Exercise 17. Multiple points

Below is my third attempt at placing multiple points, I used seashells, driftwood and pumice as they are all found in abundance on a the sea bed.  In each of the attempts the natural grass mat was used as a base.  It works in harmony with the objects selected, adding texture and tones to compliment the seashells.  

I fixed my camera to the tripod for stability and pointed downwards at about a 45 degree angle.  I used only natural lighting from the window.  

Nikon D7000

60 mm lens

Tripod

Exposure mode, Manual 

ISO 200

Fig 1    1/25sec    f/3.2 

Corner placement of larger shell to soften boundary within the frame.  

Curves of the shell edge, represent waves. 

Fig 2     1/30sec    f/3.0

A second placement to balance the first, placed so that it only just can be seen.

Sharp points balance the soft waved edge of shell 1.

Fig 3 

Small piece of driftwood. placed diagonally to create line from the lower shell, taking eye through to upper centre of frame.

Two gentle soft curves in the driftwood, and smooth texture.

Fig 4 

The placement of this shell, creates an implied triangle placed at slight diagonal from the driftwood.

New tones added to the image and pattern created by the spirals of the seashell.

Fig 5    1/4 sec    f/10.0

The 5th placement balances the larger spiral shell.  Although a rounded shape, it takes up a square space.

Rounded edge compliments the wave shapes of larger shell.

Fig 6     0.63sec    f/16.0

Adjusted angle of shell to a diagonal placement, before adding

another shell of similar shape, and of differing pattern, creates a rectangular shape

Fig 7 

Small shell laying along horizontal lines of mat.  Placement in upper third of image.

Pointed ends compliment points of the spiral shell.

Fig 8    1 sec    f/20.0

This smaller shell, is placed vertically between placement of driftwood and spiral shell, breaking up triangular line.  The pointed end, compliments the two points of spiral shell and adds balance to the smaller shell at top left. 

Fig 9 

Triangular pumice placed in lower right third balances the small shell in top left and creates line through the rectangle created by two seashells placed end to end.

Fig 10 

Placement of smaller shell, first shiny surface, blocks diagonal line.

Fig 11 

Second smaller shiny surface, begins to take the eye downwards.

Fig 12

Third placement of small shell, encourages eye to travel downwards, around pumice.

Fig 13

New curved line created by the placement of forth small shell.

Fig 14 

Smaller shell paced at diagonal from top shell, balance seen between both placements of small shells.

Fig 15

Smaller shell placed below first, creating line.

Fig 16.

Final placement creating curved line, complimenting and balancing curved line in lower right. 

Fig 17

Showing lines and shapes created by the multiple placements.  

My thoughts on this exercise

I really enjoyed this exercise, and took a total of three attempts to fully understand it.  I had several looks at the Exercise and eventually ended up with a clearer understanding and have learnt a lot. 

My earlier attempts were not wasted as they gave me food for thought on placement of objects to create lines and shapes. 

Fig 16, my final image is pleasing to the eye and demonstrates multiple points within a frame and relationships between various points.

The placements I have made have created a balanced and  attractive still life.