As a photographer, you need to understand the language of composition. By choosing different photographic compositions and compositional elements, you can enhance a visual message for the viewer as well.
It is essential to understand the different rules of composition in order to photograph effectively. However, rather than being restricted by guidelines, you should examine the principles of composition and how you can use compositional techniques to create the image you desire.
Composition in photography can be defined as the arrangement of elements in a scene to make them visually pleasing to the viewer. Photographers can use these elements to convey their visual message in a harmonious, impactful, and meaningful manner.
Composition in photography involves a number of elements, such as lines, shapes, space, color, and compositional techniques such as the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, and the rule of space.
Composition guidelines in photography are generally derived from traditional art, specifically painting. In spite of this, it is important to keep in mind that rules in photography can be broken, and if you attempt to stray away from the popular “composition rules” in photography you can still create a compelling and impactful image.
Compositional Lines
Using compositional leading lines as a way to guide the viewer’s eye is one of the most powerful compositional techniques that can be used in order to emphasize the important elements in your frame.
In the majority of photography composition books, this is one of the best tips for composition that’s included; if you use compositional lines in your photograph, you will be able to lead your viewers on a visual journey through your image.
There are 7 types of lines in photography composition:
Horizontal lines are the most common type of line you’ll encounter in most genres of photography, including landscape photography.
Vertical lines go straight up and down. You’ll often find vertical lines in architectural photography, thanks to tall skyscrapers and standard buildings, both of which stretch directly upward.
Diagonal lines stretch diagonally across the composition. Diagonal lines are very popular in landscape photography, from rivers to fallen trees to waves spilling across a beach and more.
Converging lines stretch through the frame until they converge on a single point. Converging lines provide depth and movement because you have two or more lines pulling the viewer toward the point of convergence.
Curved lines tend to be more peaceful and harmonious because they’re slow and steady, and leisurely. Rivers often curve as they move off into the distance. Lakes curve when viewed from above. Curves also provide a lot of movement, because they take the viewer around the scene, getting them familiar with the entire composition.
Leading lines are a special type of line that landscape photographers love – they are generally diagonal or vertical lines that lead the eye into the frame, from the foreground to the middle ground to the background.
Implied lines are lines that aren’t really present, but are implied by the shape of various objects. For example, every constellation includes some implied lines; they’re not actually there, but you think about them nonetheless.
Balance
When it comes to photography composition, balance refers to how your photo elements are positioned in your frame. It also refers to how they relate to one another, keeping their visual weight in mind and maintaining equilibrium throughout the image.
There are certain visual elements that carry significantly more visual weight than others in a balanced composition. Therefore, it is paramount to strike a balance between the colors, shapes, space, and other compositional components that are covered later in this post.
Symmetry
The use of symmetry in your photographic compositions is one of the most effective ways of dispersing visual weight across the frame, similar to that of composing balanced images.
Photographing artificial materials like lakes, ponds, puddles, etc., which can produce reflections is the most obvious example of this composition. Searching for patterns is also a helpful technique for composing balanced images.
It is an easy compositional element for beginners, and it can be used in any genre of photography.
Framing
Despite the fact that it may seem redundant, one of the most effective framing tricks you can use in photography is to frame within a frame.
Whether it is natural or artificial, the goal is the same; to help improve the composition of the photograph by directing the viewer’s attention to the key components.
Scale
Using scale to compose images is an excellent way to catch the viewer’s attention. Scale is a compositional technique that deals with the proportions of elements and their relationship to each other, such as size, distance, etc.
The most effective composition tip is to use something familiar as a scale indicator, such as a person or animal placed against a vast landscape.
There are also other photography framing techniques, such as the rule of thirds, which allow us to place the focal point in any of the “compositional sweet spots”.
Depth
Creating depth in your image is an excellent compositional technique. If you compose a photograph with depth, it will appear more three-dimensional and more volumetric.
In order to create depth in composition, there are various compositional elements to consider. Utilizing them in your favor improves your composition skills. By avoiding composition errors like creating flat images, you can improve your composition skills.
Golden Triangle
The golden triangle has also become one of the most popular rules of composition in photography. For centuries, the golden triangle has been one of the most important aspects of photography and other visual arts.
According to the golden triangle principle, if a diagonal line is drawn from corner to corner, and two perpendicular lines are drawn from the other corners, then the frame is divided into four triangles, two of them of different sizes. Using this rule as a guide, we can use this division to place the subject in one of the triangles or to place our leading lines on one of the diagonal lines.
Taking a look at classic paintings is one of the key ways to gain a clear understanding of photography composition. A composition based on the golden triangle is an example that the old masters used in their work.
Curves
You can make your composition more interesting by adding curves to it. Curves create a more interesting “visual journey” for the viewer.
A curve adds depth to your image and can be used as a compositional line. It is simple and easy to use. As a result, it is another photography composition tip that is often recommended to beginners. In photography, there are many different types of compositional shapes, but one of the most powerful ones is the S shape.
In a photograph, there are endless possibilities, such as rivers, roads, buildings, etc. to include curves in composition, whether they be rivers, roads, buildings, etc.
Golden Ratio/Spiral
A classic rule of composition is the golden ratio or golden spiral, which can help you to improve your photography composition skills.
In photography, there is a rule of composition called the “golden ratio” which is the ratio of 1 to 1.618 and is represented by the Greek letter “phi” (Φ). The golden ratio proportion has been used since antiquity, and it is widely used not only in photography but also in architecture and design.
Utilizing this number, we can arrange the elements of our photography composition in an aesthetically pleasing way. You can easily do so by using the golden rectangle and golden spiral, two shapes that follow this compositional rule. Simply place the subject within the golden spiral’s curl.
Background
Putting the subject against a cluttered background is one of the most common composition mistakes. The viewer becomes distracted by the chaotic background, and the image becomes less visually appealing.
You can use this element of composition by situating your subject against a clear background. You can also use a narrower depth of field to emphasize the subject against the background. The result is a visually appealing portrait.
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Foreground
Including interesting foregrounds in your photography compositions is a good way to entice the viewer to explore your image further.
This doesn’t always work, but it can be effective in some types of compositions, like landscape photos. By adding a visually interesting foreground to an image, you can make it more engaging.
Conclusion
Photography composition is the single most important photography element beyond expensive camera gear or superb processing skills.
You can frame what you want to capture in a more harmonious way. This will enable you to create an image that appeals to the viewer by learning the basics of photography composition and its main compositional elements.