Digital Photography/Editing

Rule of Thirds: –The rule of thirds is by far the best known composition rule. If you divide the photo into thirds, place objects where the thirds cross. Align horizons and edges to join the third lines.

Digital Photography/Editing To raise the quality of your photos you must make sure that the main subject is of heightened interest and is effectively positioned in the frame to draw the viewer’s eye exactly to where you want it, and emphasize that subject. Size, colour, shape and how the object contrasts with the rest of the elements in the image (foreground, middle ground and background) are ways to isolate and direct attention to the subject. Focus the viewers’ attention

Digital Photography/Editing Disappearing Lines into Corners: –If there are strong lines in the scene, try to get them to disappear into the corner. If the lines break into the centre or the edge, it tends to divide the photo, but disappearing into a corner seems to make composition stronger.

Digital Photography/Editing Use "S" Curves –Apparently, the eye enjoys following "S" curves. This rules seems to apply mostly to water, roads and the silhouettes of people. It doesn't strictly need to be an "S" either - reverse it or even just a strong zig-zag can be enough.

Digital Photography/Editing Monotonous Content: –Some images would make excellent jigsaw puzzles - they contain many examples of the same object but with deep detail allows the brain to dwell on and discover arbitrary parts of the photo.

Digital Photography/Editing Movement into the majority of the Frame If you have motion, try to place the object that is moving into the larger part of the frame (more space in front of the vehicle than behind).

Digital Photography/Editing Using Layers of {Textures | Lighting} –One of the easiest ways to recover three dimensions from a two dimensional rendering is to use layers of lighting or textures. The eye can easily trace outlines and assign a depth sorting priority to the various pieces in the frame.

Digital Photography/Editing Contrast - in lighting - is another way to add dimension to an image. Contrast is the difference between the lightest light and the darkest dark in a photograph. Manipulating this element works wonders to extend the depth, the three- dimensional quality of a photograph The man in silhouette appears to be nearly as tall as the Eiffel Tower, and the complex pattern of the Eiffel Tower (more pronounced in silhouette) seems to be etched into the red sunset sky. Imagine how lacklustre this image would be if it was taken at noon.

Digital Photography/Editing Using Silhouettes –Another aid to the eye seems to be the use of silhouettes. Silhouettes allow you to form a stronger sense of scene depth because colour becomes a function of depth. –Dark Silhouettes at dusk are the easiest form of silhouette to try.

Digital Photography/Editing Using Reflections –Again, our brain seems clever at resolving a three dimensional scene with the aid of reflections.

Digital Photography/Editing Using Depth of field to Guide the Viewer (Foreground Background Composition) –Sometimes a complex scene can be softened if the shallow depth of field (ie f4) is used.