By 2ndpic/Antti (649) 
on July 24, 2007 9:13:58 AM CDT
Introduction
Image Composition
Rule of Thirds
Lines
Framing
Simplicity
Depth of Field
Unusual Perspective
Filling the Frame
Giving Space to Subjects
Balance
Landscape or Portrait
Colors and Lighting
Short course about image composition in photography. Many ideas about composition expressed with few words and example photos.
If you want to know more please check my home page for more detailed articles about image composition:
www.secondpicture.com (image composition - photography - 3d graphics)
Introduction
Composition is one of the most important factors in a successful photo. A good composition can turn a boring subject into a compelling photograph and on the other hand a spectacular subject may look dull in a failed composition. Here is my short course about image composition in photography.
Image Composition
Rule of Thirds
Rule of thirds is one of the most famous rules of image composition. According to the rule of thirds, the frame is divided into three parts horizontally and vertically. The subject of the photo is placed into one of the intersections of the division lines like in the picture below.
Lines
Lines are found everywhere in the world. Lines in a photo can be for example roads, rivers, a shore line and a horizon. Lines can enhance composition and lead the eye through the picture. Different lines express different feelings. Horizontal lines are calm, vertical lines are strong and diagonal lines are dynamic. Diagonal lines are maybe the most interesting of straight lines. They create a sense of energy and motion into the photo. Other types of lines are for example leading lines which lead the eye into the subject of the photo.
Framing
The world is full of natural frames that can be used to guide viewers eye inside the photo like in the picture below.
Simplicity
The saying 'less is more' applies often in photography. Usually it is a good idea to get rid of elements and try to keep the composition simple.
Depth of Field
Depth of field is a powerful factor in image composition. A shallow depth of field can be used to separate the subject from its surroundings. A viewer usually first looks for sharp areas in the photo.
Unusual Perspective
People see the world from ordinary locations and angles. Show them something different by choosing peculiar shooting angles and locations.
Filling the Frame
Photographs are often taken from too far away. It's not always necessary to fit the entire subject inside the frame. Sometimes it's better to show just a part of it. A close up photo shows the viewer details that would be lost in a wider view.
Giving Space to Subjects
Give your subjects some space. It's usually a good idea to leave more space in front of the subject than behind it. It's often distracting if the subject looks like it's walking away from the photo. This applies also to stationary objects.
Balance
A sense of balance often enhances the composition. Balance can mean for example placing two equal subjects to different sides of the photo. Balance can also be created with symmetry.
Landscape or Portrait
Always think twice before shooting. Think whether the view looks better in portrait or ladscape format. Often the decision comes naturally from the shape of the view you want to capture.
Colors and Lighting
Colors and lighting are very powerful factors in a photograph. Strong colors always draw attention. Sometimes it's good just to look at colors instead of the subjects themselves. Lighting affects very much what kind of impact the photo will have. Side light is often a good choise because it brings out the form and texture of the objects. Hours close to sunset and sunrise provide often beautiful and interesting ligthing conditions for outdoor photography.
If you want to know more about image composition in photography please check my home page http://www.secondpicture.com/
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From zmilin/Zeljko (3,160)
on July 24, 2007 5:20:13 PM CDT
Good beginners course! My congrats... I find this very useful for newbies! My Regards.
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From farhad70s/Farhad (8,437)
on July 24, 2007 5:31:54 PM CDT
Very good essential rules to follow for most photographers.Thanks for sharing
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From mattsh/Matt (22,347)
on July 25, 2007 4:11:09 PM CDT
Excellent illustrations. One thing that might be nice is to provide some counter examples. Show a mundane landscape photo that pops when cropped as a portrait, a cluttered frame that works better as you crop into the subject and lose the background...
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From briccobono/Bill (9)
on August 2, 2007 8:04:30 PM CDT
The pictures were fine examples of your concepts.... simple and to the point. That said, I especially liked the text. Nice review of basic, key principles to taking a quality picture. Thanks for writing it! I enjoyed and benefited from reading it. Thanks. Bill
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From ns7dja/Dan (1,717)
on August 14, 2007 6:02:41 PM CDT
Thanks for this, the simplicity and good examples makes the points so well explained that they seem obvious afterwards- the essence of good teaching skills. I would also recommend Antti's website to anyone that enjoyed this.
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From pcp/Senthil (175)
on October 31, 2007 5:31:11 PM CDT
Very nice and interesting article which is more useful for amatures like me.
Thanks for sharing.
Senthil
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From qadirsh/Dr Qadir (1,247)
on November 14, 2007 1:08:47 AM CST
Hi Senthil,
Really a great article and great effort on the subject of photography. One learns a lot from it. A very good contribution. Just a little flaw that I see is this that all the images had been left aligned making the format of the article a little symmetical. It can be aligned left and right alternately to balance it. However it is a great effort with a very rich content in the field of photography specially for beginners. Senthil,we are proud of your being in out community. I thank you for sharing.
Qadir
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From sinding/Brian (99)
on November 17, 2007 9:22:23 AM CST
Very usefull course for a beginner like me. Gives something to think about before shooting.
Brian
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From bigotis/Eugene (14,340)
on November 20, 2007 10:01:33 PM CST
Antti, good food for thought for folks like myself. Thanks for tanking the time to do it.
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From hbug/H (2,186)
on November 26, 2007 7:33:14 PM CST
Thank you for this short course a lot of information in a little time I am a newcomer and I found this very useful. Again thank you much. Hbug
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From pfeaviour/Paul (5)
on February 2, 2008 9:34:31 AM CST
Thank you for sharing this - I find it useful to keep reading such articles to reinforce the basic principles that I 'think' I know but must admit I don't always apply. I think this is the case because many of my photos are of my children and composition is sometimes neglected in order to capture the moment...
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From ofiryaron/Ofir (162)
on September 22, 2009 7:46:34 AM CDT
Thank's for the article.
It's well writen and the examples really capture the idea.
I'm an amature in photography and it's been very helpful.
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From twined20/Syed (103)
on December 22, 2009 2:20:03 AM CST
Many Thanks,
I am new to photography and find composition a tricky subject, your quick guide really helped
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From twined20/Syed (103)
on December 22, 2009 2:20:18 AM CST
Many Thanks,
I am new to photography and find composition a tricky subject, your quick guide really helped
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