Blue Fier 
Composition Photo Workshop 

The hands-on instruction that digital photographers need to
compose great shots

Introducing readers to the basic elements of design, this
full-color guide shows photographers step by step how to frame
great compositions before they take the shot. Instructions, advice,
examples, and assignments cover all types of photography.

Table of Content

Chapter 1: Understanding Composition.

Approaches to Composition.

How You See.

The Origins of Composition.

Understanding Linear Perspective.

Composition and Photography.

Chapter 2: The Elements of Design.

Understanding the Elements of Design.

Arranging Design Elements in the Frame.

The Rule of Thirds.

The Golden Rectangle.

Chapter 3: Depth of Field Decisions.

The Plane of Critical Focus.

Understanding Aperture.

Selecting Lenses.

Previewing and Predicting Depth of Field.

Using the Hyperfocal Distance to Deepen Depth of Field.

Chapter 4: Slicing Time: Designing with Shutter
Speeds.

Shutter Speed and Depth of Field: A Delicate Balance.

Freeze or Blur: How Shutter Speed Affects a Shot.

Using a Motor Drive.

Panning.

Chapter 5: Capturing Light.

The Quality of Light.

The Direction of Light.

The Intensity of Light.

Harnessing Sunlight.

Chapter 6: Working with Color.

Color Theory.

Color Temperature.

The Color of Sunlight.

Controlling Colors by Using Filters.

Chapter 7: Thinking in Black and White.

The Zone System.

Metering and Exposing for Black and White.

Working with Contrast Filters.

Chapter 8: Arranging Appealing Portraits.

A Little History.

Framing Your Photo.

Lighting the Scene.

Color versus Black and White.

Metering the Scene.

Posing.

Photographing Kids.

Chapter 9: Travel and Scenic Photography.

Packing Your Camera Bag.

Scoping Out Y Our Location.

Photographing People on Location.

Chapter 10: Still-Life and Close-Up Photography.

Photographing Still-Life Images.

Macro and Close-Up Photography.

Chapter 11: Improving Your Images.

Understanding File Formats.

Cropping or Resizing an Image.

Adjusting an Image’s Contrast and Color.

Correcting Imperfections.

Fixing the Lighting.

Applying Special Effects.

Backing Up and Archiving Your Image Files.

Taking the Next Step.

Glossary.

Index.

About the author

Blue Fier studied art extensively while in college, receiving a Bachelors of Arts degree in Art from Occidental College; a Masters of Art degree in Art from California State University, Northridge; and a Masters of Fine Art degree in Art from the University of California, Los Angeles. Before committing Himself to photography on a full-time basis more than 20 years ago, working with clients in the travel, real-estate, sports, and environmental industries, Fier was an exhibiting artist for nearly two decades. In addition to working as a professional photographer, Fier has taught photography for 15 years.