how do i improve my composition skill?

[baldadoedwin]

i just bought a camera and please comment on my photo on how can i improve my framing skill...

[dcclark]

Actually, I really like this composition. Placing the sun in the lower right corner leaves a lot of empty space above, which has pleasant subtle shadings in it. The composition is nearly abstract, it's so simple.

What I would not say is that you have framed anything -- there is nothing "framing" anything else in this photo. I'm curious what you were intending to do along those lines.

[baldadoedwin]

lines? i have been visiting this for a while since i just bought my cam and wanna learn, i have read that or rather suggested by rule of thirds not to put the subject on the center. so i decided to put it on the lower right..my problem, since i am new to photography is i dont have the ability to determine if i have taken the picture right(composition,exposure,etc) though i already have an idea about the basics... thats why i joined DPS for me to learn to criticize my own picture

[baldadoedwin]

i have seen your pictures they were all great...hope i can be as good as you

[kernix]

Well it looks like the camera chose some settings to overcome the brightness of the sun - I like the pic, though I wonder if it would look better with slightly more exposure - maybe, maybe not. I ND filter in the opposite position may have helped.

The 3 variables to exposure is ISO, shutter speed and aperture - once you set the ISO, then you are down to two - and shooting either for shutter speed (fast to freeze action, slow to blur it) or apeture (wide open for shallow DOF, stopped down for large DOF) the other variable gets set.

Right composition? That's a matter of opinion, and sometimes shooting at the wrong settings gets a better result.

Rule of thirds is a good rule, but like any rule you can break it with great results. The main thing is shoot alot anf critique the heck out of your pics. And when you don't quite get what you want, go back another day and change the settings. Do that a few times a week for a few months and you'll pick up a lot.

[wulf]

For a while, frame very loosely (wider focal length or step further back). That will give you more room to explore different options in post processing. Experiment with cropping to the format your camera takes (3:2 / 2:3 for most of them).

As you develop your ideas about what you want to include in the frame, you can begin trying to capture this directly in camera.

Wulf

[bhunter]

The best way to improve your composition skills is to just slow down in your everyday life and look. Look at the shapes of nature. Look for lines and repetition, any and all design elements.

Developing a keen eye will transfer right into photography. Good luck

[rpcrowe]

I am guessing but, you seem (as far as I can tell from one shot) to be a natural photographer.

We all have had an intensive photo education through pictures in magazines, books and newspapers and what we see on TV and in the movies.

The big difference between natural photographers and lesser picture snappers is that the natural ones have benefited (perhaps unconsciously) from the photography they have seen and the lesser picture snappers have looked at, but perhaps not really seen the images.

Both types of photographers can benefit from further photographic education and training. This doesn't necessarily mean formal schooling - the education/training can be from seminars, critiques, from books and from associating with other photographers on forums and in clubs and organizations. I love seminars and can usually glean something out of each seminar to improve my photography.

However, after the further education, the picture snapper will probably become an adequate photographer while the natural photographer may be come an outstanding photographic artist.

The advantage that the digital photographer of today has over the film photographer of the past is two-fold. After the initial equipment cost; shooting is free! The digital photographer doesn't need to keep computing the cost of film and processing as he or she shoots. Additionally, the digital photographer has access to a plethora of forums like this one which can improve his or her skills.

[kencaleno]

Most practical way to learn composition without quoting any rules-Is to ask yourself three Questions:

1. What is the main subject of my image?

- The most prominent object, theme or topic

2. How do I emphasise the main subject?

- Isolate the subject
- Use motion blur (slow shutter speed)
- Use fast shutter speed to freeze motion
- Use selective focusing
- Subject placement within frame
- Get close and fill frame with subject

3. What do I leave out of my image?

- All things that are irrelevant to the main subject


Regards, Ken

[baldadoedwin]

wow those were all great tips thnaks a lot...