CompositionGuidelines + Concept

ByAnup Ghimirepixeltut.com

Why do we shoot photos?

In most cases , we want to convey something we saw to someone.

What is the biggest frustration?

Just because something looks cool in real life , you

can’t always point a camera and get good picture.

Why?Photograph is bounded by a 2D frame and the viewer reads the elements , content with in the frame to understand and recognize what is that you are showing them.

AndThe success of doing that basically depends on how you choose to compose them.

So what is Composition?

Composition is the way you frame your scene.

Composition is arranging the tones , forms , elements in such a way that is pleasing to eyes

Composition is leading your viewer eyes directly to the subject.

Composition is taking away the distraction between the camera and the subject.

What is a bad Composition?

Eyes will wander around to figure out the subject

Viewer will be confused on what to look at.

No precise subject.

Distraction between subject and viewer

Not eyes pleasing.

Guidelines of Composition

Rule Of Third

Looking Space

Leading lines

Perspective/POV

Simplicity

Balance

Negative Space

* Rule Of Third

Placing your subject on the intersection of the line(green dots) will make your subject look more balanced and naturally our eyes tends to move towards these points first. Rule of third is one of the most basic compositional concept and probably widely used.

*Looking space

Looking Space is when you keep enough space on the side your subject is looking at.Looking Space helps to maintain the mystery that the subject is looking at.It can be best illustrated with visual examples.

*Leading lines

Leading lines are a guiding element of the photograph which guides the viewer eyeToward the subject , away from the subject. some times the lines and shape it create is subject. Lines creates interesting shapes in a photograph.

“Leading lines helps find the main subject and demonstrate direction of motion. Leading lines are connectors along which the eye travels effortlessly.

They provide direction connection and motion.”

Perspective/Point of View

When ever we go shooting 70-80% of our shots are normally of same height.

We point and shoot

Point of View is a critical compositional decision. It allows you to

Capture a boring mundane subject to something interesting.

Display an interesting composition that would that would otherwise be boring and

Influence your emotion.

How Perspective/Point of View influence your emotion?

1. High angle:

In High angle , camera is above the subject

2. Choosing the subject below the eye level

2.Low angle

In low angle camera is below the subject

In High angle character Look Weak ,submissive , Frightened.

In Low angle characters look dominant, aggressive, or ominous

SimplicitySimplicity is the hallmark of good composition.

Simplicity makes it more easy for the viewer on where there eyes should go.

Our eyes can easily avoid the distraction but camera captures it all

--First decide what is your subject, what are you really trying to capture

--Take a picture and observe it.

-- Deduct whatever taking the attention that the main subject deserve.

Working the shot

Getting closer is one way of simplifying since it crops out unnecessary elements

Once you get the impulse of an excellent shot you can get, move and keep taking dozens of picture. Read your pictures make necessary changes and keep working for the shot

BalanceEvery elements in a frame has a certain graphical compositional weight.

Be it a mountain , a person or anything that occupies a part of image.

If you consider you images to be a see saw , the elements on the left and right(top and bottom) side seek for the balance which is also called compositional balance.

“Balance is more about feeling , you have to feel for it. It will eventually comes when

you start to look for your subject to balance.”

Negative Space

Negative space is area surrounding the subject in a photograph and your main subject of focus is the positive space.

Negative space defines and emphasizes the main subject of a photo, drawing your eye to it. It provides "breathing room", giving your eyes somewhere to rest and preventing your image from appearing too cluttered with "stuff

“ The main concern of all the guidelines is make the picture feel good , eye pleasing and subject oriented. “