Lesson {TWO}

Today we are continuing to discuss basic photo composition.  You already know how to use the rule of thirds to draw your audience in and create an interesting focal point, now let's add some additional concepts to make your photographs more interesting!  This week we will focus on photographing objects.

There is no absolute right way when it comes to photo composition, but we all know that some pictures are more visually pleasing than others. Most of the time it is not by accident that some pictures just seem to stand out more than others.

Use lines, shapes, textures and patterns for interesting pictures.

Using lines in an image is a very effective photography technique because it has the effect of leading the viewers eye through the image either to a certain point or to infinity. It works well when composing a photo whether the lines are horizontal, vertical or curved.

Subjects that have unusual textures and patterns are also effective when used to compose pictures. That might be in part due to the fact that in our busy everyday lives we don't pay much attention to detail in things like the sand lines or paint peeled gate post shown below. As you can see, those type images can easily grab the viewers attention.

 

 



Look before you shoot.

"Seeing" what you are photographing before taking the shot is another key to better composition in photography. That means paying attention to everything visible in the viewfinder or LCD screen before you press the shutter release button. Ask yourself: Is there anything distracting that is taking the focus away from your main subject?. Many surprises can be avoided in your final image when composing a photo just by taking a closer look.  The easiest way to ruin a great photograph is to shoot a well composed photo, and not notice the trees, light poles, or other objects sprouting out of someone's head.

Get Closer

Get closer if possible and fill the majority of the frame with your subject. Getting closer focuses more attention on your subject. It also helps to eliminate unwanted or distracting items in the scene from your picture.

For instance, in the horizontal picture of the gentleman below, the sky kind of dominates the picture. That's ok if the subject of the picture is the huge clouds at sunset.

However, if the subject of the picture is the gentleman, then the picture below is much more effective.

So it is clear see that by moving in or zooming in closer, the gentleman has become the main focus of the picture instead of the sky.  Also notice that by holding the camera in the vertical position, it is easer to fill the frame with the subject.
 

Use a frame

Using doorways, trees, and windows to make a frame or partial frame around your subject is another widely used photography technique. This is a pleasing effect and helps draw the viewers eye to a particular area in your image.
 
 This weeks assignment: {Photograph an object, using one or more of the above concepts}

Happy Shooting!

-Mrs. Reeves