Creative Tip from John Paul Caponigro: Defocus

By John Paul Caponigro | Wisdom and Inspiration | Oct 1, 2007

Creativity


© John Paul Caponigro

“There’s nothing worse than a sharp picture of a fuzzy concept.” – Ansel Adams


It’s easy to lose sight of the forest for the trees.

We’re capable of seeing a lot of detail.
Sometimes detail is distracting.
Eliminating it can help us see fundamentals more clearly.

Here’s a quick tip for making sure the foundations of your compositions are strong.


1    Frame an image.
2    Defocus the camera. Defocus enough to lose sight of the details (line and  texture), but not the broader composition (light and dark, color, shape).
3    Refine the composition. Move the camera or zoom.
4    Refocus.
5    Expose.


Images that contain well-rendered detail without a solid compositional structure often appear cluttered and confusing. Develop the habit of slowing down and taking the time to make sure your compositions are as strong as they can be.





John Paul Caponigro is an internationally respected fine artist, author of Adobe Photoshop Master Class, and a member of the Photoshop Hall of Fame.

Get over 75 free PDFs and test files and a free subscription to "Insights" at www.johnpaulcaponigro.com.


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Last Updated: Mar 17th, 2010 - 19:57:22


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