Learn Digital Photography – Composition Top Ten Tips

Photography is about composition. If you can not compose a picture, you can not take pictures. That's the bottom line. This is where your photography journey starts as a rookie. Learn to position elements in the picture is natural for some, but for the rest of us that we have to learn.

So what is the composition? The dictionary definition defines it as "the act of combining parts or elements to form a whole ". What you want to do in composing a picture is to take the important parts of the scene and combine them in such a way as to create an image a delight to the eye. This is all well and good but what can we do it most effectively? Here are ten top tips.

Clearly identify your first issue.

This is not negotiable by photography. Unless your subject is the focal point of the image you do not have a photo. Looking at the picture a person must be able to clearly identify the topic. So be sure to give enough attention to the object of your focus.

2nd Fill your frame

One of the most common errors from budding photographers is that they do not fill the frame with their subject or the main elements of the image. Getting closer and exclude the parts you do not want. Open space serves no purpose when the topic is too small or not to be identified.

3rd Do not amputate

This means that you should not cut off a portion of your subject, unless it is intentional to create an effect. Missing parts of people or objects annoy viewers and create an incomplete picture. It distracts the eye. Then see the edge of your image.

4th Horizontal vs. vertical

Camera manufacturers are to blame for this dilemma because All cameras are designed to take place in a horizontal format. It should not be an 'either or' situation, but rather a 'both and'. Try to shoot 50% of the time in both formats. There is no rule that is best and the key is to experiment.

5th Dramatic angles

Record from high above or far below. Use your feet and move around the subject looking for an optimum angle. Do not be afraid to get down on your stomach or climb a tree. Go for different and dramatic angle that will make your pictures more striking.

6th Rule of Thirds

Imagine a tic tac toe grid or noughts and crosses lines that run across your image to divide it into thirds horizontally and vertically. If the lines cross or intersect is the best placement of your subjects or objects. Never place the horizon in a landscape image in the middle of your picture. Always placed on a horizontal two-thirds line. Topics such as lighthouses would be located along one of the vertical two-thirds lines.

7th Look for pictures

These come in two types, natural or manmade. Natural would be an opening in the trees or a rock formation with a hole in it. Man-made frames are doors, windows or arches. All these help with the subject or scene in a form which is very pleasant to the eye.

8th Simplify

Trying to incorporate too much of an image often destroys it. A picture is messy cause eye viewer to dart around the picture trying to make sense of it. Less is more like the old adage goes. Eliminate anything that might distract the eye or is unnecessary for the memory you are trying to create.

9th Watch your background

Make sure there is nothing there, which would detract from your subject. Things like chimneys rising out of the head and other issues distract the eye from the main subject. You want balance by not going in too close, but also enough of the environment of the subject or object to contextualize it.

10th Lines, patterns and shapes

Look for interesting patterns lines and shapes. Lines lead the eye to focal points. A river, road, fence or path in a classic 's' shape draws the eye along the route in your image. Strong verticals give height to your image and diagonals add depth. Make your viewfinder gives straight lines to travel from one corner to the picture.

The key to great compose meant. Think before you press the shutter button, and consider all these points. Create a mental checklist to help you add these elements and create this great composition.

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