As the photographer, the final image’s composition is entirely within your control. Beyond selecting your camera, adjusting camera settings, and determining when to capture the shot, you have the authority to choose the focal point for your lens. Once you’ve made the decision on which camera to incorporate into your toolkit — whether it’s the DSLR optimized for low-light conditions, or a mobile phone, or a compact camera — there are numerous approaches to enhance your photography. However, the key to transforming an ordinary snapshot into a captivating work of art lies in thoughtful composition. In this section, we will explain to you different composition techniques.
These are not the rules, we expect you to think beyond these composition techniques though, these are the examples that are often used and widely accepted norms in photography. Therefore, to guide you through the process, we have explained below with the examples from the images taken during the training course activity by the participants and from the pictures that we have taken as consortium members’ staff.
Framing
Be mindful of framing. The presence of distracting elements in the background can swiftly diminish the quality of a photograph. Avoid becoming overly fixated on the main subject to the extent that you overlook the surrounding environment. Be vigilant for potential distractions like poles, trees, and power lines. Take a comprehensive look at the entire frame, questioning whether it aligns with your intended vision.
Simplification
Achieving a clear and robust composition is most effortlessly attained by embracing simplicity. Rather than cluttering the frame with numerous elements, emphasize a single subject. Employ techniques such as a narrow depth of field or the removal of distracting elements that could detract attention from the primary focus. The quicker your audience can identify the focal point of your image, the more they can dedicate time to admiring and interpreting the underlying message. In the example right, the only object clear is the flower and depth of field is used to put the primary focus on the subject as flower.
Rule of Thirds
Familiarize yourself with the Rule of Thirds, recognizing the natural focal point of the human eye, known as the “visual centre.” Envision the viewfinder being divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically, forming a grid with four points where the lines intersect. To enhance the overall impact, position the subject at the intersections of these lines, rather than placing it in the centre of the frame.
Foreground and Background
Every photo has a foreground and a background. how you want people to look at your picture tells you what to do with the foreground and background. If you would like to put the focus on the object but blur the background, zoom in close and choose large aperture setting ( like 1.4 ). It is useful while making portrait pictures or making a picture of a person alike in the picture in the right side.
Line of Sight
Changing the line of sight helps you to create more creative photography. It can be kneeling, putting the camera on the ground or climbing a flight of stairs so you’re higher than the subject you’re photographing. Digital cameras with twist and tilt LCD screens made this easier or you can simply use the timer function of your camera after planning your scene. Changing angles provides a new way of seeing things and makes for a more dramatic picture. For example, the picture in the left side has been taken by kneeling in front of a boiling pot to grab the steam while the women mixing the pot on the fire.
Lead the Eyes
Guide the viewer’s gaze by actively searching for visual elements within the photograph that naturally lead the eyes along a compelling journey. This could involve incorporating features such as a long road, meandering path, a succession of telephone poles, or even a neatly arranged line of chairs adorning a beach scene. By strategically incorporating these elements, you not only enhance the visual appeal of the photo but also create a narrative or visual pathway that engages the viewer, inviting them to explore and experience the image in a more dynamic and captivating manner.
Find Patterns
Stay vigilant for the emergence of captivating patterns in your surroundings. Engaging photographs can be crafted by capturing the undulating waves and intricate patterns formed by drifting snow. Alternatively, the synchronized flight of a flock of birds or the neatly arranged stacks of pipes at a construction site presents another opportunity for visually compelling imagery. Take inspiration from the harmonious alignment of taps in a mosque, as illustrated on the right side of the picture, creating an aesthetic rhythm that guides the viewer’s gaze along the established pattern, capturing their attention and sparking visual interest.
Get in Close
Embarking on a photographic journey, consider the transformative power of getting up close and personal with your subjects. By narrowing the distance between the lens and your focal point, you open the door to a realm of intricate details waiting to be unveiled. Seek out the rich tapestry of textures, whether nestled in the natural contours of a weathered face or etched into the rugged bark of a majestic tree. It’s in these subtleties that the true essence of your subject comes to life. Shift your focus to the minutiae, as the details often hold narratives of their own, waiting to be discovered and appreciated. In the world of photography, paying meticulous attention to these nuances elevates your craft, capturing not just images but the essence and stories embedded within them.
Cropping
Cropping brings a photo to life. if you edit photos on the computer, you are no longer limited to the standard 4 x 6, 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 print sizes. Look at each photo and think about what you really want people to see. then crop everything else away. It can help you to try some unusual shapes, like panoramas or narrow verticals. Panoramas, with their sweeping vistas, can transport viewers into expansive landscapes, offering a sense of grandeur and scale. Conversely, narrow verticals can draw attention to specific details, guiding the viewer’s gaze with precision. In example, above picture is a compilation of 15 different photos taken, cropped, put together and created as a panorama.
Break the Rules
The concept of composition might initially appear overwhelming due to the numerous “rules” associated with it, but fret not! These principles aren’t rigid mandates; they lack an immutable quality, and nearly each one can be bent or broken with valid justification.
Nevertheless, certain do’s and don’ts contribute to effective composition. When unsure about the optimal arrangement for enhancing a picture, adhering to the aforementioned principles often proves fool proof. As in any artistic endeavour, mastery of these “rules” is essential before skilfully deviating from them.
Now, let’s delve into the seven elements of photography, pivotal in visual arts for enriching compositions:
1. Line: Establishing a sense of flow using both explicit and implied leading lines.
2. Colour: Employing a palette of colours or their absence to evoke impact and mood.
3. Shape: Accentuating objects in a two-dimensional manner, such as silhouette utilization.
4. Form: Infusing depth into an image by implying dimensionality through interplay of light and shadow.
5. Texture: Conveying the tactile feel of a surface through adept manipulation of shadow and light.
6. Tone: Indicating an overall emotional tone through variations in brightness or darkness.
7. Space: Intentionally filling or leaving empty areas within the frame to amplify visual impact.
You don’t have to follow any of the rules above to make a good photo, but for sure, they will help you to develop your own style and understanding of photography. In this section, we try to cover the rules of photography and how to use the photo camera during the photo voice activities. We tell you to practice and practice to develop your skills, to understand your camera and its behaviour to you and to the light.
