Xposure 2017, organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, SGMB, is hosting a mix of workshops, exhibitions and exciting activities. The four-day event, running until the 25th of November, will include 32 of the world’s most celebrated photographers, and feature 25 sessions, lectures and live-stage events that aim to reveal the incredible power and influence of photographs in transcending linguistic barriers and geographical boundaries.

The opening day of the event concluded with a number of workshops held by world-renowned photographers throughout the day. Alan Ranger, the UK-based professional photographer and qualified photography tutor, shared insights into creating visually compelling photographs. Participants learnt about photographic composition, a crucial element for great photos.

With the help of examples, Ranger described how composition is the most important part of a photograph and is the first thing that catches the eye. During the interactive session, Ranger answered queries on the importance of proportions in photographic composition, starting off with the photographic frame and the concept of subject placement. He went on to discuss in detail the specific forms of proportion such as balance, the rule of thirds, and the golden ratio and its variants.

Later, in another workshop under the heading, ‘Light and Filters’, Ranger elaborated on expanding the dynamic range of natural light recorded. He elaborated on improving the tonal range in photographs through the use of filters and/or bracketing exposures.

The last workshop of the day, ‘Photography for Image Libraries’, which was conducted by Colin Hawkins, a professional product photographer based in Bath, UK, helped the participants learn how to get the most out of images with the potential to license and sell them through online image libraries.