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Upcoming Scientific Conferences

Tenth International Conference on Communication & Media Studies
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris, France). September 2025
Paper presentation: Empiric Research Framework for the Assessment of the Impact of Material Constraints on Aesthetic Value of Documentary Films: A Concept Paper on an Empirical Research Methodology

Visible Evidence XXX – Decentring Documentary: New Visions and Perspectives
Monash University (Melbourne, Australia). December 17 – 20, 2024
Paper presentation: Redefining Traditional Aesthetic Norms in Documentary Cinema Through Experimentation and Innovation in Narrative Structure and Storytelling Techniques

ԿՐԹՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ / Photography

Stronger Composition: Pyramid / Triangular

The concept of the Pyramid composition in photography, also known as Triangular composition or the rule of thirds applied diagonally,

The use of triangular or pyramid-like compositions can be traced back to classical art. Painters and artists often arranged elements in triangular formations to achieve balance and harmony in their works. Examples are Sandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” (c. 1484–1486), Raphael’s “The School of Athens” (1509–1511), Rembrandt van Rijn’s “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp” (1632), Michelangelo Buonarroti’s sculpture “Pieta” (1498–1499).

The photos published on this page are a matter of copyright.
Photo credits to: Seg Kirakossian

ԿՐԹՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ / Photography

Stronger Composition: Frame Within the Frame

The “Frame Within the Frame” is a compositional technique in photography where the photographer uses elements within the scene to create a frame around the main subject.

Before looking for framing elements, identify the main subject of your photograph. It could be a person, an object, or a scene that you want to highlight and draw attention to. Then look for elements within the environment that can naturally frame or surround your subject. This could include archways, doorways, windows, tree branches, or any other structural or natural elements that form a visual border around the subject. The frame acts as a visual guide, leading the viewer’s eyes towards the central subject.

The type of frame within the frame you choose can influence the mood of your photograph. For example, an arched doorway might add a touch of elegance, while tree branches might create a more natural and rustic feel.

Picture SKRC 4.1, Frame Within the Frame

The photos published on this page are a matter of copyright.
Photo credits to: Seg Kirakossian

ԿՐԹՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ / Photography

Stronger Composition: Leading Lines

The principle of Leading Lines is a compositional technique in visual arts, including photography and painting, that involves using lines within an image to guide the viewer’s eyes towards a specific focal point or area of interest. Leading lines are essentially paths or visual elements that help direct attention, create a sense of movement, and enhance the overall visual impact of the composition.

leading lines composition — Picture SKRC 3.2.1, Leading Lines

The primary purpose of leading lines is to draw attention to the main subject or focal point of the image. Whether it’s a person, an object, or a specific area, the lines act as a visual pathway that directs the viewer’s eyes towards the intended center of interest. Leading lines can take various forms, including straight, diagonal, curved, or zigzag patterns. The choice of line type depends on the desired effect and the characteristics of the subject. Diagonal lines, for example, can convey a sense of energy and dynamism, while curved lines may suggest grace and flow. These lines can be literal, such as rivers, tree branches, roads, pathways, or railings, or implied through the arrangement of shapes, shadows, or other elements.

By incorporating leading lines that converge towards a vanishing point, the photographer can simulate perspective, making the composition feel more immersive and three-dimensional.

While the term “leading lines” might not have been explicitly used in classical art, many artists employed compositional techniques that guide the viewer’s eyes towards a focal point or subject within the artwork. Among examples are Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” (1495–1498), Caravaggio’s “The Supper at Emmaus” (1601), Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” (1889).

The photos published on this page are a matter of copyright.
Photo credits to: Seg Kirakossian

ԿՐԹՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ / Photography

Stronger Composition: Golden Ratio

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13… This is called Fibonacci sequence – a series of numbers where each number is the sum of two previous ones. The ratio between consecutive Fibonacci numbers corresponds with the Golden Ratio. The concepts have been known since ancient Greece where it was explored by mathematicians, such as Euclid.

The Golden Ratio, often represented by the Greek letter phi (Φ), equals 1.618. This ratio has been found in various aspects of art, nature, and architecture. It looks like a spiral that involves dividing an image into squares.

