REVIEW
COMPOSITION TECHNIQUE
Composition refers to the way the various elements in a scene are arranged within the frame.
Let's take a look at the different rules we can follow to get a good composition.​
Rule of thirds
Divide the frame into 9 equal rectangles, 3 across and 3 down.
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Place the important element(s) of the scene along one or more of the lines or where the lines intersect.
Centred composition and simmetry
Placing a subject in the centre of the frame when symmetrical scenes.
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Foreground Interest and Depth
Get a sense of depth. Including an element that I was quite close. Adding foreground interest works particularly well with wide-angle lenses.
Frame within frame
It gives depth. Windows, arches, branches… Not necessarily surround the entire scene.
Leading lines
Leading lines help lead the viewer through the image and focus attention on important elements. Paths, walls or patterns
Diagonals and triangles
Add dinamic tension - diagonals suggest instability. Triangles can be actual triangle-shaped objects or implied triangles.
Patterns and textures
Pattern: A naturally-occurring or random arrangement of shapes, colours etc. which have a regular or decorative effect.
Suggest harmony, pleasing composition.
The rule of odds
Odds numbers (1,3,5,7,9...) instead of even numbers (0,2,4,6,8...)​
Fill the frame
Leaving little or no space around. It help focus on the main object. Using it you can crop out some parts of the object.
Leave negative space
Opposite of fill the frame. It creates a sense of simplicity and minimalism. Space to breath.
Simplicity and minimalism
Zooming in on part of your subject and focusing on a particular detail. Useful to use good macro lens. Examples like water droplets.
Isolate the subject
With wide aperture we blur the background. Useful for shooting portraits.
Change your point of view
No take photos from eye level. Get high up or low down. Ex. Wildlife photographers.
Look for a particular colour combinations
Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel are said to be ‘complimentary colors’Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel are said to be ‘complimentary colors’
1: Blue sky, orange building.
2: Blue sky, red lights.
Rule of space
The direction the subject(s) in your photo are facing or moving towards. There should be more space left in the frame in front of the car than behind it (1). It can also be used for pictures of people: subject should be looking or facing into the frame rather than out of it (2).
Left to right rule
We ‘read’ an image from left to right in the same way we would read text.
