Digital Photography
Camera & Composition Basics
Composing images for maximum impact
While visual storytelling
is mainly about content, it
is the composition of the
images that determines
how effectively the story
is told.
Photo composition is the
arrangement in the
camera viewfinder and in
the photo editing prior to
publication
Composing images for maximum impact
Effective photo
composition can be
achieved by applying one
or a combination of
techniques for arranging
the elements in the photo
The first step, however, is
to eliminate anything that
does not contribute to
content and telling of the
visual story.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — camera position
The most basic decision a photographer makes on
every image is camera position. Moving close to
the subject adds impact and detail.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — camera position
Moving away from the
subject can give a better
sense of location and
provide an opportunity to
add more information.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — camera format
Most digital cameras will provide the option of
either a horizontal or vertical view of a subject.
Make a conscious selection of format based on
the content of the image.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — camera format
Varied formats, when
applied effectively, also
provide editors with more
design options.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — camera angle
Making every image at
the photographer’s eye
level and straight on to
the subject is a formula
for boring photos that do
not take advantage of a
subject’s visual
possibilities.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — camera angle
Vary the camera angle
either high or low when it
is appropriate to the
subject and helps tell the
story in an interesting and
effective way.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — rule of thirds
The decision of where to place the
center of interest, the most
important storytelling element, is
critical.
The principle of rule of thirds
provides a quick formula for
effectively placing the center of
interest in the viewfinder.
Using rule of thirds, the subject is
placed at a point just outside the
center of the viewfinder for easy
location by the reader.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — achieving rule of thirds
To utilize the rule of thirds, it is
important to avoid centering the
center of interest. Centering
makes the image less interesting
and less dynamic.
Unfortunately, most cameras
require the placement of the center
of interest in the center of the
viewfinder for proper focusing and
metering.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — achieving rule of thirds
Achieving accurate metering and
focus without sacrificing the rule of
thirds requires four simple steps:
• Focus and meter
• Use the camera control that
locks those functions
• Compose the photo using rule of
thirds
• Make the exposure
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — subject contrast
Sometimes effective composition
can be achieved by simply
making sure that there is contrast
between the center of interest and
other elements in the photo.
This often requires the
photographer to adjust his
position to change the
background in the viewfinder. It
may also mean waiting until the
subject moves to a better position.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — framing
When the center of interest is
framed by objects in the
foreground or background, it
becomes the focus of reader
attention regardless of its size
or position in the photo.
Frames should be natural and
subtle so that they do not draw
attention away from the main
subject.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — leading lines
Strong, natural lines in a
photo, like a pointing arm
or stair railing, can be
effective in leading the
reader directly to the
center of interest.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — aperture/depth
The arrangement of
elements in the
viewfinder can create an
effective illusion of depth
that adds visual interest
and a dynamic feel to the
photo.
The trick is to take
advantage of a
continuous element or
pattern that goes from
the foreground to the
background.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — aperture/depth
The arrangement of
elements in the
viewfinder can create an
effective illusion of depth
that adds visual interest
and a dynamic feel to the
photo.
The trick is to take
advantage of a
continuous element or
pattern that goes from
the foreground to the
background.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — shutter speed
This powerful composition
technique is often found in
photographing a variety of
subjects. Use one that is too
fast, and you may lose out
on light. Use one that is too
slow, and you get a blur.
Practice. Practice. Practice
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — repetition
When a scene naturally
has objects or people
that create a repeating
pattern, it attracts the
attention of the reader.
When the pattern is
broken by the center of
interest, it adds even
greater visual impact.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — geometric shapes
The triangle is another
powerful shape for photo
composition. Portrait
photographers have long
used the arrangement of
family groups to place
heads at different levels
to form a triangular
pattern.
Composing images for maximum impact
Composition technique — test your knowledge
Look carefully at this
image and see if you
can identify at least
four composition
techniques.