Composition tips?

[Steve Burke]

Whilst I understand a bit about the technical side of photography my artistic talent is very close to zero! Looking at the standard of photos that have been posted on this board already has been really inspiring. In fact some of them are truly awesome!

 

How about some of you telling us what makes a good photograph from the point of view of composition? What should we be looking for? What are the dos and donts? What makes a picture pleasing to the eye/

[Steve Randles]

There is the rule of thirds, that says to divide your scene into three horizontally and vertically and place your subjects on those lines, for example a landscape with horizon. place the horizon either one or two thrids down from the top of the picture, but only two thirds if the sky has some interesting clouds in it.

 

Try not to put your subject directly in the centre of the picture, everyone does that so its a "normal" shot, as such, works well sometimes but not always. Focus on your subject by pressing halway on your shutter button (on most cams) then re-compose your scene moving left or right so subject is off centre.

 

Try to use the contours or lines within the scene to lead you in to the shot, or to a focal point within the scene. Always have a focal point, a pattern a texture or a subject within the scene. Dont make the scene too busy, clouding out your subject. For example dont photograph a pretty Church from accros the road and also capture the cars, road, traffic signs and pedestrians, cross the road to eliminate the business. With digital photos are free till we print them so try different angles, perspectives and even exposures.

 

I'll add some more when I think about them.

[poledark]

Try also to get something in the pic which gives perspective...in landscape have the edge of a tree or bush to one side in the forground.

 

http://www.poledark.co.uk/View.jpg

 

I would have liked the horse (just below centre and right) to have been quite a bit closer.

 

I actually tried to "copy" one of Constables paintings with this shot.

 

 

Den

Edited January 3, 2006 by poledark

[Steve Burke]

Thanks, guys.

 

Anyone else?

[MrWiggly]

Don't forget the light !!

 

Most good photographs are shot either early in the morning, or late in the evening. There is a simple reason for this .. The sun is low and you get shadows ... and different colours !!

 

Even indoor shots can be greatly improved if you get a "feel" for the light. An old photographer friend of mine used to specialise in church interiors, and would never travel anywhere without a bag of chalk dust. Once he had lined up his shot he would spray some of the dust around, which would instantly exaggerate the sunbeams coming through the windows. An old trick .. that certainly works !!!

 

Don't forget the light !!