5 More Elements of Composition in Photography
Yesterday I shared 5 ingredients of composition that I consider when setting up a shot. Today I’d like to talk about 5 more.
Framing
Most of us use ‘frames’ to display our images when we hang them on walls for viewing - however ‘framing’ can be used within the composition of a shot to help you highlight your main point of interest in the image and and/or to put it in context to give the image ‘depth’.
Learn how to use framing as an element of composition.
Perspective
The perspective that a shot is taken from is another element that can have a big impact upon an image.
Shooting from up high and looking down on a subject or shooting from below looking up on the same subject drastically impact not only the ‘look’ of the image, emphasizing different points of interest, angles, textures, shapes etc - but it also impacts the ’story’ of an image.
Read more on photographing people from different angles.
Space
There can be a fine line between filling your frame with your subject (and creating a nice sense of intimacy and connection) and also giving your subject space to breath.
Either technique can be effective - so experiment with moving in close and personal and moving out to capture a subject in its context.
Sometimes it is what you leave out of an image that makes it special
Balance
The positioning with elements in a frame can leave an image feeling balanced or unbalanced.
Too many points of interest in one section of your image can leave it feeling too ‘heavy’ or complicated in that section of the shot and other parts feeling ‘empty’.
Read more about balance in photography.
Color
The colors in an image and how they are arranged can make or break a shot.
Bright colors can add vibrancy, energy and interest - however in the wrong position they can also distract viewers of an image away from focal points.
Colors also greatly impact ‘mood’. Blues and Greens can have a calming soothing impact, Reds and Yellows can convey vibrancy ad energy etc.
What have I missed?
Between yesterday’s post on composition elements in photography and today’s I’ve covered just 10 things that photographers consider when composing a photo. What would you add?
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I would say ‘Light’.. is one of the important elements in photography.
Thanks for the techniques and I would surely use them in my next shoots.
I recently tried some compositions in portrait with space around the subject. I have got some good comments on them but I’d love to know honest reactions.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ignoto_someoneski/2875637507/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ignoto_someoneski/2680731046/
:)
Light! I am forever working on ways to use or work around light. Lately, silhouettes have been my thing. There are some interesting experiments on my photo blog (shutterbugschink.wordpress.com).
Love these two articles. Makes me feel like at least I know SOMETHING about photography, even if it’s just the least little bit…
Hello
Thanks for the articles, lots to think about.
Well, I’m not sure I’ve got pithy words to summarise them, but here are a few things more things I try to think about:
1. Spacing/Separation
Giving a subject “room to breathe”, separating it from its background.
2. Removal of distractions
This is the ability to look round the frame and see if there is anything that will distract the eye from the subject: it might be a small bright spot, or a strongly coloured spot…
3. Perspective correction (for buildings/trees…)
I like my verticals to appear vertical in the photo, so I have to estimate where the edges of the final image will be by following the “verticals” up from the sides, and always taking a few extra shots at slightly wider angles.
4. Seeing triangles as well as lines
It’s not just lines - it’s the triangles they create which often do the “leading” the eye to the subject
5. Corners
Watching what “goes in” or “goes out” of the corners - should the “line” cut through the corner; should the “triangle” be balanced either side of the corner
I’m sure that there are lots more things, particularly with regard to composition of “people” photos - candids or posed.
Looking forward to seeing other comments.
Cheers, Reggie
yes color is a big one ;) winkx
Melissa Rodwell
Hi thanks for the two articles about composition. You might want to write about:
positive and negative space
size of subject in relation to the environment
Kind regards
Richard
Thank you for the tips. An expansion on
Reggie’s creative thoughts would be so helpful.
Thanks for this great overview of composition elements. I have been stuck focusing on the rule of thirds for months and I think this will help me get out of the rut. For instance I just took this photo of my dog from within a lavender bush that I love:
http://comfortabledog.com/index.php?showimage=68
The perspective shot is so cool
The right angle would make a good photo. Also the positioning of the subjects. We can use the Rule of Third in order to make the photo look more real. If we can create a 3D effect on our photo the would give more expression on the photo.
I have to say that the quality of the articles has been lowered. This is because that so many other people write articles for you and it is done in a disipated way. Maybe by doing this you have more visitors, so there are more money form advertise.
Action or movement can make for an interesting component.
I would add: ‘Visual anchor’ (i.e. tell a story/plot) and exposure (color saturation, sharpness, contrast)
Thank you for your emails,
Don