Composition and Chase Jarvis

Updated 12/31/13

One side of rendering that is rarely talked about is composition.  And since many of the schools have been dropping or lessening the traditional skills being taught, a big bummer,  is the quality of student renders are falling? Technically they are getting better, but so is the technology.  Schools are becoming and have been “profiteering”.  That might be a little harsh, but they are more attune to profits and less to educating.   I went to a session at SIGGRAPH where this exact topic was under debate.  The bulk of the students (paying majority) want to jump right in to 3d skipping the foundation courses.  AND this has impacted enrolment leading schools to change program requirements.  I think this is a shame, but just like Mac Donald's in France, despite the the anti-Mac Donald's sentiment, they are still selling millions of burgers.

With that rant over, I love Chase Jarvis.  He is a commercial photographer and is creating exceptional images.  I heard him speak a couple of years ago and then went to diner with him afterwards.   He is a dynamic speaker and has a unorthodox approach to his art form.  Also he has a 21st century outlook on marking.  Basically, he’s got some skills.   Check out his work and share it with your students.   http://www.chasejarvis.com

And here is a play-by-play of this shot: http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2010/08/scotts-guest-post-play-by-play-post-production-on-this-popular-photo/#more-1903.

Photography is a great “homework” assignment to supplement your rendering curriculum.  It doesn’t have to be with a fancy SLR, just a simple digital camera.   With that said, it should be with a manual SLR, all the skills transfer.  It should even be a weekly assignment; composition is a skill and can’t not be taught over night.  The most important thing  is to be able to  “see” and unless you are looking, you will not see anything.  Not to sound too philosophical, but it all comes to practice and the more one looks for  or thinks about composition, the better their work gets.  ~Cornell  

 

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Also check out his book . . .  The Best Camera Is The One That's With You: iPhone Photography by Chase Jarvis