Exercise - A sequence of composition.

The object of this exercise was to think about composing an image by taking a sequence of pictures and working towards the one that best showed your idea. I undertook this while in Grainger Market in Newcastle on a recent holiday. The market is an old covered market, the light is variable as some areas are under a glass roof and others are tucked away. It is very busy with lots of people wandering around.

I started by taking pictures of the general scene and of some of the stalls.

 

These 2 general images are quite pleasing but could have been taken in many covered markets.

                              I liked the more detailed pictures of the market wares on display.

We then moved into a bookstall that had piles of books including a section on military history.

I liked the intentness shown here and also the lack of awareness of my photographic efforts while looking for the best bargains. The final picture in this sequence is one of my favourites, as it is personal in showing the hands, but also gives a clear idea of the subject matter sought after.

I then looked at some interesting details in the bookstall, an old dilapidated iron spiral staircase and an unusual roof heating fitting.

We then continued wandering around the market looking for other possible images that gave the feel of the place, including a fruit and vegetable stall:

and some more general views

The original Marks and Spencers in Newcastle

the roof

and a cafe.

This was an interesting exercise and I actually took far more images than are shown here. Overall the pictures that I felt showed the atmosphere best were the unusual fire hanging from the roof and the basket of pomegranates. However, the image that is most personally evocative is the hands holding the books.

Lessons learned:

1. It is well worth looking all around an area before settling on the image
2. The best image is not necessarily the one that shows the most of an area, detail shots can be more revealing
3. The 'best' image will vary with its intended purpose.