This webinar is part of the Fred & Edie Greene Speaker Series

Elevating Your Photography
Manfred Mueller

This is an online presentation on composition and creating wow images.

CAPA trains its judges to consider the way the technical aspects of an image have been executed, how the elements have been arranged and the emotional impact the image has on the viewer. As this is how competitions are judged, club members are interested in this information to improve their own work.

Most photographic training materials concentrate on the technical aspects of photography. When it comes to materials on Composition, it tends to be directed at the “Rules of Composition”. Materials on creating images that make an emotional connection with the viewer are not generally available.

This presentation deals with these two elements of an effective image; how the elements of the image are organized. Composition, use of (negative) space and distracting elements in the image. It also covers how a strong image creates an emotional connection with the viewer, mood, impact, subject and imagination.

The presentation shows how many of the great photographers, both present and past approached these concepts. Numerous examples demonstrate these principles using the presentation’s author, Manfred Mueller’s works.

Some time is spent cautioning against a “cookbook” approach to composition and demonstrates the shortcomings of several of the well known “rules of composition”.

Bio:
Manfred is an award-winning, Ottawa based photographer and print maker.

Serious photography has been part of his life since he was in his teens. After high school, he studied mechanical engineering and after graduating, Manfred worked as a Professional Engineer throughout his career. He has studied photography at both Algonquin College and the School of the Photographic Arts – Ottawa (SPAO). Manfred has attended workshops and master classes in Ottawa, Guatemala and India. In 2024, he earned a diploma in photograph arts and production from SPAO.

Manfred is an avid travel photographer and has been to almost different 60 countries. Closer to home, he does still life photography as well as studio-based and on-location portraiture. His work can be viewed at a number of Ottawa area galleries.

He is a member of Ottawa’s RA Photo Club, where he has earned the rank of “Master Photographer”. Manfred has held several executive positions, including Club Chair, Education Chair and Competitions Coordinator. He is a member of the Canadian Association for Photographic Arts (CAPA). He is a CAPA Certified Judge and has judged at the local, national and international levels. He is a member of CAPA’s Education Committee and had developed educational material for the organization.

His work has appeared in Canadian Geographic Travel Magazine, the Ottawa Business Journal and Canadian Camera Magazine.

PGNS members can go to the members only page for the WebEx link to the meeting.