Anybody have recommendation on composition? I've read some great blogs on being able to grow on this ability not to just observe a scene but be able to focus on seeing and observing the light--stuff like this--something to get my mind rolling on looking at scenes with different perspectives. I've also been able to read some articles on the effects of a camera placed slightly below eye level does to the feel of the image --typically makes for a stronger impact. Things like this would be some great info!

Look forward to hearing from you all!!

I'd like to think I have a very natural eye for compositions - but when I look back on my life, I realize that it's something I've been working on for a looooong time (without ever realizing it until recently.) Rather than reading books that will give you mathematical formulas for composition (which may result in very contrived images)- start by figuring out what it is that YOU love, so that you are working to create your UNIQUE vision, and not just working on a book standard of what "good" composition means.

Go through magazines, websites, anything you can find that inspires you. When you see an image you can't pull yourself away from - tear it out, print it out, save them all in a folder or scrapbook. Analyze what they have in common, or what is so striking to you. Find out first what it is that YOU are drawn to... then try to emulate it.... then try to go out and make something original that stems from what YOU love.

It won't be nearly as meaningful to read about composition as it will be to simply find that which inspires you and then trying to problem solve your way into figuring out how it works by trying to recreate it for yourself. Experimentation will take you a long way - but it takes TIME. An artistic vision isn't created over night.... it's created after YEARS of analyzing what it is that you love and are inspired by. Personally, I think it should be viewed as a journey and not something which can be learned by reading a book. At least that's my 2 pennies.

Good luck!!!

For composition, just look at great Art.

For learning to see line, color, tone, texture, and value, look at art instruction books and magazines.