Your photos will never be better than your ability to “see” or to use your photographers eye to recognize the opportunities for powerful photos in the world around you, and then to compose those photos most effectively in the viewfinder before you click the shutter. In this lesson we are going to concentrate on techniques that enable you to compose your photos in the most effective and powerful fashion.
Learning to See
“Seeing” to photographers means more than just perceiving things with their eyes. It is a creative way of looking at the world as well as recognizing things that have potential for being the subject of a good photograph. You need to notice more than just the objects and people you are looking at.
Relax your mind, look at the objects in front of you. Notice, really notice their shapes, lines, colors. Be aware of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines that define the objects. Observe the light that falls on the things you are looking at. What direction it’s coming from, how the different surfaces reflect the light, does it cause shadows that are soft or sharp.
Turn your attention to the texture of various objects. Are they smooth, bumpy, rough, glossy, or dull? Look at the colors and notice how not all shades of reds, blues, yellows, greens, etc. are the same.
Take a walk outside and carefully observe parts of a scene. As you look, be especially aware of light. Notice its direction and the shadows it casts. Notice its color and how it becomes warmer late in the day as well as the early morning. You will find that light is the one of the most important factors in creating an effective photo.
You will start to discover there is a photographic subject to be found in most anything. Simple things can make beautiful photographs, but your mind has to be alert to the possibilities.
Repeat these exercises several times a week and your visual sensitivity is sure to develop and mature With your increased awareness, not only will your images improve, but you will also increase your appreciation and enjoyment of the world around you.
Composition
Once you have found a potential subject, move yourself around (up, down, right, left, back, forth) until you can frame the elements in an attractive and meaningful arrangement. That is what composition is; the arrangements of elements within the frame. The goal of composition is to guide the viewer’s eye to the important subject.. A good composition keeps the viewers eye active, never bored, but never lets the eye wander out of the frame. Additionally, the composition should support the idea you had in mind when you decided to take the photograph.
Focusing Attention on the Main Subject
There are many techniques you can use to draw the viewers attention to the main subject and emphasize it. You can do it by the way you place that subject within the borders of the photo, by the way you relate other objects in the photo to it, by the way you focus on it, by the way light falls upon it, and other simple techniques.
Emphasis through Placement
It has been said that the major difference between the real world and a photo of the real world is the four borders that limit the photo. The photo captures only a segment of the world
The first and most important decision you must make is where to place the main subject. While “bulls-eye” or dead center placement does emphasize the subject, it tends to be static because the viewers eye locates it quickly and tends to stay locked there resulting in a boring photo. But placing the subject off center usually makes a more powerful and pleasing photo.
An almost never fail guideline to the placement of a subject is known as “the rule of thirds”. To follow this rule you would mentally divide the scene into a grid similar to a “tic-tac-toe” grid. Then compose so the main part of the subject is at or very close to one of the points of intersection of these lines. Or if you have a horizontal subject, place it on or close to one of the horizontal lines, or place a vertical subject on a vertical line. Whenever you have doubts about subject placement always remember the “rule of thirds’.
Balance
Balance is something you must be concerned with when placing a subject off center. If all the elements that attract the eye are on one side the photo may seem lopsided. The photo may need something of less importance on the other side to balance it.
There are two types of balance
Symmetrical (also called formal balance): places the subject in the center with all the other elements arranged evenly around it.
Asymmetrical (also called informal balance): distributes the elements in a less rigid manner. Rule of thirds is based on Asymmetrical balance.
Balance implies equal weight among the elements in the frame, but here we are talking about “visual weight”. Large objects seem to weigh more than small, and dark more than light. A heavy “weight” on one side can be balanced by a lighter weight on the other if the lighter object is at a greater distance from the center of the frame. Think of a see-saw.
Emphasis Through Relative Size
The most obvious way to emphasize your subject is by being sure it appears larger than the objects around it. It should dominate the image. Get in close, or use a longer focal length lens to make your subject compellingly large.
