Posts Tagged ‘learn digital photography’

Photography is all about composition. If you can’t compose an image you can’t take photos. That’s the bottom line. This is where your photography journey starts as a beginner. Learning to place the elements in the photo is natural for some but for the rest of us we have to learn.

So what is composition? The dictionary definition defines it as  “the act of combining parts or elements to form a whole”. What you are looking to do in composing an image is to take the important parts of the scene and combine them in such a way, so as to create a photo very pleasing to the eye. This is all well and good, but, how can we do this most effectively? Here are ten top tips.

1. Clearly identify your subject.

This is the non-negotiable of photography. Unless your subject is the focal point of the image you don’t have a photo. When looking at the image a person should be able to clearly identify the subject. So make sure you give enough attention to the object of your focus.

2. Fill your frame

One of the most common mistakes made by budding photographers is that they do not fill the frame with their subject or the major elements of the image. Get in closer and exclude the parts that you don’t want. Open space serves no purpose when the subject is too small or cannot be identified.

3. Don’t amputate

This means that you shouldn’t cut off part of your subject unless it is intentional to create an effect. Missing parts of people or objects irritate the viewer and create an incomplete image. It distracts the eye. So watch the edges of your image.

4. Horizontal vs vertical

Camera manufacturers are to blame for this dilemma because all cameras are designed to be held in a horizontal format. It shouldn’t be an ‘either or’ situation but rather a ‘both and’. Try to shoot 50% of the time in both formats. There is no rule which is best and the key is to experiment.

5. Dramatic angles

Shoot from high up or low down. Use your feet and move around the subject looking for an optimum angle. Don’t be afraid to get down on your stomach or climb a tree. Look for different and dramatic angles that will make your images more striking.

6. The rule of thirds

Imagine a tic tac toe grid or noughts and crosses lines running across your image dividing it into thirds horizontally and vertically. Where the lines cross or intersect are the best placement points for your subjects or objects. Never place the horizon of a landscape image in the centre of your image. Always place it on a horizontal two thirds line. Subjects like lighthouses would be placed along one of the vertical two thirds lines.

7. Look for frames

These come in two types, natural or man-made. Natural would be an opening in trees or a rock formation with a hole in it. Man-made frames are doorways, windows or arches. All of these help contain the subject or scene in a form that is very pleasing to the eye.

8. Simplify

Trying to include too much in an image often spoils it. An image that is cluttered causes the eye of the viewer to dart around the image trying to make sense of it. Less is more as the old adage goes. Eliminate anything that would distract the eye or is unnecessary to the memory you are attempting to create.

9. Watch your background

Make sure that there is nothing there that would detract from your subject. Things like chimneys growing out of heads and other subjects diverting the eye from the main subject. You want balance by not going in too close but including enough of the environment of the subject or object to contextualise it.

10. Lines, patterns and shapes

Look for interesting patterns, lines and shapes. Lines lead the eye to focal points. A river, road, fence or path in a classic ‘s’ shape draws the eye along the route into your image. Strong verticals give height to your image and diagonals add depth. Turn your viewfinder allowing straight lines to travel from corner to corner in the image.

Key to great composing is thought. Think before your press the shutter button and consider all of these points. Create a mental check list to help you add these elements and create that great composition.

Tags: Adorama, aperture, camera, Canon, cash from your camera, digital photography, exposure, ISO, learn digital photography, Mark, Nikon, perfect photos, photography, shutter, snapfactory, triangle, Wallace

You probably have heard that composition is what makes great photos. And, if you learn how to compose then you will produce fantastic shots. Knowing where to place your subject and the various elements in a photo is what makes a great image. But applying this in practise is what takes time and effort and a little help.

Once you know the basic principles it is remarkably easy to create a great composition resulting in a beautiful photo. But, putting all these principles together in one photo can be difficult and daunting. If you follow these five basic guidelines you will see an immediate improvement in your images. Here’s how easy it is.

1. Place your subject

It’s logical, when you think of it, that the placement of your subject is what photography is all about. Where the object stands or lies is important and knowing where to put it is fundamental to good photography. Where do you put it? 99% of the time the centre of an image is not the best place for your subject. Imagine a grid across your image dividing it into thirds. Two lines horizontally and two vertically. Where the lines intersect is where you place your subject. Try different compositions by varying the placement of your subject on any of these points. Like the tic tac toe or noughts and crosses grid we all played as kids. With horizons, choose either the top horizontal line or bottom one. Never place an horizon in the middle of an image. This will bring you photo to life and give it balance.

2. Declutter you scene

Go look at your photo albums and see how many of your images have things in them that you don’t really want there. Like garbage cans at a tourist scene, a tree growing out of a friend’s head or a rusty coke can in a nature scene. You can correct these defects with computer software afterwards, but, ideally this should happen in the viewfinder. Take careful note of what is at the edges of your scene. Either zoom in, walk in closer or change your angle to exclude the unwanted elements.

3. Change your point of view

Don’t go for a traditional viewpoint when shooting any scene or subject. Look for a different angle or vantage point. Climb some steps or get down low even if it means lying on your stomach or back. The important thing is to shoot from an angle that is different to the usual. Get your camera lens level with the eyes of a subject. This is especially so with kids. You can even turn your camera 45 degrees to the subject. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

4. Watch your backgrounds

This is so important. Your background can be the sky or natural vegetation or even the colourful side of a building. Whatever it is, it should allow your subject to stand out and not blend in. Contrast is important so don’t shoot someone dressed in shades of green to stand in front of green vegetation. Your background needs to be uncomplicated and should never compete for attention with your subject. It should allow the eye to be drawn to the subject which is the most important part of the image.

5. Change your format

You won’t believe how much of a difference this can make to an image. We traditionally take most of our images in the way the camera was designed, horizontally. By turning your camera 90 degrees can often take an ordinary scene and turn it into a stunning photo. The vertical format, also known as portrait, is underutilised and many great photos can be created just by changing the format.

Composition is so important when putting your eye to the viewfinder. It takes all the best elements of the scene and combines them into an image that is remarkable and memorable and very pleasing to the eye. Take time to ponder and consider your scene before pressing the shutter button. A little bit of thought when composing an image can often be the difference a good photo and a great photo.

Learning is a continual journey so take each of these steps and include them in your photographic journey to fantastic photographs.

Tags: Adorama, aperture, camera, Canon, cash from your camera, digital photography, exposure, ISO, learn digital photography, Mark, Nikon, perfect photos, photography, shutter, snapfactory, triangle, Wallace