Question: Recompose and shoot

[jason.williams14]

As the subject states, I have read numerous times where people are looking through their viewfinder, get what they want, then "recompose" and shoot.

Quite simply, can someone tell me what that means? I have a general idea, but it would be great if someone could explain that to me.

Also, any examples someone can give me?

Thanks,

Jason

[OsmosisStudios]

This is primarily when cameras use either a centre-weighted meter and/or a single centre focus point. You focus/meter by pointing the camera at your subject (say, a model). What that means is that you have the model at the centre of the frame. You can then change the composition so that the model is no longer in the dead centre. You also keep the settings the same and you lock your focus. This way you get the lighting and focus on your model but theyre not in the middle of the frame.

[LeeR]

I thought it might be instructional to show you a bit of the thought process I go through when I shoot. I am not saying this is the right way or the best way, it's just the way I do it. Perhaps it will help you see what we mean by "recompose."

This first image was shot at a natural spring in North Florida. The rocks, limestone, have a vocanic feel and I want to contrast the hardness of the rocks against the delicacy of the flowers. I am also aware of the fact that the leaves are arranged in a way that reminds me a bit of a waterfall and I like that. I especially like the deep shadow behind the flowers which lends some drama to the image. Still, I think I can do better.



In this second shot I am hoping that the straight-on angle will give the flowers a bit more pizazz. It doesn't so I move on.



In shot three I try a new approach; horizontal. I am hoping that making the rocks a bigger part of the image will help. I also like the overall shape the rock is taking. The dappled light is really nice and this is getting close to what I was hoping for. Still, I am not quite satisfied.



I finally go back to my original idea of shooting from the side hoping that a steeper angle will help emphasize that waterfall effect I was hoping for. Of course, this also means I lose that deep shadow I liked so much in the first shot.



I am just not getting what I want. For one thing, there is a lot of trash in the scene. I could spend a few minutes picking out dead leaves and twigs, but I really like to shoot things as I find them as much as possible. Second, I just feel like I have exhausted the possibilities with this scene and decide to move on. I'll save these for a while; the day may come when I am working in PS and learn a new technique that will work perfect for these images.

So there you are, shoot, recompose and shoot again. I don't often draw a blank when shooting a scene like this. Most of the time I come with at least one image that I feel is exceptional, but it happens. It's just part of the game.

[jason.williams14]

Originally Posted by LeeR

I thought it might be instructional to show you a bit of the thought process I go through when I shoot. I am not saying this is the right way or the best way, it's just the way I do it. Perhaps it will help you see what we mean by "recompose."

This first image was shot at a natural spring in North Florida. The rocks, limestone, have a vocanic feel and I want to contrast the hardness of the rocks against the delicacy of the flowers. I am also aware of the fact that the leaves are arranged in a way that reminds me a bit of a waterfall and I like that. I especially like the deep shadow behind the flowers which lends some drama to the image. Still, I think I can do better.



In this second shot I am hoping that the straight-on angle will give the flowers a bit more pizazz. It doesn't so I move on.



In shot three I try a new approach; horizontal. I am hoping that making the rocks a bigger part of the image will help. I also like the overall shape the rock is taking. The dappled light is really nice and this is getting close to what I was hoping for. Still, I am not quite satisfied.



I finally go back to my original idea of shooting from the side hoping that a steeper angle will help emphasize that waterfall effect I was hoping for. Of course, this also means I lose that deep shadow I liked so much in the first shot.


I am just not getting what I want. For one thing, there is a lot of trash in the scene. I could spend a few minutes picking out dead leaves and twigs, but I really like to shoot things as I find them as much as possible. Second, I just feel like I have exhausted the possibilities with this scene and decide to move on. I'll save these for a while; the day may come when I am working in PS and learn a new technique that will work perfect for these images.

So there you are, shoot, recompose and shoot again. I don't often draw a blank when shooting a scene like this. Most of the time I come with at least one image that I feel is exceptional, but it happens. It's just part of the game.

Thanks LeeR. That was very helpful.

Looks like I need to go outside and do some more practicing.

I like to practice my technique because I really want to understand what I am doing and how things work. So when I see or hear something new, I want to understand it.

Many thanks to all the responses.


Jason

[Aleix]

Some more info on the topic:
Focus and recompose - Digital Photography Tips and Techniques

Regards and happy shooting

[ziplock122949]

The key to remember with focus and recompose is that your focal plane changes when you recompose. This is generally not much of an issue when you have a large DOF, but when you have a very shallow DOF, it can be very noticeable.