Composition

Every time you click the shutter and expose a piece of film you will have made a series of decisions resulting in a composition of an image. Sometimes we get another boring snap shot and other times the image will stand out. By improving our composition you will increase the number that stand out.

Composition starts with the decision of what lens to use or the focal length of our zoom, either to shoot the image horizontally or vertically. This is the starting point of all images and also the start of thinking composition. For every scene or subject there is never only one way to compose it.

Most beginning photographers will see an image and take the first shot that is in the viewfinder. Experienced photographers will search out other possibilities trying different angles, focal lengths and trying different things (stoop down, stand back, move around). The trick is trying to see a scene or subject in more than one way than photographing the most striking one….or two.

The Simplest, easiest and some times the most over looked Compositional Rule or Guide line is the

The main elements of a composition are placed at points one-third of the way from the sides of the frame.

As you look through your viewfinder, imagine two vertical and two horizontal lines spaced evenly creating a grid of nine rectangular boxes. Try placing the main elements, such as the horizon in a landscape or the eyes in a portrait, on or near the points where the lines intersect. Avoid placing the main element right in the center of the frame - this can result in a very boring image.


Looking towards Waikiki and Diamond Head Oahu, Hawaii. By moving the Horizon down from center and keeping the rainbow centered this improves the image.	Looking towards Waikiki and Diamond Head Oahu, Hawaii. By moving the water down a little from center and keeping the rainbow centered and one sail boat on the left Vertical Line this helps the image stand on it's own mage.

From on top of the Pali Look on Oahu, Hawaii. By moving the Horizon down from center and positioning the mountain to the left on the Vertical line helps make this a stronger image.	From on top of the Diamond Head looking down on Waikiki and Honolulu, Hawaii. Again to show the billowing clouds the Horizon is moved down with the city on the right Vertical Line along with the largest cloud.

Have the main point of interest positioned away from the center of the frame and avoid elements that conflict with the main subject.


As he was warming up for the start of the parade I positioned myself to put the circle of the drum in the middle of the upper right intersection of the vertical and horizontal lines.	While walking through the parade setup area one of the Local High School Girls allowed me to photograph her. I placed her along the left vertical line with her face on the top horizontal line.

With a standing person the normal shot would be to center the person. By shifting her to the right along the vertical line you can almost see her moving.	The center attention of this image is the flowers in her hair. Composed on the right vertical line that intersects the top horizontal line.

I started to improve my images by taping to the back of my camera a little sticky that looked like a tic-tac-toe by the viewfinder. Each time I would bring the camera up to my eye I would see the sticky and it would force me to remember to compose. As you work through the options of your image the rule of thirds has traditionally been one of the cornerstone for a successful composition: