Photo Tips - Composition
Basic Rules of Composing Great Pictures?
Let me begin by saying that in photography rules are just good "suggestions". They can be broken intentially for good reason. However unless we know the rules we can't intelligently break them. The following are some of them.
The Rule of Thirds
This rule alone will change your photography for the better. Think of your view finder or LCD having a tic tac tow grid on it. Place your image on of the intersecting lines rather than in the middle. If your subject is moving, put it on an intersection furtherest from the direction it is going. This will avoid making it look like they are going to hit the side of the picture.
Candid Shots
Candid shots capture true emotions. Posed shots seldom ever do. Guess which ones others cherish?
Depth of Field
Maximize for scenery when you want foreground and background to be in focus. Limit for Portraits and macro (close up) and flower pictures. Remember the higher the F stop the more DOF and the Lower F stop less DOF. Don't forget that you must compensate for DOF with shutter speed. If you lower the F Stop to limit the DOF you must increase the time of your shutter speed. Most cameras have special settings for general use in some of these situations. These are not the best but will often suffice. Read your manual. More on this in another session!
Interesting Lines
Look for interesting lines. S Curves,, Z shapes and combinations, RR Tracks, Roads, Etc. On roads and tracks stand to the Right or Left take picture on an angle. Shoot from different angles. High and low, just over the top of fields of flowers. etc. Be creative!
Body Parts
Unless you are taking a portrait or head shot be careful about the arms, legs, hands and feet you may leave out. Unless you are taking a full length shot the waist is a good place to crop the image. Leaving out limbs distracts from the picture. Leave plenty of room above a person/persons heads to be able to frame the photograph.
Leave Room to Crop
Cropping often enhances an image. Cropping can take out something unwanted. It can place the subject in a more desireable position. Don't go overboard but leave room to crop your image in the best possible manner.
Flash
Use internal flash with care! Too close and you get a big light right in the middle of your image. Too far and you don't get enough light. Read and heed the instructions in your cameras manual. Better yet get an external flash with a flexible head. Learn to bounce flash off ceilings or walls to reflect light into the room. You will be amazed with the results.
Use flash outdoors in mixed shade and sunlight to reduce the contrast between light and dark.