Composition
Composition is often what separates a great photo from an OK photo. Correct exposure and other elements also contribute, but if the composition is poor, or the subjects and objects are not placed correctly within the frame then the photo fails. Therefore, learning to compose and plan your photos is as critical as knowing how to control exposure. There are so-called ‘rules’ for composition, these I perceive as guidelines, and they can help to achieve great-looking photos.
Composition is essentially the arrangement of elements within the frame, and how you wish to portray them with your chosen perspective. In a way, It is really an art form of sorts, the same principles are used in art so learning what works and doesn’t work is all part of improving your composition.
Let’s take a look at some examples.
Rule of Thirds
The most common and well-known rule is the Rule of Thirds. This splits the frame into 9 equal rectangles and the goal is to strategically place one or several subjects in positions where the lines intersect. By applying this rule, you are forced to stop placing subject(s) in the center of the frame, and this makes you place the subjects(s) off-center which in my personal experience leads to a more interesting and visually pleasing image. Most cameras will actually have an overlay that you can activate in your settings. If activated, you will see the overlay in your viewfinder or LCD view, which is extremely useful.
Centered and Symmetry
The previous rule forces you to stray from the middle of the frame whereas this rule forces you to use the middle with a specific goal to create symmetry with elements in your composition.
Symmetry composition is to have one or more of the same thing aligned in such a way whilst delivering an aesthetically pleasing balance throughout the image. Some images almost appear like a mirror effect when looking through the middle of the frame due to both halves being identical. Examples of this can be a typical long view from one end of a pier to the other, Stairs and bridges can have the same effect, and reflections of an element in a lake create a mirror copy in calm waters. Symmetry is very common in architectural photography but can be applied to almost anything with practice.
Leading Lines
Leading lines are elements that lead your eyes through the photo to a specific subject. It can be seen as a looser rule of Centred and Symmetry because they can share similarities in visual aspects. By this I mean there can be symmetry caused by leading lines such as photographing a road centrally with the painted lines going off into the distance which leads to a mountain. Leading lines aren’t limited to roads, anything can be used that leads your eyes through the journey of an image. Common leading lines are Roads, Dirt tracks, Field paths, Tyre tracks, Fences, Walls, Lamp Posts, Rivers, Train Tracks, Hallways, Lights on the ceiling, Dunes, Cliffs, Sun Rays through parting clouds, and anything else you can visualise or find.
Patterns, Shapes, and Textures
Our brains constantly look for patterns to help us to learn, predict and make decisions, therefore seeing patterns and textures should be second nature to us as photographers. That said, it is sometimes difficult to notice patterns that are large and are in places you don’t normally look. I personally find I have to specifically focus on looking for shapes to be able to see them, whereas with patterns these tend to appear much more easily. The shapes can take many forms with structures, or walkways, sometimes creating triangles when perceived from a specific focal point. Photographing these in interesting ways can create beautiful compositions especially with a good subject(s). Examples can be flooring with unique patterns, buildings with unusual shapes and patterns, unique shaped bridges where triangles are formed at a point, or several points that work especially well with a moon or Sunrise/Sunset. Textures can be observed particularly at markets that sell lots of different coloured fabrics such as mats and scarfs, also texture on close-up photography of leaves, skin, and cloth are especially good.
Simplicity and Minimalism
These types of composition are generally of a specific subject with nothing else of worth or importance within the image. The aim is to remove any form of complexity and try to portray your image with as little as possible. A fine example could be a Landscape photo of a solitary tree that is in the middle of a large field with nothing else in view apart from a beautiful sky. One of my favorites is to photograph a small sphere of water on a blade of grass just after a rainfall, the image is minimalised, simple, peaceful, and interesting.
Fill the Frame
Filling the frame helps to really bring out the detail of a subject and remove any distractions from an image. Also, it helps to create a greater connection between the subject and viewer. Such photos can be of an Elephant's head showing the details of the skin, with the Elephant’s eye creating a connection with the viewer. Portrait photographers use the rule ‘fill the frame’ often with model’s faces, and combined with low f/stop to blur the background it makes the model’s face really pop in the image. When taking photos of a wide area, or something far away it’s worth contemplating whether the subject would benefit by using the filling the frame instead of using a wide-area view with other distractions.
Rule of Space
This rule is simple and highly effective when applied. Focus on your subject(s), such as a person or an animal, and then move the composition of the frame so that space is positioned the way the subject is facing. When the viewer looks at the photo they will notice the subject is looking in the direction of the space and the viewer’s eye will naturally move to observe the space. Even if there is nothing of great interest in the space it keeps the viewer in the photo longer than if the subject was looking into the edge of the frame. Do not photo subjects looking into the edge of the frame, it doesn’t work and looks strange.
Next we will check some of the other camera settings that should be considered once you start to get a hang of the fundamentals, press next below when ready.