Sunday Edition: Franka M. Gabler

PHOTOSNACK #518

Every Sunday, I contact photographers previously featured on PHOTOSNACK and ask them to send me their spontaneous thoughts, observations, reflections, or advice.

Today, I am sharing the message I received from Franka M. Gabler.

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Franka M. Gabler

Subject – Focal Point or Supporting Element?

Whether we photograph grand landscapes or intimate landscapes, the choice of subject is important. An interesting subject can make an interesting photograph. This is what we first notice when something attracts our attention. We try to discern what we are attracted to. We recognize the subject. Perhaps it’s a tree, or a rock, or a mountain. And we point our camera at it and begin to photograph it. We begin to think about the composition, primarily starting with the main subject placement. Maybe we consider certain compositional rules – like central subject placement or the rule of thirds.

But sometimes we get so absorbed in the subject matter that it’s almost as if we put blinders on our eyes and we see nothing else. We may disregard other elements in the scene and their properties, such as the visual weight they carry. The properties of such elements can compete with the subject.

For instance, less prominent elements could have brighter tones or more vibrant colors, inadvertently drawing attention away from the focal point. They may move our attention away from the subject, instead of emphasizing it. Sometimes there could be an out-of-focus element in the foreground sticking out of the side of the frame, that we don’t notice in the field. Other times, there could be parts of bokeh that are brighter than the flower we are trying to feature in our composition. If we notice this at the time when we are photographing, we can recompose, maybe change the camera angle or the point of view.

Often, though, we only notice these distractions later, when reviewing the images on our computer. We may need to spend a lot of time in post-processing trying to fix these, and sometimes, there’s little we can do to make it better. Recognizing these flaws is a positive step; it means we understand composition. Failing to notice these details might suggest a need for further learning.

Composition is more than just arranging the subject and the supporting elements within our frame in a particular way. When we compose, we make creative decisions about which elements to include and how to combine them to create a stronger photograph. We need to consider not just their placement but also their properties—such as brightness, color, contrast, and texture—ensuring they enhance rather than overpower the subject. This holistic approach to composition helps us create stronger, more balanced photographs.

Franka M. Gabler was featured in PHOTOSNACK #494.

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Sunday Editions connect you with photographers whose work you previously explored through PHOTOSNACK.

I want to reveal some authentic parts of the people behind the cameras. I don't ask them any specific questions. I ask them to share whatever comes to mind when they think about YOU, the newsletter readers. It makes their responses genuine and personal.

I hope you enjoyed today's Sunday Edition.

Until next time,
Tomasz