In architecture, composition refers to the conception of a building according to principles of regularity and hierarchy, or according to the principles of obtaining equilibrium. However, it is not until the beginning of the nineteenth century that the notion of composition becomes truly associated with architectural conception, notably under the influence of Jean-Nicolas-Louis Durand and his statement on the Marche à suivre dans la composition d’un project quelconque [Procedure to be followed in the composition of any project]. The concept quickly erodes during the twentieth century, with the adoption of neutral architectural devices, the use of aggregative processes, and the adoption of "objective" operations, all of which can be understood as an attempt to move beyond compositional principles. In Composition, Non-Composition, Jacques Lucan invites his readers to consider this novel historical perspective of architectural theory. The author describes the interaction of ideas that often clash with one another, with some that fade away as others emerge, thus offering invaluable keys to understanding contemporary architecture. Although this book is primarily addressed to students of architecture, it will also appeal to architects, historians of architecture, as well as to the interested public.

Well arranged, logical, and aptly illustrated, this classic survey covers every aspect of the design process. It addresses architectural principles as well as their practical application, examining general questions of scale, balance, proportion, and symmetry and presenting detailed treatments of doors, windows, walls, stairways, columns, and other features. Long acknowledged as a valuable resource for students and teachers alike, this volume is unsurpassed in terms of the richness of its material and the consistency of its insights. It was written by Nathaniel Cortlandt Curtis, an influential designer and artist who served as the head of the Tulane School of Architecture. Curtis illustrated his work with nearly 250 line drawings that depict architectural elements from a splendid variety of periods and settings, from ancient Rome's temples and palaces to modern-day hotels and museums of Paris and New York.

Originally published: New York: Longman, c1979.

The hands-on instruction that digital photographers need to compose great shots Introducing readers to the basic elements of design, this full-color guide shows photographers step by step how to frame great compositions before they take the shot. Instructions, advice, examples, and assignments cover all types of photography.

Now that you’ve bought an amazing new DSLR, you need a book that goes beyond the camera manual to teach you how to take great shots. That’s where Composition: From Snapshots to Great Shots, Second Edition, comes in, teaching you the fundamentals of composition—the creative arrangement of elements in the shot, and the way a viewer’s eye travels through an image—so you can get great shots no matter what gear you use. In this book, author and professional photographer Laurie Excell starts with the basics of composition—such as the popular rule of thirds—and illustrates how elements like color, shape, angles, and contrast work to create compelling images. In the process, she covers all key camera features that affect composition (regardless of what type of DSLR you have), including the ability to freeze and convey motion depending on what shutter speed you choose, and the correlation between aperture and depth of field. In addition to dozens of brand-new images and more in-depth coverage on topics such as patterns and textures and arranging elements in a frame, this revised edition features several completely new chapters. These will include a chapter of step-by-step examples that highlight the compositional technique used to get just the right shot; a new chapter on black-and-white photography; and a chapter on what to do after the shot—enhancing and editing the images in post-processing. Beautifully illustrated with large, vibrant photos, this book will help you bring your own unique artistic expression to any situation whether taking portraits, action shots, landscapes, or events, teaching you how to take control of your photography to get the image you want every time you pick up the camera. The book includes coverage of Lightroom for image management; Nikon Capture NX2 for RAW processing; Photoshop for image processing; and NIK and OnOne software for creative effects.

Critical Expressivism is an ambitious attempt to re-appropriate intelletual territory that has more often been charted by its detractors than by its proponents. Indeed, as Peter Elbow observes in his contribution to this volume, “As far as I can tell, the term ‘expressivist’ was coined and used only by people who wanted a word for people they disapproved of and wanted to discredit.” The editors and contributors to this collection invite readers to join them in a new conversation, one informed by “a belief that the term expressivism continues to have a vitally important function in our field.”

Gertrude Stein's "Composition as Explanation" delves into the intricate relationship between language and artistic expression. Published in 1926, the essay explores Stein's unique approach to writing and challenges conventional perceptions of composition. With a distinctive prose style, she reflects on the nature of creativity, emphasizing the significance of repetition and abstraction. Stein's work serves as both an exploration of her own artistic process and a broader commentary on the essence of language in shaping our understanding of art.