Composition
The Bare Basics of Composition
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This is the basic text from a handout I use for classes.A few pleasing pictures happen by accident. Most great pictures are created.
The best pictures are the result of a conscious effort to create a pleasing composition. Light and camera techniques also affect picture quality.)
This page outlines the main concepts of composition.
Occasionally the photographer does not have the time to be creative and must take a picture without thinking. (Never miss an opportunity!) Fortunately, most "uncomposed" photographs can be enhanced by trimming (cropping) and enlarging portions of the original image. With time and practice, composition will become "more natural," however some careful consideration will always be needed.
Most pictures that we find pleasing to look at, and emphasize the primary subject, usually have or conform to:
For any one picture you will not use all of the concepts and sometimes you will ignore all of these ideas. However, for many subjects two or three of these concepts will play an important role in helping you create pleasing images.
- The KISS Principle: Keep It Simple Silly
- The Law of Thirds
- The Use of Strong Lines
- The Balancing the Componants of the Image
- Use of Foreground Objects or Contrast to Frame Primary Subjects
- . . . but They Avoid Mergers and Clutter
Keep it Simple
The trivial "KISS Principle" holds true for photography: Keep It Simple Silly. When composing a picture try and keep a few points in mind.
Avoid mergers and clutter
- Identify one main subject, one center of interest or one theme.
- Ask yourself: Is the reason I am taking this image obvious?
- Your subject can get lost in a busy or cluttered background and foreground. Carefully look in front and behind your subject for clutter and distractions.
- Change your position and move in close if it helps.
- It follows that if a picture is to be simple, it should avoid. . .
The key points covered on this page suggest what we should do, but we want to avoid mergers and clutter.Lines
- Background objects can merge with the primary foreground subject. (For example, a power pole can "grow" out of your uncle's head.)
- Strong colors or similar colors of objects behind or near the main subject can merge with the subject. (A white hat might merge with a light background and all but disappear.
- The primary subject can merge with the image border. (Border merger.)
- Mergers are often removed by simply moving the camera or subject.
We unintentionally take images with mergers because our minds do not see mergers. We are too focused on the primary subject. Take time to look beyond and around the main subject.
Use strong lines to your advantage if they are "available."
Rule of Thirds
- Repetitive lines can be used to "frame" a subject or simply add "strength" to a picture.
- Perspective "lines" create "depth" in an image.
- Perspective lines can be used to lead the eye to the main subject or can be used to "frame" the primary subject.
- When subjects are primarily lines (eg. stairs) the lines themselves actually become the image.
- Diagonal, and curved or "S" lines are appealing.
Most photographs will be more pleasing when the primary subject is placed somewhere other than in horizontal or vertical Centre of the picture. (The main exceptions are in close-up photography.) The Rule of Thirds helps explain why some pictures are more pleasing to the human eye. Whereas it is useful when composing pictures, it is just a guideline not a rigid rule.
Balance
- Try to visualize your images as if they are divided into thirds, both vertically and horizontally. Place the main subject near one of the vertical or horizontal "thirds" lines versus in the middle.
- Vertical subjects can be placed about one-third from either the right and left edge, and horizontal subjects can be placed about one-third from the top or bottom of the picture.
- The points of intersection of these imaginary lines can be pleasing locations to place the primary object of an image. (A face for example.)
- The Rule of Thirds also helps us with placement of horizons. Normally horizon lines appear more pleasing if they are placed either in the top third or bottom third, versus straight through the middle of the image.
Balance is a more difficult concept to grasp. We usually think of balance as "equal sides." But shapes, light, colors and areas of light and dark can be balanced in a complimentary way. A picture can be symmetrically balanced ("even" on the left and right side), but more often we find pleasing pictures to be asymmetrically balanced.
Framing
- Light can be balanced against dark.
- Large can be balanced against small.
- Open space can be balanced on one side with the primary subject on the other side.
- If photographing several subjects (for example flowers), photograph an uneven number if they are about the same size. An uneven number is easier to balance than an even number. Select three or five flowers, versus two or four.
We frame paintings and pictures when we hang them on a wall. The purpose is to contain the image and draw attention to it. We can frame subjects in our photographs.Take the time to compose your pictures. People will start complimenting you on your pictures. More importantly, you will be pleased.
- Foreground objects or contrast can be used to frame the subject and draw attention to it.
- Foreground objects can add depth to a scenic image.
