| Excellent composition is a key structure of good | | | | re-arranging their subjects. Most still life |
| imagery and when done well will add great value to | | | | photographers sell their images to the advertisement |
| your pictures. Regardless of which type of | | | | market where perfection is essential. Here is where |
| photography we participate in, the rules of | | | | attention to detail should be at the utmost. |
| composition remain the same. | | | | Landscape photographers can use several ways to |
| Good composition is required in all types of | | | | produce good images. Natural frames will work well in |
| photography - | | | | certain scenes, as does attractive foreground |
| Here are a few tips which you may find practical. | | | | interest. Leading with lines works well in certain |
| Lead with lines: To lead with lines into the main part | | | | circumstances. A popular way is to use the rule of |
| of the scene will draw the viewer into your image. | | | | thirds. |
| These lines don't have to be straight. Lines, such as | | | | Understanding the Rule of thirds: If you draw two |
| tracks, riverbanks or fences, may work successfully. | | | | vertical lines on your print and two horizontal lines |
| Foreground interest: Simple foreground objects can | | | | across your print, you should have nine rectangles of |
| give your landscape a greater sense of depth. Use a | | | | equal size. The four points where the vertical and |
| small aperture (f/22) to keep the entire scene in | | | | horizontal lines meet are the area where you place |
| focus. | | | | the focal point of your image. |
| Natural frames: Frame your scene with the elements | | | | Composition is also extremely important for portrait |
| all around you. This will help to focus attention on the | | | | photographers. If this is an area that you have |
| main part of the picture. Branches of trees make | | | | interest in, study portraits owned by family and |
| great natural frames for landscape and nature images. | | | | friends. This is a great way to see how the |
| Using windows as frames can also help. | | | | professionals use some of the above techniques. |
| Fill the frame: Used mainly in macro photography and | | | | Many portrait photographers use a dull background |
| portrait photography, filling the frame is another | | | | isolating the subject. |
| composition technique. | | | | Composition for architecture photography is tricky. |
| Isolate the subject: Using an aperture of f/5 or | | | | Outdoor urban scenes can be a nightmare to control |
| smaller will isolate your subject. With this technique | | | | and sometimes it is impossible to know what to |
| the subject should remain sharp with the background | | | | leave in or out of the image. It is also the same with |
| and foreground becoming blur. This is used creatively | | | | indoor architecture photography - many items in a |
| in sports, nature and wildlife photography to draw | | | | room may clutter your image. |
| attention to the subject. This can also be used for | | | | If you do come across a scene and you are unsure |
| outdoor portrait shots. | | | | about the composition take a few different shots - |
| Adding or removing objects from a scene can help | | | | don't miss out on the chance of getting a gripping |
| with composition. Still life photographers will always be | | | | image. |