WPF - World Photography Forum
Home Gallery Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Welcome to World Photography Forum!
Welcome!

Thank you for finding your way to World Photography Forum, a dedicated community for photographers and enthusiasts. There's a variety of forums, a wonderful gallery, and what's more, we are absolutely FREE. You are very welcome to join, take part in the discussion, and post your pictures!

Click here to go to the forums home page and find out more.
Click here to join.


Go Back   World Photography Forum > General Photography > The Photography Forum


The Photography Forum General Photography Related Discussion.

Maths in photography

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 04-05-12, 01:22
Eternity's Avatar
Eternity Eternity is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: London
Age: 36
Posts: 54
Default Maths in photography

Do you think there's a sense of mathematical pattern in good compositions of images? Even in abstract images there's some kind of geometry, some pattern, can't put my finger on it...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-05-12, 20:23
miketoll's Avatar
miketoll miketoll is offline  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7,477
Default

I am no mathematician (an under statement if ever there was one) but I have read that there are several mathematical rules which guide composition. What I mean is if you analyse pleasing compositions then very often proportions and positions of subjects shows that an underlying formula applies in the majority of cases. Compositional rules are not rules of course but guidelines to be understood and applied where appropriate but not rigidly adhered to in every case.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-05-12, 09:58
gordon g gordon g is offline  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Barnsley
Posts: 2,766
Default

Try googling the 'golden ratio'.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-05-12, 10:47
Arthur53's Avatar
Arthur53 Arthur53 is offline  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Spain
Age: 70
Posts: 3,874
Default

Like Mike I am no mathematician but yes composition can be worked to "composition by numbers". Could also Google perspective, composition any other words you can think of.
In my opinion learn too many rules and you have to brake one to follow another. Away from the math composition can also be about things like shape, form, colour, texture, light and dark, the balance of one thing with or against another, the list goes on and on.
All too much for my old brain much prefer "if it looks right it is".
Never the less, rules/guidelines good to know and use and then forget when you choose.

P.s. Just found http://www.photographymad.com/pages/...position-rules . 10 basic guidelines for digital composition.

Last edited by Arthur53; 10-05-12 at 11:44.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18-07-12, 11:14
Arthur53's Avatar
Arthur53 Arthur53 is offline  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Spain
Age: 70
Posts: 3,874
Default

Hi Aly.
I can only repeat looking on the internet as composition using mathematical formulas or not is a huge subject. Try some of the words / ideas above in Google etc.
Lots of articles at.
http://photoinf.com/ on composition not all mathematical. Hope it helps, just the start of a subject you could study for years.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 24-02-16, 15:43
GHK GHK is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Lake District - UK
Posts: 10
Default 1.618

The well known 'rule of thirds', which can be useful if not followed too slavishly,
is an approximation of the golden section (golden mean/ golden ratio). This idea came from the Greeks and many people thinks that it's just an abstract mathematical idea. This is not the case; e.g. it determines the angle at which leaf shoots must grow out from the stem in order to gain maximum value from the light.
A more recent example has been found in the theory which describes the physics of black holes.
The ratio is usually written as 1/1.618, although this is not the exact value.
GHK
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29-02-16, 16:22
ipm's Avatar
ipm ipm is offline  
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: London
Posts: 3
Default

You shouldn't worry about composition, take the shot and if your happy with it... then it's a bonus. There are no rules really. You only have yourself to please : ) it doesn't matter if anyone one else like the photo or not. If you're thinking to much about composition then your not out taking photos.
__________________
Film Takes More Skill To Get Right - but when you do, It's Amazing!

IPM photography
www.i-shootfilm.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20-07-17, 06:13
Rachael Alice's Avatar
Rachael Alice Rachael Alice is offline  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Surat
Posts: 190
Default

Yes, i also see and read some kind of mathematical equations present in guidelines image composition. But honestly i am weak in maths so i didn't understand what is that calculation all about.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20-07-17, 19:09
GHK GHK is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Lake District - UK
Posts: 10
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachael Alice View Post
Yes, i also see and read some kind of mathematical equations present in guidelines image composition. But honestly i am weak in maths so i didn't understand what is that calculation all about.
I'm sorry, but I am not sure exactly what you are saying; are you just making a comment or are you asking for some sort of help or information>
GHK
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:48.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.