Visual Design by Philip Wayner

Introduction

Philip Wayner is a retired master photographer and teacher in "Euclid, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio about a mile from Lake Erie." Using the Internet, he teaches students in Iceland, Argentina, Greece, Australia, Canada, the US, and the Philippines "as the way I keep myself busy."

Phil and Elson are members of Photo Forum. The following articles are excerpts of email exchanges between Phil and Elson from June 29 to July 5, 2002. Phil uses photos by Elson and Michael Mariano to explain visual design.

Part 1: Comment on photo of a Hanunuo Mangyan

JUNE 29, 2002

Hi Elson:

I was nicely surprised to see this image on the forum. I have flipped and cropped the image for several reasons, to add impact and to move the eye to what I believe is the main element, the man.

In your version, because of the great contrast between the outside and the interior of the house, the eye immediately goes to the light area, and then to the man. The eye always goes to the area of greatest contrast.


Compare your shot against the flipped version. What is your comment?

The image was reversed so that

The eye enters the light area which acts as a lead in to the man.
The dog now acts as a lead in to the man.
The dark area is on the right acting as the “fence”.
The narrower vertical format emphasizes the doorway and the man.
I removed the white distractions over the man's head in Photoshop.
Darkened the two objects behind his leg.
The basic composition is a reversed “L’, very strong.

As a result of the tighter cropping the images of the man and dog seem to be larger.

This is a great shot, Elson, I like it very much. Excellent lighting effect, exposure and color, wonderful mood. This photo would be a great one to show the group. And to display on your Philippine website.

Phil

Part 1 2 3 4

The photos are copyrighted.
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