A composition is a framework that every creator selects as the basis of the future masterpiece. In this frame, it is essential to note that painters enjoy more opportunities since they are enabled to create a new reality within which every object is placed to the right position. Photographers are likewise free to move the objects upon their will; meanwhile, they still have to work in the context of the already existing reality so that their freedom of action is more limited. In some case, photographers create their composition following the patterns previously created in painting. In this view, the still life genre offers relatively equal opportunities to both creators. Therefore, it is proposed to compare the “Still life with Muscat, Cheese and Pears” by Zoltan Prainer to Nadine Greef’ “Cape Town” collection.

Prainer’s composition attracts by its perfection. As such, the artist managed to depict all the minor details of the still life. There is also a mystery whether he captured the real life composition, imitated the exciting reality or used the work of his imagination. Anyway, the skillful use of the composition framework has helped to create a new reality that charms the viewers at the first sight. The composition created by Nadine Greef seems to be even more striking. Her photography collection “Cape Town” comprises pictures with one or two objects only. Thus, for instance, one might come across a glass of beer being placed on the edge of a table, or red cherries placed against the black ground. In any case, these pictures capture the viewers’ attention thanks to their composition. As such, it might be assumed that they would lose their artistic value unless the original composition that the artist has used. The role of composition both in painting and photography might be best evaluated on the example of simple plots and objects. As such, Prainer and Greef depict the objects of the everyday life which are not likely to capture one’s attention under regular circumstances. Therefore, the creators have to employ supplementary techniques to turn the ordinary things into the work of art. In this view, a composition is an effective tool that helps to achieve this target.

In some cases, modern photographers exploit the already compositions re-creating them in their works to revive the interest in traditional art and to give a new life to the familiar pieces. This might be seen in such pair of works as Caravaggio’s “Medusa” and Vik Muniz’s “Medusa.” The latter is an evident copy of the former with the only exception that the photographer has tried to bring in some new semantic connotations to the work. As such, the modern medusa is depicted on a spaghetti plate. It is essential to note that such adoption of the old compositions by the new masters always causes a contradictive response in the society.