A well composed photograph is really a matter of opinion in most cases. But as in all things there are some cases where a few general guidelines can make for better photos. For all of these examples I am using a single photograph to illustrate.
Rule of thirds
This is the simplest of rule of composition. This is where you will take your image and divide it into 9 equal sections. The idea is to place your most important elements in any of those intersections. For my example photo there is two examples that I can point out – the one is where the horizon is placed on one of these intersections (towards the top), as well my main subjects he kids (towards the right). To further add to the rule of thirds is to make sure that your horizon is straight, although I am known for tilting my camera just a little bit. The viewers’ eyes tend to be drawn to these spots on the imaginary lines first.
In this photo I moved the camera so that my subjects were positioned in the right of my photo.
In this photo I tilted my camera so that my horizon is skew – this makes for a funky photo but not a ‘better’ looking photo.
Perspective
Photographing your subject can be very effective, but you can create visual impact by positioning yourself or the camera either to the left or the right or above or below your subject. You can kneel, lie down on the ground or stand on something to look down onto your subject. Only a slight positioning above or below your subject can improve your portrait photos dramatically.
In this photo I kneeled down onto the sand and was slightly lower than my subjects. Can you see how the photo looks different and even better than the others? I could have gotten even lower down onto my tummy (but that would have meant getting dirty – something you can’t worry about when you really want the perfect shot!)
Leading lines and verticals
We understand that with the rule of thirds the eye will automatically rest at one of the intersecting lines, but it is also possible to lead the viewers’ eyes towards something else. By choosing where to place lines and shapes in your photo you can control eye movement. Shape examples can include buildings, lines on roads, telephone poles, pathways, light poles etc. you want to place the lines so that your eye is drawn into the photo and not outwards. Vertical lines can have more impact than horizontal lines.
Notice how the buildings in the photo lead your eye from the left inwards towards my subject in the middle/ right of the photo.
Negative Space
Paying attention to positive and negative space in your photo will ensure a strong composition. The positive space in your photo is something like a car, people or a building. Everything else is negative space. Negative space can also help to lead your eye to the main subject.
The negative space on the left leads your eye towards my subjects on the right.
I hope the photography tips for scrappers helps you to compose and take better photos. Remember practice makes perfect. Snap on!
Did you miss Photography Tips for Scrappers (Part 1)?
As scrapbookers and memory keepers we take loads of photos each year – some of us each day for various reasons. And as Project Life becomes more and more popular we start taking even more photos. There’s nothing to taking a photo – aim and shoot. But then there’s taking better and even great photos…
Find these priceless tips here…
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