What is Photo Composition

Learn the basics of Photo Composition

 Most beginners like me do not have any idea about photo composition. If I think that the picture would look nice then I would just take a shot and that's it. Whatever perspective, pattern or placement of the subject sometimes you just think that this picture would just look nice. Take for example the photo below. When I took a picture of that photo I just think that it would be nice if the houses are there with the Taal Volcano in the background. I do not have any idea about the rules of composition for any photos because I haven't read anything about photography composition. I actually did apply the rule of thirds in the photo without knowing it.

Technically speaking, before a picture is taken, the photographer usually scans the scene and takes a shot of something interesting. Well, there are really no rules in photography composition but most photographers follow certain rules in order to capture the best image possible for their photos.

The rules of composition can be grouped into two main sets. First set is to help the photographer in the arrangement of the subjects or objects to achieve the most pleasant or intriguing way possible in the photograph. Second set is to provide depth and perspective in the photograph

Set I. Subject or Objects arrangement

In this set, the subject in the image is placed on a strategic area to capture the viewer's attention in the photograph. This is done depending on how the photographer imagines the scene.

a. RULE OF THIRDS
If you are new to photography then this might be the first time that you would hear about the rule of thirds. Based on the name of the rule, the photograph is basically divided in to thirds.

The photograph is divided into equal divisions using 2 imaginary horizontal and two imaginary vertical lines. The grid intersections would be the basis for the optimal points to position the main object or subject to help balance the scene.

For landscape photos, it would be very interesting to apply the rule of thirds. Take for example the Landscape picture. The scene is divided into thirds. First part is where the sky is meeting with the mountains, second part is where the mountain meets the lake and last horizontal part is the lake. The photo is composed in a very organized way and the viewer is immediately drawn at the landscape horizon.



b. GOLDEN SECTION RULE
Another rule for this set is what photographer's call the golden section rule. The same as the rule of thirds an imaginary grid of 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines are put in the photograph however, it is unequally placed. The large start of the lines marks the "golden" section where the object/subject is placed. This provides a sense of equilibrium in the image.

Take for example the photograph above, (Courtesy of Japs Rodiguez) the subject is placed on the intersection of the 2 grid lines and the viewer is focused on themain subject which lies on one of the four lines or four intersections (subject's eye for example).

Set II. Perspective and Depth

In this set of rules, the image depends on the pattern, the lines and the angle of the shot to create perspective and depth on the image. There are two different rules that you can follow to give perspective and depth these are what the photographers call the lead-in lines and foreground interest.

a. Lead-in Lines
These are lines in an image that would help direct a viewer to a point in the scene. Photographers can play around with different line patterns to engage the interest of the viewers. There are a lot of patterns to played with but I narrowed it down into four types, the vertical lines, the horizontal lines and the diagonal lines.

Vertical lines in an image would make the viewer scan the scene from top to bottom. These lines give a sense of energy and suspense in a photo. The particular subject in this photo is the Philippine flag. The viewer is able to have a perspective on how the flags are lined up based on the vertical lines of the poles. The angle of the photograph gives the viewer an idea that the photographer was looking up at the flags sideways.

Horizontal lines on the other hand, give the image a sense of serenity and relaxation. Common examples of images that have horizontal lines are landscapes

 

The main subject in the photograph is the boat, the boat is aligned horizontally with the beach and the mountain giving it a tranquil appearance.

  

Diagonal lines
This lines give more energy compared to the horizontal lines. It provides a dynamic scene by cutting diagonally across the photograph. The diagonal lines works in such a way that the important elements in the image is placed along the lines.

 

 Converging Lines
The converging lines produce an emphasized point of perspective in an image. The viewer is drawn the point of convergence

The viewers are drawn to the center of the photograph because of the converging line. Hence, the subject in the image becomes more interesting.

 

  

 b. Foreground interest

Being able to provide an interesting element in your photo is very important to capture the viewers. By putting a foreground in an image, this would give balance in the composition to neutralize the strong element in a particular background. The viewers are given awareness on how far distant or up-close the size of the object of interest is. In the picture above the foreground interest is the person looking at something in the image. The viewer would have to imagine what he is looking at, hence, making an intriguing photo image.