Week 5 - Part I - Composition and Aesthetics

WHAT IS COMPOSITON?? WHAT IS AESTHETICS??

Here are some tid-bits that I have compiled while researching composition.

Formally, composition, especially for painting, graphic design, photography and sculpture, is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject of a work. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art.

In other words, (from dictionary.com)composition (for fine arts) the organization or grouping of the different parts of a work of art so as to achieve a unified whole.

What does that mean to me or for my work?
I need to train my eye, and use my eye to find composition. As a photographer it is important to look at a subject from different angles and perspectives (if possible) to capture and create a composition in which all the elements of the photograph compliment each other in some way.

Two sites -
http://photoinf.com/General/Gary_Stanley/An_Eye_for_Composition.html

http://www.artincanada.com/arttalk/composition.html

One is more of a fine art perspective and the other from a photographer for the photographer. Yet regardless, the most important thing that kept jumping out at me regarding composition, is as the artist/photographer you want to capture/create a composition that impacts the viewer (whether negatively or positively) and makes them wanting or inquirying for more.

And on to aesthetics...
Aesthetics was more difficult to break-down and truly understand. Although I know what it is, it was hard to find the right words/phrases to define it.

(Copied from wikipedia)
Aesthetics is used by some as a synonym for the philosophy of art, while others insist on a distinction between these closely related fields. In practice aesthetic judgement refers to the sensory contemplation or appreciation of an object (not necessarily an art object), while artistic judgement refers to the recognition, appreciation or criticism of art or an art work.

aesthetics, esthetics ((art) the branch of philosophy dealing with beauty and taste (emphasizing the evaluative criteria that are applied to art))

Again... a few sites that I explored.

http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/laa/aesthetics_1.html

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/aesthetics-1.shtml

To sum it up... aesthetics and composition are essential to each other. To have a good composition, a photography needs to have its elements arranged according to aesthetics, to be a 'beautiful or pleasing to the eye, photograph'. To be aesthetically pleasing, your composition has to be effective and correct as well.

My question is.. what if you do not want a beautiful photograph.. rather you want to make the viewer on edge, or to feel jarred?? What if you turn your composition upside-down on purpose, to build a feeling of unrest and interest? Where does compostion and aesthetics play there??