Composition is, is easy to define conceptually with definitions like “the organization of objects in a frame” but is very subjective and difficult to evaluate. It has been found that composition has more effect on the viewer’s enjoyment of the photograph than the subject.
Tips for Shooting Without Composition Rules
Don’t just record what you see – change your point of view by moving in and out up and down and changing the point of focus, depth of field, and shutter speed.
Do photograph what you feel is right not what you think should be right. Give your creativity reign.
Do identify the subject or subjects that will direct focus to the photograph and look for how the viewer’s eye will move to and between them.
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Do look for one or some of
- patterns and textures
- symmetry/asymmetry
- depth of field
- frames, lines, and curves
- color, contrast, and shape
- negative space/filled space
- depth, foreground & background
that complement and emphasize your subject and improve the composition.
Introduce selected credible composition rules by analyzing the photographs from the shoot using postprocessing to implement the rule and comparing the before and after images.
Rules of Composition
The rules approach developed from the analysis of well-known and appreciated works of art. This was first done by artists who analyzed the work of Renaissance Artists.
For example, the Rule of Thirds, probably the best-known of the composition rules, was first recorded in writing by John Thomas Smith at the end of the 18th Century.
There is a wealth of information online, both in terms of the number of articles and the number of rules. There are articles offering 21 composition rules, 28 techniques, and 78 tips. So there is enough to read, understand and practice. In fact, it can be very confusing so be careful to be selective and keep your own ideas and talents
Rule of Thirds
This suggests the best composition is achieved when the subjects in the image are located on or near the four intersections of equally spaced pairs of vertical and horizontal lines. Positions along the lines can also be seen as conforming to the rule and positioning does not need and usually isn’t exact, So maybe it should be called a guide rather than a rule.
The sun and the figure are both on intersection points, the figure is also aligned with a vertical line while the horizon is on the bottom one-third line but with differing degrees of exactness.
Diagonals
The two objects also fall on what is called the sinister diagonal. This is the diagonal read from the bottom right corner to the top left. The other diagonal as you would not expect is the Baroque diagonal.
Aligning subjects with these diagonals and other lines gives a sense of movement and direction. While aligning with the baroque diagonal is also said to give a more pleasing image – something to do with the way lefthandedness was and in some cultures still is seen as inferior.
Reciprocals
Reciprocals are lines (red in the diagram) from the corners that cross diagonals at right angles ending on a side of the frame. Drawing two vertical and two horizontal lines through the points where diagonals and reciprocals cross completes a diagram which is termed the dynamic symmetry armature.
There are many other lines that can be drawn, creating more and more complicated armatures. Many great works of art have been studied against the armature and show how much art fits this model. However, this is in itself very objective because there is clearly little art that fits these lines totally, and examining online examples of analysis it’s very subjective whether an object is actually aligned with a line.
Leading lines
The leading line is a technique used to lead the reader into the image directing their attention where the photographer wants it to ensure they see the depth and detail of the image.
Converging leading lines tend to add perspective and a sense of depth as well as tension to the image.
The Rule of Odds
This simply states that there should always be an odd number of objects that the photographer wants to draw the viewer to. One object is preferable but if more are needed they should be an odd number. It’s also preferable that focus is placed on the most prominent of a group of images.
Simple Composition Tips
- Use some of light, depth of field, color, texture, and motion when you want to draw attention to an object
- Keep the edges of the image clear of clutter
- Put space in front of subjects looking off camera
- Don’t take photos of people looking out of the photo
- High low & eye level
- Fill the frame unless specifically using negative space to create a feeling of remoteness
- Use framing carefully
Measuring Appeal
Experimenting with your photography is a great way to develop, but you need to be able to judge the results. This can be difficult and your judgment needs to be checked either by others. This could be friends, critique sites, competition sites, photographers, or even AI tools.
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Everypixel launched an Artificial Intelligence-based photograph evaluation system that calculates a percentage from 0 to 100 % which they say is the chance that an image is awesome.
This is simple to use and seems to give some results that make sense. It is, however, only a tool that predicts how artists would rate your photo on a range of criteria including composition. It also gives no information on what it finds in your photo and no composition hints.
Keep looking at the work of artists and photographers and taking photographs – this will help you to develop your own approach.