COMPOSITION & PERSPECTIVE
We are used to seeing the world from one perspective, eye level. The easiest way to alter perspective is to change your position. Perspective in photography refers to the spatial relationship between subjects in the frame. The way you compose your image helps tell a story. Shoot from a higher or lower viewpoint, or move towards or away from your subject. This is good time to add a frame your subject matter with something in the foreground to give depth to the image. You can zoom in or out and adjust your position to enhance your primary subject matter. The relationship between objects and their placement in the image ties them together or creates separation. Your use of perspective can make an ordinary image a great shot.
Basic composition is based on the rule of thirds. Use the rule of thirds and stay away from centering your subject in the frame. Visual points of our image lies on one of the four lines of the rule. Placing our subject dead center is more like a snap shot than a composition. Here you get to be creative and use your compositional skills to draw the viewer to your subject. There are layers to your image, background, foreground and subject. Face your subject into the image and try some different angles.
If you are into sunsets use a wide angle and add a foreground object to frame the scene. Capturing atmospheric conditions like haze or fog will also offer a sense of layers and depth. Be aware of your horizon line and look for objects that create interest, like maybe a person. You want to offer your viewer an interesting way of enjoying your beautiful sunset photo.
You can shoot up at an object to make it appear taller and more impressive. Shooting up at an extreme angle, the objects at the top are smaller than those at the bottom like a pyramid. The same way an object or person closer to the camera will be larger than the background. Getting in close will accentuate the feeling of depth. This is more pronounced with a wide angle lens and will create interest. Have some fun and give it a try.
Watch for lines to help with your composition like converging lines, arcs and strong graphics. Horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines each speak differently in your image. Changing your perspective can also set an emotional tone for the image using lines. Try several shots from different perspectives and see what a difference it can make. Don’t shoot flat into your subjects or flat surfaces. Using lines in your composition can help draw attention to the subject. When shooting action you may want to back up or zoom out and create your composition later in cropping.
Nature offers us great composition. All around us, the shapes, textures and colors offer a world of opportunity. Composition lives within the four sides of your image. Like a living thing a good composition will keep your eyes moving around the image drawing you into the subject. Use light, shadow, color, texture, subject matter, placement and perspective to create your masterpiece. Whether you are on vacation or just in the yard, you can always find something to photograph. Practice makes you better.
When you go out to take a photograph, your eye picks a subject but your camera records everything in the frame. A messy background can ruin an image. Use depth of field, a different perspective, and get closer to your subject. You can crop your image in camera or later. You may choose to change the aspect ratio of the image. You can crop your image to any shape rectangle like a panorama.
If you are photographing people, face your subject into the image and try some different angles. Turn their shoulders to give them more shape, and adding props may help tell a story and give your subject something to interact with. Your background may be part of the story so position yourself wisely. Take more than one shot and give yourself a choice of expressions to choose from.
Color is another useful tool to consider. Different colors create different feelings about the image. Bright colors demand attention while subdued or monochromatic speak softly. Earthy tones are soft and relaxing, while bright colors are great when you feel like dancing. Look for monochromatic scenes of complementary colors like a sunset or early morning mist rising over a pond. Yup, there’s lots out there to shoot.
Well these are all good suggestions and you should try and remember them but, as you work on your skills, don’t be afraid to break any rule you want. Shoot a lot, try a lot, experiment and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Your mistakes will teach you more than your successes. Go out and be creative and have fun.