Composition, the act of composing the image in the viewfinder, is a visual process of organizing the elements and individual details of a scene into a balanced and pleasing arrangement. Because what one person finds pleasing, someone else will not, composition is largely a matter of personal taste. Consider the following images and captions as examples of pleasing composition.
A tightly-composed image with all elements in the right places, including Bugs Bunny's eyes on the boy's shirt. They seem to be warily checking out the sedated cougar.
The trees help to show the scale of the falls
The Rule of Thirds correctly placed the center of interest for this subject.
This image benefits from open space on the left and top.
A hollow log serves to frame the subject, whose face is dead center in the image, emphasizing its importance. Even the lines in the log point to the center of interest.
Curved lines pull the viewer into the image and show the racer's path.
Patterns and lines appear everywhere in nature. The photographer who knows how to use them to make better pictures will do just that - make better pictures.
Animals and people are generally not shown in a landscape
Use an overhanging branch in the foreground to frame your landscape.
Look for bright patches of color in a landscape scene. Photo courtesy of Karen Meeks.
This image is the result of shooting without flash in a relatively-dark arena
This picture was taken with flash, using a medium telephoto lens (105 mm)
Flash overexposed the foliage in the foreground, underexposed the background, but properly illuminated the subject - a wet 'vette that went off the road.
This image shows the stopping power of flash. These basketballs seem frozen in mid-air.
Professional baseball action calls for a telephoto lens, a fast shutter speed and a good shooting angle
A good shooting angle is needed to capture the key elements - intense batter, alert catcher, concentrating umpire & disinterested team members.
Posed pictures should show people at their best, looking relaxed and comfortable in their relationship.
Proper framing is important. The photographer should have aimed the camera slightly to the left.
The natural light of evening-time can provide a portrait with a mood of its own.
Sometimes a candid portrait is as revealing of character as one that is carefully posed.
Your subject doesn't have to be looking at the camera for a successful picture, but the image must convey a sense of character and show her at her best.
Some subjects have a natural knack for posing and expression, requiring little guidance. Others need the photographer's direction.
Black velvet fabric makes an excellent backdrop for an attractive close-up of a pretty teen-ager, whether indoors or outside. |
