Composition is about how and the way a viewer’s eye moves throughout the image. It is up to you to “control” what you want them to do when they see what you saw. You want to take them on a journey and make an impact as they view your image.
Straight Horizon Line
It’s important to have straight horizon lines because seeing the horizon in a straight line helps to make you feel calm and stable. Otherwise, you are left wondering why is the photograph crooked? If you don’t hold your camera straight in the field, you can fix this in post production. Please note: Sometimes in candid photographs of humans some may do a slight 35 degree angle in camera to add an edgy feel.
Rules of Thirds
The rule of thirds creates a more appealing image by placing an object or subject in a third of the frame. It’s easier to visualize the image cut into 9 equal parts and the intersections on the grid are called the intersecting points. In short, you will want to situate your main object on one of these intersecting points. When you have more than one object or subject, you can position it on another intersecting point of the grid or on the grid line.
Framing
Framing creates interest in the scene and draws attention to it. You can frame the object within the picture using natural or man-made objects, or shadows. Photographers usually will use items in the foreground to frame up an image within an image. Think of it as like the physical frame around a picture. It draws your attention to the imagery.
The little twig is framing up the flower well. You have some nice symmetry and reflection going on as well.
Leading Lines
Leading lines help to draw your attention to the main subject in the picture. These lines draw your eyes towards a specific part or point of interest in a photograph. You can use the lines from a building, tree, road, or other structures.
Depth of Field
Depth of Field helps to call attention towards the main subject of an image. It is the distance between the closest and furthest objects in the picture. The main subject will be in focus and the rest of the scene or objects will fall out of focus (shallow depth of field; bokeh). The most important part of the image should be in focus. In landscape photography we often use a deep depth of field (more in focus).
Notice how the tree is close to the subject and is mostly in focus and as the depth of field changes and gets further away the depth of field gets shallow (blurred out=bokeh). This keeps the focus on the subject.
Have you been wanting to learn more about photography? Reach out today and let’s see how I can get you out of automatic mode and create the images you want to create! Reach out at 321-765-WISE (9473) or kt@wiseimagesphotography.com