Golden Ratio example on a photo — Picture SKRC 7.1, Golden Ratio

The choice between the golden ratio, the Rule of thirds or Symmetry in photography often depends on the specific goals of the photographer and the characteristics of the subject/landscape. Each composition can be effective in different contexts. Here are situations where the golden ratio might be preferable:

Spiraling Compositions (curves or spirals);
Subtle Emphasis on Key Areas (no domination by the main subjects);
Artistic or Abstract Photography.

The form of a spiral that is based on the rule of the Golden Ratio can be compared to natural phenomena too, for example, Sea Shells, Sunflowers and Flower Petals, Pinecones and Pineapples, Hurricanes and Galaxies, fingerprints etc.

The video below visualises all the philosophy laying under the Golden Ratio.

Here is a brief overview of the evolution of the Golden Ratio:

Historical Use: Artists and architects in ancient Greece, such as Phidias and the builders of the Parthenon, were likely aware of the aesthetic qualities of the golden ratio, even if they didn’t explicitly name it. Elements of the golden ratio can be seen in their works.

Renaissance Artists: During the Renaissance, artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo showed an interest in the golden ratio and incorporated its principles into their compositions. Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” is often cited as an example of the golden ratio in art.

Mathematical Treatises: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, mathematical treatises explored the properties of the golden ratio, and its relationship with aesthetics gained attention in academic circles.

Photography: When photography became an established art form, photographers and educators began to apply compositional principles inspired by the golden ratio. The idea was to use the ratio to guide the placement of key elements within the frame for a more balanced and visually pleasing result.

The photos published on this page are a matter of copyright.
Photo credits to: Seg Kirakossian

ԿՐԹՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ / Photography

Stronger Composition: Symmetry

Think about a butterfly’s wings – they’re the same on both sides, right? That’s symmetry in nature. Now lets imagine you’re taking a picture of your favorite toy or a beautiful flower, and you want it to look extra special. Try placing things so they match on both sides of your invisible line.

If you draw an invisible line right in the middle of your picture (vertical or horizontal), everything on one side should be like a twin or a reflection of everything on the other side. It’s like creating a perfect world of doubles. Symmetry makes your photo feel calm and balanced.

The rule of symmetry in photography is a compositional guideline that involves creating balance and harmony in an image by aligning elements along a central axis. Symmetry can be found in various forms, such as reflective symmetry (mirror image) or radial symmetry (circular balance).

This rule is directly connected with human biology. Particularly, our brain has a natural affinity for symmetry, and this preference is believed to be rooted in both evolutionary and cognitive factors.

Evolutionary Advantage:
Evolutionary psychologists propose that the preference for symmetry may have evolved because symmetrical features are often associated with good health and genetic fitness. In the animal kingdom, asymmetry can be a sign of developmental issues or genetic abnormalities. Therefore, individuals with more symmetrical features may be perceived as healthier and more likely to pass on robust genes to their offspring. Over time, this preference for symmetry may have become ingrained in human psychology.

Cognitive Efficiency:
Symmetrical patterns are often simpler and more regular than asymmetrical ones. The human brain tends to process and recognize familiar, regular patterns more quickly and efficiently. Symmetry provides a sense of order and predictability, making it easier for the brain to process visual information. This cognitive efficiency may contribute to the aesthetic appeal of symmetrical designs.

Aesthetic Pleasure:
The brain also experiences a sense of pleasure and aesthetic satisfaction when encountering symmetrical patterns. This response is evident in various forms of art, architecture, and design. Symmetry can create a feeling of balance and harmony, which is pleasing to the human eye and contributes to a positive emotional response.

Neurological Processing:
Studies (1, 2) using brain imaging techniques such as fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) have shown that the brain responds differently to symmetrical and asymmetrical stimuli. Symmetrical patterns may activate certain areas of the brain associated with reward and positive emotions.

