Easy Basic Photography
Basic Photo Composition
Learning some of the basics of photo composition is one of the keys to better photography.
There is no absolute right way when it comes to composing a photo, but we all know that some pictures are
more visually pleasing than others. Most of the time it is not by accident that some pictures just seem to stand
out more than others.
The great thing about learning how to compose photos is that the type of camera you use won't make a
difference. If you use a basic compact camera like the or a Digital SLR
similar to the Nikon D3100, the principles and techniques will be the same.
The following photography techniques are not a substitute for your own creativity, but when they are applied in
conjunction with what you might already have in mind, the results will usually be pretty good.
Try different viewpoints.
If you take a picture from a wide angle view, and then zoom out to a telephoto view, you will get two totally
different perspectives of the same scene or subject. The standard zoom of 3X to 4X in most compact digital
cameras will work well with changing the perspective. However if you are photographing subjects at a great
distance, a camera like the Canon Powershot SX40 HS with a 35X zoom will really increase your perspective
options.
Also, when composing a photo, try moving to different
positions. Sometimes just moving a little to the left or
right will give your picture a different look.
The composition of the picture of the statue head is pretty
plain and simple. However, taking a picture of the same
statue from the side and including less of the head, creates
a very different type picture.
The picture of the flower patch on the far left has
nice color and its an ok picture. However its a little
too busy with no particular focal point. By moving
in closer and concentrating on fewer of the
flowers, more attention can be drawn to the shape
and texture of the flowers.
The Rule of Thirds in Photography
The rule of thirds is a commonly used photography technique. When using the rule of thirds, picture a grid of
three horizontal and three vertical lines that divide the scene in your viewfinder or LCD screen into nine
squares ...continued below
The Rule of Thirds theory suggests that a skyline or tree line placed close to one of the horizontal lines will be
more interesting than if it was placed right in the middle of the scene. The same applies to vertical objects
being placed on or near one of the vertical lines rather than in the center of the picture. Please note that the
four points where the horizontal and vertical lines intersect are called points of interest. Placing objects on or
around the points of interest also make for a visually pleasing composition.
Although the Rule of Thirds works well in many situations, it is a rule that could and should be broken at times.
If you feel that placing your subject in the center or somewhere else in the frame would make a better picture,
then by all means do it.
Use lines, shapes, textures and patterns for interesting pictures.
Using lines in an image is a very effective photography technique because it has the effect of leading the
viewers eye through the image either to a certain point or to infinity. It works well when composing a photo
whether the lines are horizontal, vertical or curved. Subjects that have unusual textures and patterns are also
effective when used in photography composition. In part, that might be because in our busy everyday lives we
don't pay much attention to detail in things like the sand lines or the paint peeled gate post shown below. So
those type images can be very attention grabbing.
Look before you shoot
"Seeing" what you are photographing before taking the shot is another key to better composition in
photography. That means paying attention to everything visible in the viewfinder or LCD screen before you
press the shutter release button. Ask yourself: Is there anything distracting that is taking the focus away from
your main subject?. Many surprises can be avoided in your final image when composing a photo just by taking
a closer look.
Get Closer
Get closer if possible and fill the majority of the frame with your subject. Getting closer focuses more attention
on your subject. It also helps to eliminate unwanted or distracting items in the scene from your picture.
For instance, in the horizontal picture
of the gentleman to the near right, the sky
kind of dominates the picture. Thats ok
if the subject of the picture is the huge
clouds at sunset.
However, if the subject of the picture is
the gentleman, then the picture on the
far right is much more effective.
So it is clear see that by moving in or zooming in closer, the gentleman has
become the main focus of the picture instead of the sky. Also notice that by
holding the camera in the vertical position, it is easer to fill the frame with
the subject.
Use a frame
Using doorways, trees, and windows to make a frame or partial frame around your subject is another widely
used photography technique. This is a pleasing effect and helps draw the viewers eye to a particular area in
your image.
Leave room for movement
If there is movement or something in your photo that draws the viewers eyes to a particular direction, make
sure to leave room in the frame for that motion to continue. For instance, the jogger on the left doesn't appear
to have much room to continue. There is more space in the picture on the right so you don't get that same
feeling that the jogger has no space to continue.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there is no set way a picture should be composed. Check the
article "Its OK to Break the Rules" for a different outlook on picture composition However if you use some of
the information in this tutorial as a starting point, your creative juices will take you the rest of the way.
Now that you understand some of the basics of photo composition, check the Camera Exposure Basics tutorial
for tips on setting your camera for the best exposures.
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