leading lines
The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Composition
Do you have a desire to move on from taking snapshots? Just got a camera, or had one a while but don’t think you’re using it as wisely as you could? Let’s have a little look at composition then. There’s a few things to think about, or look for, when you’re taking a photograph which should help elevate your snapshots to an all new level.
Rule of Thirds
We’ll begin with the daddy of compositional rules: the rule of thirds.
Rule of Thirds: Imagine your photograph being split into 9 equal rectangles by two parallel horizontal lines, and two parallel vertical lines. Now, try to keep your major compositional elements either aligned to these lines, or – better still – positioned slap-bang at one of the intersection points.
In the example to the right you can see how the main compositional elements are confined to their own thirds – the sky takes up the top third, trees the middle third and the ground the bottom third – with the subject positioned on one of the two verticals. The fact that the trees in each vertical third seem to be different colours, heightens the overall composition.
You may even find that your viewfinder actually displays these lines for you – if not, after thinking about it for a while you’ll soon be naturally looking for the thirds in your shot.
As a guide if you have the horizon in shot, you should usually be looking to position it along one of the two horizontal lines (as in the example). Which one you chose depends on whether you want to show more of what’s above the horizon or more of what’s below it.
Recent photos
- don't you love me baby, don't you love me wooooo-o-o-o #photowired #notdead #maybe #just #sleeping
- follow us on twitter