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So what's composition? The dictionary defines it as “the act of mixing parts or elements to form a whole”. What you need to do in composing a picture is to take the vital parts of the locationand mix them in such a way, in order to create a photograph very pleasing to the eye. That is all well and good, however, how can we do this most effectively? Here are ten top tips. 1. Clearly determine your subject. This is what the non-negotiable of taking photographs is all about. Composing an image. If you cannot compose an image you take . that’s the bottom line. this is where your photography journey starts as a newbie. Learning to place the elements in the picture is natural for some however, for the rest of us we've got to learn. Unless your subject is the focus of the picture you don’t have a photo. When looking at the image a person should be able to clearly identify the subject. So be sure to give enough attention to the object of your focus. 2. Fill your frame Probably the most widespread mistakes made by budding photographers is that they don't fill the frame with their subject or the key components of the image. Get in nearer and exclude the components that you don’t want. Open space serves no function 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 components of individuals or objects aggravatethe person viewing itand create an incomplete image. It distracts the eye. So watch the edges of your image. 4. Horizontal vs vertical Digicam producers are to blame for this dilemma because all cameras are intended 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 that is the best and the secret is to experiment. 5. Unique angles Shoot from high up or low down. Use your feet and move round the subject searching for the best perspective. Do not be afraid to get down on your stomach or climb a tree. Seek out completely different and different points of view that may make your photographs more attractive. 6. The rule of thirds Think of a tic tac toe grid or noughts and crosses lines running across your photograph separating it into thirds horizontally and vertically. Where the lines cross over or intersect are the most effective placement points for your subjects or objects. Don't place the horizon of a landscape picture in the middle of your frame. At all times position it on a horizontal thirds line. Subjects like lighthouses would be positioned along one of the vertical thirds lines. 7. Search for frames These come in two variations, natural or man-made. Natural can be a gap in foliage or a rock formation with a gap in it. Man-made frames are doorways, windows or arches. All of these help include a point of focus or setting in a form that is extremely pleasing to the eye. 8. Simplify Trying to incorporate too much in a picture typically spoils it. A picture that's messy causes the eye of the person viewing it to zip round the shot attempting to make meaning of it. Much less is more as the old adage goes. Remove everything that will distract the eye or is unnecessary to the memory you are attempting to create. 9. Watch your background Ensure that there's nothing there that would detract from your focal point. Objects like chimneys growing out of heads and other subjects diverting the eye from the primary subject. You want balance by not going in too close but incorporating enough of the environment of the subject or object to contextualise it. 10. Lines, patterns and shapes Find attention-grabbing patterns, lines and shapes. Lines direct the attention to focal points. A river, road, fence or path in a typical ‘s’ shape draws the eye down the path into your image. Strong verticals give height to your photograph and diagonals add depth. Turn your viewfinder enabling straight lines to travel from corner to corner in your picture. Vitalto excellent composing is thought. Think before you depress the shutter button and think about all of those points. Create a mental check list that will help you add these elements and create that outstanding composition.
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Wayne Turner studied with the New York Institute of Photography and has been teaching photography for 25 years. CLICK HERE to learn digital photography with him by subscribing to his FREE 10 PART PHOTOGRAPHY E-COURSE, emailed daily to your INBOX - To dramatically improve your photography here is his latest ebook, 21 STEPS TO PERFECT PHOTOS - CLICK HERE
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