A single figure small -II
Thinking further about the impact and the meaning of a single figure small, the selection of images below helped me to analyse this in a variety of different settings.
In image 1, there is a sitting figure featured inside a cathedral. It is positioned at the lower right quarter of the image and blends in quite well with the tonal range of the surroundings. This means it is quite possible to miss it at first and only realise it is there when following the rows of chairs towards the well-lit up altar at the back of the image.
The image would certainly look and feel differently without any people present, equally it would have a different feel if there are a lot of people captured in the shot.
The presence of the figure and its positioning within the frame certainly makes an impact though I wonder if it might also introduce an element of a cliche, leading the viewer to a certain way of perceiving this image.
Image 2: I could not help and had to take this photo - the opportunity attracted me as it showed a small figure facing a large cruiser ship passing by. To make the impact even more significant, this person seemed to be standing on a single rock perched out of the water and was surrounded by the sea.
To emphasise the scale of the cruiser ship I made sure that the tiny specks of human figures dotted around its deck area are included in the picture.
I positioned the man's figure at one of the cross points of the frame's grid to make the full use of the rule of thirds.
It won't be easy to miss the black figure as it stands out so well against the blue sea water all around it.
The single figure makes a strong point here - without it the interpretation of the photo would be totally different.
I think it is quite light and humorous and it makes me think about the human as the Creator, the world we made for ourselves and the human vulnerability of facing the man-made technological miracles and devices.
Image 3 present us with a slightly different setting.
Here we observe someone sitting on a wooden decking boards outside of a building, facing away from the camera and looking out at the sea.
Similar to the previous two images, the figure is quite anonymous - it would be difficult to make many assumptions about the person as they are too far from us and we don't see their face.
Again, observing the rule of thirds I dropped the figure to the lower left corner of the image. The lines of the decking areas and the outline of the building on the right hand side lead the viewer's eye to the man's figure making it difficult to miss it.
When taking the photo I could not help noticing that the person's reflection was missing from the window reflection. This made me think about the impermanence and how things sometimes don't seem what they are and how our reflections do not always match our perceived reality. So, for me as the creator of this image, the human figure was one of the decisive elements of this picture. I hope it plays a certain role for my viewer too.
Finally, the image 4 present us with a moody and foggy summer night scene. Once again we are by the sea, there is a building on a right hand side of the image and a small dark figure positioned slightly to the left. The figure is dark and very small. It seems insignificant, lost in the fog and the darkness of the night. It is easy to miss, though its relative darkness makes it stand out against the grey and lit-up background.
The person is moving away from us and we can track the line of the street lights along the route that they seem to follow.
In this image the figure seems so insignificant, merely a punctuation mark lost in a vast and dark space. Nevertheless, it is there to play a very important role - it connects the different elements of the image together. For some, it might perhaps bring a conclusive meaning or simply add a point.
Some conclusions from this exercise:
- A single small figure can make a significant impact, draw a point, and add a meaning to your image. Think carefully what it is you are trying to say and why you need it in the picture.
- In terms of the composition, its positioning within the frame is important so think where you want it to appear. The positioning could change the dynamics of the image.
- Contrast plays a role here as well - how easy or hard is it to spot? Use darker or lighter background to set the figure against it.
- it is worth to know and plan the movement of the figure (if it is moving) - is it moving in or out of the frame? Change the composition accordingly.
- Practice, practice, practice - things become more natural and faster with practice.
Thinking further about the impact and the meaning of a single figure small, the selection of images below helped me to analyse this in a variety of different settings.
In image 1, there is a sitting figure featured inside a cathedral. It is positioned at the lower right quarter of the image and blends in quite well with the tonal range of the surroundings. This means it is quite possible to miss it at first and only realise it is there when following the rows of chairs towards the well-lit up altar at the back of the image.
The image would certainly look and feel differently without any people present, equally it would have a different feel if there are a lot of people captured in the shot.
The presence of the figure and its positioning within the frame certainly makes an impact though I wonder if it might also introduce an element of a cliche, leading the viewer to a certain way of perceiving this image.
Image 2: I could not help and had to take this photo - the opportunity attracted me as it showed a small figure facing a large cruiser ship passing by. To make the impact even more significant, this person seemed to be standing on a single rock perched out of the water and was surrounded by the sea.
To emphasise the scale of the cruiser ship I made sure that the tiny specks of human figures dotted around its deck area are included in the picture.
I positioned the man's figure at one of the cross points of the frame's grid to make the full use of the rule of thirds.
It won't be easy to miss the black figure as it stands out so well against the blue sea water all around it.
The single figure makes a strong point here - without it the interpretation of the photo would be totally different.
I think it is quite light and humorous and it makes me think about the human as the Creator, the world we made for ourselves and the human vulnerability of facing the man-made technological miracles and devices.
Image 3 present us with a slightly different setting.
Here we observe someone sitting on a wooden decking boards outside of a building, facing away from the camera and looking out at the sea.
Similar to the previous two images, the figure is quite anonymous - it would be difficult to make many assumptions about the person as they are too far from us and we don't see their face.
Again, observing the rule of thirds I dropped the figure to the lower left corner of the image. The lines of the decking areas and the outline of the building on the right hand side lead the viewer's eye to the man's figure making it difficult to miss it.
When taking the photo I could not help noticing that the person's reflection was missing from the window reflection. This made me think about the impermanence and how things sometimes don't seem what they are and how our reflections do not always match our perceived reality. So, for me as the creator of this image, the human figure was one of the decisive elements of this picture. I hope it plays a certain role for my viewer too.
Finally, the image 4 present us with a moody and foggy summer night scene. Once again we are by the sea, there is a building on a right hand side of the image and a small dark figure positioned slightly to the left. The figure is dark and very small. It seems insignificant, lost in the fog and the darkness of the night. It is easy to miss, though its relative darkness makes it stand out against the grey and lit-up background.
The person is moving away from us and we can track the line of the street lights along the route that they seem to follow.
In this image the figure seems so insignificant, merely a punctuation mark lost in a vast and dark space. Nevertheless, it is there to play a very important role - it connects the different elements of the image together. For some, it might perhaps bring a conclusive meaning or simply add a point.
Some conclusions from this exercise:
- A single small figure can make a significant impact, draw a point, and add a meaning to your image. Think carefully what it is you are trying to say and why you need it in the picture.
- In terms of the composition, its positioning within the frame is important so think where you want it to appear. The positioning could change the dynamics of the image.
- Contrast plays a role here as well - how easy or hard is it to spot? Use darker or lighter background to set the figure against it.
- it is worth to know and plan the movement of the figure (if it is moving) - is it moving in or out of the frame? Change the composition accordingly.
- Practice, practice, practice - things become more natural and faster with practice.
