intangibles	70
Light’s Role in Photography	70
The Sun’s Trek through the Sky	70
The Effects of the Sweet Light	70
Reflections: Diffuse and Specular	71
Shadows	71
Direction of Light	72
Front Light	72
Side Light	72
Back Light	72
Top Light	72
Reflected Light	72
Photographing the Effects of Weather	73
Clouds	73
Fog	74
Rain	75
Rainbows	75
Color	76
Basic Color Terminology	77
Analogous Hues	78
Monochromatic	78
Gradations	78
Complementary Colors	78
Neutrals	78
Color Associations	79
Choose Colors to Influence and Create Mood	79
Creating Color Harmony	79
Color Continuity	80
The Perceived Weight of Colors	80
Space and Depth	81
Negative Space	81
Perspective	83
The Picture Plane	83
Line of Sight	83
The Ground Plane	83
Achieving Visual Balance	83
Using the Rule-of-Thirds Grid	84
Using Symmetry	84
Angles And Height	86
Chapter Eight: Popular Composition Styles	87
Bulls-eye Composition	87
Showcase	87
Near-Far	87
Layers	88
Close-up	88
Abstract	88
Composition Maps	89
Map One: Multiple Main Focal Points and a Visual Path	90
Map Two: Lines – Cradle the Subject	92
Map Three: Subject Merge	94
Map Four:  Perspective	96
Map Five:  Supporting Focal Points, Weight and Color Continuity	98
Map Six: Types of Borders	100
Map Seven: Layers	102
Map Eight: Horizon Line Placement	104
Map Nine: Structure  and the Rule-of-Thirds Grid	106
Map Ten: Rule of Thirds Lines and Power points	108
Map Eleven: Value Distribution and Shapes	110
Map Twelve: Harmonious Image Division	112
Map Thirteen: Off-center Placement	114
Map Fourteen: Cool vs. Warm Hues	116
Map Fifteen: Competing Focal Points and Image Division	118
Map Sixteen: Visual Tension	120
Map Seventeen: Distractions	122
Map Eighteen: Organize Basic Elements	124
Map Nineteen: Compare Compositions	126
Map Twenty: Structure and Content Division	128
Glossary	130
Bibliography	133
Books	133

Purchasing Photo Design: $25.00

I use PayPal for all financial transactions and have had not a single problem with financial transactions for almost 20 years. Please contact me for invoicing and transfer of the document. gloriahopkins@gmail.com I usually respond almost immediately.

Because this an intangible, electronic document I offer no refunds. You should rest assured, however, because in the past 11 years of selling Natural Design, the book Photo Design was based on, I’ve had a single request for a refund, and that’s because the student dropped his photography class before it ever started. Thank you so much for your interest and attention.