Color

One of you had mentioned wanting to learn more about color balance.  Here is a chart explaining color temperatures of "white" light sources as shown on a Kelvin scale.  As you can see the color shifts from warm (candle) to cool (daylight).  When shooting with film, photographers must take these levels into account by using the right film (tungsten, type A or daylight) or filter.  Digital photographers can either set the color balance in their camera or adjust afterwards in an editing program like photoshop.

Here you can see the effect that the sun's proximity to the horizon has on color.

The first and last hour of the day are known as the "golden hour," because of the overall warmth the quality of light adds to color photographs.

Okay, this doesn't really have much to do with color but I thought you might find it interesting... This photograph by Richard Misrach was made using two exposures - one with existing light (the background mostly) and the other with a flash (the highlight of the plant).  First he probably made a longer exposure with the light existing at dusk after the sun had gone down but while there was still a glow in the sky.  Then he shot the plant in the foreground with a flash exposure.  If he had exposed just for the sky, the plant would have been a silhouette against the sky.  If he had exposed just with flash, the sky would have been black.  The combined exposure records the scene in a way only possible with the help of a camera.  Interesting, no?

Composition

The Rule of Thirds: Dividing the frame into three sections, either horizontally or vertically often strengthens composition.

In some cases, centering your subject will not yield the strongest composition.  Try placing your subject at the center of one of four intersection points to create a more interesting composition.

Here is another example of rule of thirds.

A symmetrical composition can also be interesting, centering gives the subject a formality and directness it would not otherwise have.

Using the corner - Some subjects lend themselves to placement in the corner of the frame.  This is an unusual composition that may offer a bit of surprise to viewers.

Dominant Lines - In this image, the curve of the fence provides a kind of structural backbone and leads the eye into the scene.  The fact that the line of the fence is countered by the diverging lines of the pickets creates and interesting tension in the photograph.

Emphasis by Contrast - The dark background in this image contrasts with the lighter subject and seems to push it forward in the frame.

The considerable empty space surrounding the subject isolates and emphasizes it. 

Those are the basics, I look forward to meeting with you all soon.

We will move on to more interesting issues and matters of art in the coming weeks!

Feel free to check out my blog to see what kinds of photos I have been taking:

http://switchoutthesun.blogspot.com

Best Wishes, Chris