What is Composition? My definition: The purposeful arrangement of elements within a frame to create a visually appealing image. It can involve: Moving the objects or subjects themselves (a model or still life) Anticipation - setting up in a position where the subject will arrive (street or sports photography) Moving yourself (Landscapes or other instances where it is impossible to move the subject)

Perspective, Angle and Detail

Perspective This is really about changing the height of the camera relative to the subject. The mistake people make is they take their shots from a standing position. Getting down low or up high can change the composition dramatically and make for a much better shot.

Perspective This first shot is from a top down perspective from a standing position. The second shot had the camera in the grass from a prone position.

Angle As you may have guessed, changing the angle can also have dramatic effects on your overall composition. As with most rules of composition, the decision to change the angle of your camera should be purposeful. The most common method is known as the “Dutch Angle” and you simply rotate the camera on its horizontal axis.

Dutch Angle This is a good example of an effective use of the Dutch Angle. It leads the viewers eyes through the details on the car and because of the angle draws interest.

Detail The Devil is in the details, but so too is the photograph. Easily one of the biggest mistakes that amateurs make is they neglect the detail and shoot too far away. Detail lets the viewer's eye focus on what is important or what you want them to focus on. The key is to get in as close as possible or to put the detail in a position to let it do the work in the photograph.

The Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds This is perhaps the best known of the “rules” and for good reason. It can dramatically improve the composition of your image. This is a great composition rule to learn but it really is more of a guideline, than a rule. Here is how it works...

Rule of Thirds When you look through the viewfinder or LCD, divide the are into a Tic Tac Toe board. The rule simply states that where the lines intersect (the circles) is a great place to put your main subject

This is a great example of the rule of thirds. It adds depth and our eyes are naturally drawn to the main subject (the butterfly).

Lines, Texture and Shape, Oh My...

Lines, Texture and Shape These techniques are all used to create visual interest and draw the viewer's eye to your main subject or throughout the photo. The idea is to have them see what you want them to see. The other great aspect of these techniques is that it creates a sense of depth in a 2d image.

Lines There are a number of lines at play in this photograph. Your eye was likely drawn to the curved line of the bracket and then followed the rail into the photograph. Gives you the sense the fence goes on and on

Lines and Texture Again the lines lead your eye into the photo. Notice the texture of the rails, rocks and clouds and how they help to give depth to a 2D image.

Texture Helps to convey rough and smooth in an image that is 2D. Not only can this give you depth but it can convey emotion and feeling in a photograph. Sometimes, texture can be the main subject.

Texture Texture and B&W photos were made to go together. Texture is shown by light and shadows and the absence of color allows the viewer to focus on those details. Can you see both rough and smooth?

Shape or Geometry Everything we see is defined by shapes. The trick in photography is to make those shapes standout as pieces of visual interest. Think of the best portraits, they are really about shape and the manipulation of light to show off that shape.

Depth of Field and Negative Space

Depth of Field and Negative Space These two techniques are all about controlling the focal point in your photograph. Depth of Field, literally, controls the depth of what is in and what is out of focus. Negative space is concerned with controlling what surrounds your primary subject and ensuring that works with the subject and doesn’t distract from it.

Depth of Field and Negative Space Depth of Field is controlled by your camera’s aperture, your distance to your subject and the focal length of your lens. It comes in two varieties: Shallow Depth of Field Long Depth of Field

Negative Space Negative Space is the area around your main subject. When not taken into consideration the negative space competes with the positive space (your main subject) and distracts the viewer’s eye. This is one of the greatest issues that amateur photographers have. They know what their main subject is but they didn’t eliminate distractions. Negative space can also provide context and enhance your main subject.

Combined Here the negative space and depth of field work together to provide context but without being distracting.