Emphasis Through Framing
When the subject does not dominate because of its relative size, one way to focus attention on it is by framing it with another object. Doorways, arches, fence posts, branches of a tree…you can find creative framing everywhere. To be effective, a frame should surround the subject on two or more side. A few leaves poking down from the top of a photo do not work as a frame, but the leaves surrounding the subject on three sides really emphasize it. Generally the out of focus blur sometimes works very well, especially when it surrounds the subject.
Emphasis Through Lighting and Contrast
The viewers eye is almost irresistibly drawn to the brightest area of a photo. By making sure the subject of the photo is lighter or brighter, you can draw the viewers attention to it. But on the other hand, a very dark subject amidst lighter surroundings will also call attention to itself. Contrast, therefore, is another way you can emphasize your subject.
Be sure that there are no unwanted areas of high contrast in the photo, as they will compete with the subject and distract the viewers eye. Be aware of everything in the frame.
Emphasis by Leading Lines
Lines in a photo can direct the viewer’s attention and lead the eye to the center of interest. These lines are referred to as “Leading Lines”. A road, a fence, stairs, buildings, etc. all can act as leading lines. Look for them and try to use them whenever possible.
Emphasis by Focus
The viewers eye is always drawn to the area of sharpest focus. This is why you should always focus carefully on your subject If you focus on your subject and use a large aperture you can throw everything around it out of focus turning your background into a soft blur of color. Selective focus is a powerful composition tool.
Emphasis by Color
Some colors seem to kind of leap out of the photo, while others remain quietly in the background. When composing your photos, warm colors such as red, yellow, and orange will help emphasize your subject. Or a background of cool colors such as blue, green, or violet will help to emphasize your subject as well.
Emphasis by Repetition
A subject that repeats itself will is a subject that is well emphasized. Not only does repetition make the subject clear, but it also creates a visually interesting photo. The effect of repetition can be created by including a row of similar looking objects (think fence posts leading off into the distance). It can also be achieved through the use of reflections, in a mirror, or water.
Emphasis Through Motion
A moving subject is one that will immediately catch the viewer’s eye. As you know, a slow shutter speed can be used to create a slight blur that gives your subject the feel of movement. Or the panning technique to keep your subject relatively clear while creating a blur in the background.
In summary:
To emphasize the main subject in a photo, as you look through the viewfinder ask yourself in what way would you like to emphasize your subject…
- Placing it off center?
- Making it larger?
- Framing it?
- Using contrast?
- Using warm colors?
- Using selective lighting?
- Using selective focus?
- Using leading lines?
You aren't limited to using just one of these at a time, use as many as you find necessary to draw the viewers eye exactly where you want it!!
Common Compositional Faults and How to Avoid Them
Photo Cropped to Close or Loose
One of your major decisions as a photographer is deciding what to include in your photo, and what to leave out. All the elements in the photo should have a reason for being there. I f they don’t add meaning, or are distracting change your position or focal length to crop them out.
But don’t crop so closely that you crowd the subject. When the subject is touching or almost touching the border it is uncomfortable for the viewer, leave space for there eye to move around.
Be especially careful not to crop off the tips of things…a finger, hand…foot. (One trick I learned early on was not to cut off limbs at the joint, such as the hand at the wrist, or the foot at the ankle, the leg at the knee, etc.) If you’re going to crop, do it significantly so it doesn’t look like a mistake.
Sometimes you may not be able to crop out distracting elements, you take your photo anyways and plan to crop the print afterward.
Watch the Background
Always be alert to distracting areas of light that are not part of your subject. Things like spots of light bursting through leaves, or trees, telephone poles and the likes that can appear to be growing right out of someone's head. Be careful to look for these things when composing your shot.
Watch as well for similar colors between your subject and the background as they can appear to “merge”. This is especially important for a black and white photo where objects of different colors may actually produce a similar tone of gray.
In silhouettes, you want to be sure each subject is distinct and doesn’t blend with something in front of or behind it.
As you consider taking a photo, apply the kind of “seeing” we’ve just discussed. How can you best show your subject to your viewers? What is the best camera angle? Consider the lighting.
Once you get ready to take the photo, there are some specifics to bear in mind. Always carefully observe the background and foreground. Make a conscious decision either to center the subject, or use the rule of thirds and place your subject off center. Make sure your subject is clearly in focus….
Make these things routine every time you take photos.
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