Barry O Carroll has put together an excellent guideline for us photographers, in this article over at DIY Photography.
He is going through several composition “rules”, or perhaps a better word would be techniques. Yes, the rule of thirds is included in his original list, but it seems so common that we’ve decided to have a look at some of these other rules instead.
Start practicing with these tips in mind, and you’ll create captivating images. I know what I’m going to focus on when I take a photowalk with a friend today!
CENTRED COMPOSITION AND SYMMETRY
There are times when placing a subject in the centre of the frame works really well. Symmetrical scenes are perfect for a centred composition. They look really well in square frames too. Scenes containing reflections are also a great opportunity to use symmetry in your composition.
FRAME WITHIN THE FRAME
Including a ‘frame within the frame’ is another effective way of portraying depth in a scene. Look for elements such as windows, arches or overhanging branches to frame the scene with. The ‘frame’ does not necessarily have to surround the entire scene to be effective. Frames don’t have to be man made objects such as arches or windows.
LEADING LINES
Leading lines help lead the viewer through the image and focus attention on important elements. Anything from paths, walls or patterns can be used as leading lines. Leading lines do not necessarily have to be straight. In fact curved lines can be very attractive compositional features.
DIAGONALS AND TRIANGLES
It is often said that triangles and diagonals add ‘dynamic tension’ to a photo. My mother in law also does an excellent job of adding tension to any scene. What do we mean by ‘dynamic tension’ though? This can be a tricky one to explain and can seem a bit pretentious. Look at it this way, horizontal lines and vertical lines suggest stability. If you see a person standing on a level horizontal surface, he will appear to be pretty stable unless he’s stumbling out of a pub at 2am. Put this man on a sloping surface and he’ll seem less stable. This creates a certain level of tension visually. We are not so used to diagonals in our every day life. They subconsciously suggest instability. Incorporating triangles and diagonals into our photos can help create this sense of ‘dynamic tension’.
RULE OF ODDS
In the world of photography, there are certainly plenty of ‘odds’ but the ‘rule of odds’ is something different entirely. The rule suggests that an image is more visually appealing if there are an odd number of subjects. The theory proposes that an even number of elements in a scene is distracting as the viewer is not sure which one to focus his or her attention on. An odd number of elements is seen as more natural and easier on the eye. To be honest, I think there are plenty of cases where this is not the case but it is certainly applicable in certain situations. What if you have four children? How do you decide which one to leave out of the shot? Personally, I’d go by future earning potential.
SIMPLICITY AND MINIMALISM
Leaving negative space around the main subject can create a sense of simplicity and minimalism. Simplicity itself can be a powerful compositional tool. It is often said that ‘less is more’. Simplicity often means taking photos with uncomplicated backgrounds that don’t distract from the main subject. You can also create a simple composition by zooming in on part of your subject and focusing on a particular detail.
CHANGE YOUR POINT OF VIEW
Most photos are taken from eye level. In my case, that’s barely 5 feet! Getting high up or low down can be a way of creating a more interesting and original composition of a familiar subject. I’ve often seen wildlife photographers in particular lying in the mud on their bellies to get the perfect shot.
GOLDEN TRIANGLES
The golden triangles composition works in a very similar way to the rule of thirds. Instead of a grid of rectangles however, we divide the frame with a diagonal line going from one corner to another. We then add two more lines from the other corners to the diagonal line. The two smaller lines meet the big line at a right angle. This divides the frame into a series of triangles. This way of composing helps us introduce an element of the ‘dynamic tension’. As with the rule of thirds, we use the lines (of the triangles in this case) to help us position the various elements in the scene.
Read the full article over at DIY Photography.
Source: DIY Photography
