Scott Kelby's Crush the Composition

[Iguanasan]

Well I'm not sure anyone really knows the secret to why something is better than something else. You can't put a formula like rules of composition and automatically get a good shot. Art is not a science, and I think that art is something people will never fully understand.

I pretty much agree with your assessment which is why I said "Maybe he doesn't really know, himself.". I just found it disconcerting that he didn't really come out and say that. He started off with the statement that we teach composition the same way we did 100 years ago and alluded to the fact that there is more to know than the standard old "rules" but then he never really came up with anything new.

[Realist]

I pretty much agree with your assessment which is why I said "Maybe he doesn't really know, himself.". I just found it disconcerting that he didn't really come out and say that. He started off with the statement that we teach composition the same way we did 100 years ago and alluded to the fact that there is more to know than the standard old "rules" but then he never really came up with anything new.

I see your point now. He was playing it off that he had more information than he presented. Maybe we should make another rule of composition then.

Rule number 6. "Does it look good." lol

[JAS_Photo]

I do not think he was saying he had "new rules". I think he was saying that instead of showing the rules in a static way, (i.e. A white picket fence leading to a farm to illustrate "leading lines"), he wanted to use a more dynamic approach and show how he worked a subject. His main point being, "work the subject". Your eye catches something in a scene, but it may take a few tries to get it in the camera in a pleasing way. So while you are working the subject, you need to keep in mind your basic rules of composition and compose and eliminate distractions until you get that one shot that says "This is it!" The eureka moment so to speak. Most photographers don't say I am going to get a really good photo of the Golden Gate Bridge today and are lucky enough to get it. The Golden Gate bridge is not that easy. So you have to go out there and work it. And maybe today is not your day for the Golden Gate bridge so you have to go out again and again. And maybe, maybe you will "get it" and maybe the weather gods will be on your side. Nothing is easy.

I attended a seminar with Joe McNally a couple of years ago. When he sets up his lighting scenarios he has a good idea what he has in mind, he just has to do it. He has his camera tethered to his laptop so as an audience we can see his shots. And yes even he, he who is the master of capturing a certain je ne sais quoi, the personality, the gesture, goes through several shots to get to what he is looking for. But he does get there. A good deal of that is from practice, knowing his craft and undoubtedly a part of that is most likely inate; a natural knack.
You want to learn how to make great photos? Take a look at great art. The 8 Elements of Composition -- Art Glossary Definition

One of my favourite all time photos by Jay Maisel. Why is this photo so great?

Print Portfolio | Jay Maisel Photography

I just saw this on 500px:

500px / Photo "casual 4am walks." by Josh Sam

Golden Gate Bridge:

http://500px.com/photo/835071

http://500px.com/photo/4592113

http://500px.com/photo/13203911

http://500px.com/photo/20607769

http://500px.com/photo/32546969

[mbrager]

Thanks for the link to what I thought was a very interesting informative talk. I liked what he said about using a tripod after you "work the scene" and work the settings. Lots of good common sense advice.