Cultural and Environmental Influences:
While there may be some universal aspects to the preference for symmetry, cultural and environmental factors also play a role. Different cultures may have varying preferences for symmetry based on artistic traditions, historical influences, and aesthetic norms (for example, African Textile Designs, Ancient Chinese Calligraphy and Art, Baroque Architecture in Europe, Mesoamerican Art and Murals, Armenian Carpet Patterns etc).

In the picture SKRC 2.1 you can see an example of symmetrical composition. Meanwhile the SKRC 2.2 is an example of how the composition can’t be considered a symmetry as the background, particularly the building, appears differently on the right and left sides of the central axis.

The photos published on this page are a matter of copyright.
Photo credits to: Seg Kirakossian

ԿՐԹՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ / Photography

Stronger Composition: Rule of Thirds

Avez-vous entendu parler de la règle des tiers?

Imaginez que vous fassiez un dessin ou que vous preniez une photo de quelque chose ! La règle des tiers est une astuce secrète qui peut rendre votre image encore plus attrayante et agréable. Selon cette règle, au lieu de tout placer au milieu, imagine que ton dessin est divisé en neuf carrés, comme une grande tablette de chocolat. Deux lignes montent et descendent et deux lignes traversent. Ces lignes créent neuf parties égales, comme les morceaux de votre chocolat préféré !

La philosophie de cette règle est la même que celle qui consiste à préparer une délicieuse pizza en répartissant uniformément toutes les garnitures. En d’autres termes, vous devez essayer de placer les parties/objets les plus importants de votre photo là où les lignes se croisent ou le long des lignes, comme si vous cachiez un trésor dans un endroit spécial.

rule of thirds with grids — Picture SKRC 1.2.2, Rule of Thirds

Vous ne savez toujours pas de quoi il s’agit? Continuez!

La règle des tiers est une ligne directrice de composition utilisée dans les arts visuels, y compris la photographie/vidéographie, la peinture et le design.

L’origine de la règle des tiers n’est pas attribuée à des personnes ou à des auteurs spécifiques, car elle a évolué au fil du temps et constitue un principe largement accepté dans les arts visuels. Elle remonte toutefois à l’art grec ancien et au concept du nombre d’or, qui consiste à diviser une composition en proportions esthétiquement agréables (par exemple : le nombre d’or, dont nous parlerons plus tard sur mon site web).

L’expression “règle des tiers” a gagné en popularité aux XVIIIe et XIXe siècles, en particulier dans le domaine de la peinture. Les artistes et les théoriciens ont prêté attention aux compositions asymétriques afin de créer des œuvres d’art plus dynamiques et visuellement attrayantes. Bien que le concept n’ait pas été nommé exactement “règle des tiers” à l’époque, le principe consistait à diviser la toile en tiers.

Dans le cas de la photographie, la règle des tiers s’est répandue au 20e siècle avec l’apparition des directives de composition photographique. Les photographes et les éducateurs ont commencé à utiliser le terme et à promouvoir la règle comme un outil utile pour créer des images dynamiques.

Par exemple, dans l’image SKRC 1.2.2, le navire est positionné dans le point de croisement supérieur droit de la grille de la règle des tiers. La ligne d’horizon, qui sépare le ciel de la mer, s’aligne sur la ligne horizontale supérieure de la grille. En outre, la ligne entre le rivage et l’eau correspond à la ligne horizontale inférieure de la grille. En respectant la règle des tiers, la photo présente une composition agréable à l’œil, qui guide le regard de l’observateur sur l’image tout en mettant en valeur des éléments clés tels que le navire et la ligne d’horizon.

Voici comment vérifier si l’appareil photo de votre smartphone respecte la règle des tiers :

Paramètres de l’appareil photo :

Ouvrez l’application de l’appareil photo.
Cherchez l’icône des paramètres/options.
Naviguez jusqu’à l’option “Grille” ou “Lignes de la grille”.

Activez les lignes de la grille et l’écran de votre appareil photo sera désormais doté de la grille de la règle des tiers (il peut également y avoir d’autres options de lignes de la grille).

Il s’agit d’un outil précieux pour les photographes amateurs et expérimentés utilisant des appareils mobiles.

