These umbrellas and chairs caught my eye as I drove through the California beach community of Ventura. The pattern of yellow umbrellas, dark green chairs and bright sand was irresistible. Although I normally photograph beaches early and late in the day, the colorful umbrellas dictated a mid day approach using a polarizing filter to saturate the blue sky and yellow fabric. Using the compositional rule of thirds, I framed a walkway on the left side between the chairs emphasizing the perspective and leading the viewer out to the ocean. Placing the slot between the chairs off to one side makes the image much more dynamic than placing it in the center. This image is, after all, about graphic design.

© 2007 Chuck Place, Los Angeles DPA Instructor