After you're comfortable using your camera, the easiest way to create great pictures that
everyone will admire is with good composition.
The dictionary defines composition as the formation of a whole especially by putting different
things together - or the ordering or arranging of something into proper proportion or relation.
Well, that's what we you want to do, order and arrange the elements of your pictures into proper
proportion or relationship. You put the pieces of a memorable picture together. One that always
reminds you of why you brought the camera to your eye in the first place. You will create pictures
that will be memorable for years to come.
Here are the three top tips for placing a subject, or objects, in the viewfinder of the camera so
that it comes out just right.
Tip #1 ... "The Rule of Thirds"
Just imagine that your viewfinder is divided by two evenly spaced horizontal lines and two evenly
spaced vertical lines - very much like a Tic-Tac-Toe (or Noughts and Crosses) board. These lines,
and where they intersect, are great places for important elements of your picture.
You can see where the rule of thirds has been applied in this photo. The important element of the
photo is on one of the lines or intersections, and you can easily move your camera and yourself
around until you have a perfectly composed picture.
There are also other areas where the rule of thirds can help make our pictures more interesting and
appealing. In a picture where you have a horizon, or other horizontal line, you could place it in
the center of the picture. You then wind up with two very static, quiet compositions... The top one,
and the bottom one. This is not necessarily bad ... If this is the picture you want, restful,
undemanding, then that's OK. But, on the other hand, if you want a more dynamic picture ... remember
The Rule of Thirds.
Just place the horizon, the stage, the line, the place where the sand meets the sea, on either the
lower third or the upper third of your frame and shoot.
If the upper part of the frame seems to be boring then just let it occupy less of the picture.
If the lower part of the frame seems uninteresting, or you want to get as much of that beautiful
cloud formation as possible, then let the bottom part of the picture be as little as possible.
Tip #2 ... When your subject is not looking directly at the camera; frame your
picture with your subject looking into the picture, not out of the picture.
Where the subject is looking will also draw your viewer's attention, and you can bet they will
wonder what's going on out there, and why you didn't show it.
But, when you compose with your subject looking or moving into the frame, your picture will contain
the entire statement, and will not refer your viewers to something out of the frame.
Tip #3 ... The viewfinder is the place to compose you photos, not on your computer
later, so be aware of the picture when you are looking at through the camera. The more carefully you
compose your picture when you are looking through the viewfinder, the less work you will have to do
later to get just the picture you were looking for.
That's it, the top three photographic composition tips guaranteed to give you great photos that will
look great hanging on your wall, and you, your family, and your friends will enjoy viewing them for
years to come.