Les photos publiées sur cette page relèvent du droit d’auteur.
Crédits photos à : Seg Kirakossian

Ոչ ֆորմալ

DOCUMENTARY FILMS IN EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Documentary cinema is a type of art but it also speaks with a voice of reality which contains divers colors. And the youth work is a way to try solving problems of young people through giving them competences. Combining youth work and the documentary film is a good way to bring more attention on youth problems, to raise awareness about the rights and opportunities and to share a culture of a group or an individual that they want the world to see.

My first tries in this field were in 2008 when I, as a member of World Independent Youth Union NGO and as a film directing student, made a 3 part interactive 20 minute documentary film on people who faced a discrimination in Armenia. Later it was used to make debate series in Armenian schools with support of the European Youth Foundation and in frames of the Youth Peace Ambassadors project (2 year course) by the Council of Europe. It was my way to become a trainer.

Later it became my aim to let youth workers know about the potential power of the documentary art to be used in the emotional education.

The first large-scale try was the Erasmus+ training course in Armenia called “MovieDoc” (2017) aimed to make a space for youth workers and people with autism to work together using documentary filmmaking as a tool of communication and dialogue. It was organized by “Foreign Students of Luxembourg”, Co-hosted by Doctor Cinema and financed by Erasmus+ National agency of Luxembourg: Service National de Jeunesse. Participants were from Luxembourg, France, Greece, Portugal, Georgia, Belarus, Russia, Armenia. For the youth workers it was a possibility to gain experience in a safe environment and to use it later in their communities. For the young people with autism it was a safe learning and communication space. The overall training mood and the feedback that we got from the group after the project was motivating for our team and in 2018 the idea came back to life again in different form.

The project “DocuSpeech Against Hate Speech” was consist of a Training Course in Luxembourg and a Seminar in Armenia. It organized by Foreign Students of Luxembourg, Co-hosted by Doctor Cinema with a financial support of Erasmus+ Programme granted by Luxembourgish National Agency – Anefore. The aim of the project was to empower youth workers from Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Georgia, Russia, Armenia with the skills of documentary filmmaking and using their films in their own projects. Participants created 5 session outlines about the topics of discrimination, disability, media literacy, critical thinking and Love Speech using the videos they’ve created n frames of the project. 4 session outlines are published in the Salto-Youth website and the links are below.

https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/toolbox/tool/love-speech-for-a-world-without-hate.2607/

https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/toolbox/tool/workshop-on-critical-thinking.2606/

https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/toolbox/tool/check-the-fake.2608/

https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/toolbox/tool/not-just-words.2553/

The positive resonance among participants of the previous experiences not only made us to feel the importance of the topic but also the Norvegian Erasmus+ National Agency Aktiv Ungdom, which supported the realization of the project “DocuRights”. It was organized by Frie Filmere NGO and hosted by Doctor Cinema in Armenia. The aim was to promote usage of international documentary movies in youth work as tool of emotional education.

https://www.facebook.com/DocCinema/videos/657542984654679/?__xts__[0]=68.ARAqdKmDfppMOYD-MH1qbEvnGUkv83tZy_Fj3SW184GI7BbNbpcZ5pbtPNdbiA-IPf8l8d5-qqHPMGcE2klrYu7Ay8D11ye3sQyKBwe2uCwTFxRWtfN9IpeUp4fGoiH1esh9G3_HtYN_yGtgw9zM8nIekaftdOSWIn_ocEaFvVhPGhEeuYQnFGMTPhJ-zpBxctBevnqnebLX2bGd6ZNV9-FyLAIXyCK5tzUztpFt-bLsT4Ps9gyecB6PceHTSXY9OvQatljlmYZ4rEbZnK_zwYVpbUxsEtsFd2nfx8efXxhPdPpwy9SVxwvw4azU5fh45ErfQB9Y5bkX-wlhzz5lrFbTOuYZ6_w7cvxoFg&__tn__=-R

The practice showed that the long-term involvement of participants creates an additional motivation for learning so we plan to continue promoting the usage of documentary films in youth work as a tool for dialogue, emotional learning tool, co-working space, a way to raise a voice and an intellectual entertainment.

P.S. I am grateful to Foreign Students of Luxembourg, Amities Luxembourg Armenie, Frie Filmere for their trust and support to me as a trainer, to the National Agencies of Erasmus+ in Luxembourg (Anefore, Service National de Jeunesse) and in Norway (Aktiv Ungdom) for believing in our projects, and to my colleagues who give me lots of energy to go on.

Կինոքննադատ

Nanook of the 21st century

A review about the documentary film Makala (2017) by by Emmanuel Gras.

A man is seating near the huge tree that he just has cut and the leave shadow is moving on his head like it strokes him. Such kind of scenes are the core of the film Makala by Emmanuel Gras. It has more to show than to tell.

“Nanook of the North” was the first film about which in 1922 the term documentary was used as a movie characteristic. Nowadays, when the film Makala is shot with a similar topic (the daily struggle of the “man of nature), there is a worldwide tendency to erase the border between fiction and documentary as it’s difficult to define. And really, if the story of Makala wouldn’t be too simple, it would be less likely to believe that that it’s a documentary. Everything that happens in the film is more than natural, more than well prepared. The only scene when the camera gets in a documentary panic is when the heavy loaded bicycle falls down on the road and obviously the protagonist can’t fix it alone.

It’s usual to say that the films are good if they make a feeling of identification and empathy in audience with protagonists. That makes easier to follow the story. The author of Makala – Emmanuel Gras, didn’t try to follow this principle: who would like to work hard to make coal and get paid for it almost nothing, as the protagonist does. On the other hand there are not many obvious conflict situations. So why it’s still interesting to follow the flow of time showing nothing special. The secret is the HOW. First, it’s joyful to follow how the camera plays with objects, lights and shadows. For example, the bike is overloaded with an impressive big size shipment. It’s riding on a sand road. It’s shadow is sliding on the ground and the wheel shadow close-up can make the spectator emotionally experience the suffering of the bicycle. There are also hidden conflicts throughout all the film – a conflict between man and the rules of the world where he loses and which is metaphorically shown in the road scene when the protagonist is lost in a dust made by cars driving nearby.

Though the peaks of storyline are on the road scenes, but the key point is in the end, which makes the film complete, reasonable and independent from being called a remake of Robert Flaherty’s “Nanook”. It’s about the Christian church gathering scene, especially the sentence with the following message – if you are an honest man than the torture of daily life will not affect on you, if you are not honest than it will.

So the film is about honesty – the protagonist is no t stealing for building his dream house, not taking taxes from other workers like he is being stopped on the road. The director created so honest character that even the tree he cuts is “stroking” his head.

The work with people shot in the film is another subject worthy to pay attention. There are 3 main ways to make people not to be constrained with a presence of the camera:

hidden camera;
task giving (like actors);
long-lasting shootings.

The director didn’t left signs in the film to understand which one he used. For example, in the scene where another man (antagonist) asks the protagonist to pay a tax and the camera is shooting from distance a doubt can appear – does the tax collector knows about camera. If yes – is he acting, or why he let them to shoot? Usually people doesn’t welcome the idea of being filmed while doing illegal actions. If he doesn’t know than how the flip-on microphone and the camera (probably with a tripod or steady-cam) were not noticed by the people around. But such kind of doubts during the film don’t harm the documentary value of Makala as a love and an honest look of the author is present in the movie and they are dominant compared to the hardly noticeable issues.

At the end of all, Makala is here to prove once again that the documentary cinema didn’t change its nature within 1 century – as worse it is for protagonists in real life as better for the documentary film. It’s crucial to accept but in 1920s Flaherty didn’t help anyhow his protagonists to survive the heavy living conditions but only captured it. 2 years later after the premiere of the film about himself – Nanook died because of hunger. A century later Emmanuel Gras still captures a heavy living conditions and it’s so beautiful on the screen, so poetic.

Seg Kirakossian

The review is written in frames of the film critics’ workshop by Olivier Pélisson during Golden Apricot international film festival 2019

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Film Suggestions

There are films that I consider worthy everyone to watch as they can wider your impressions about the cinema art. Here is the list I would suggest to watch and that I’ve found full films online.