Gordon Wildman Photography < prev Tips next >
10:
Composition
 Composition. What is it? For me it's one of those things where the saying goes " you know it when you see it". It feels right. There's a natural instinctual reaction to interesting composition. There are rules to composition "rule of thirds" - "don't put your subject in the dead center of an image" - and others that are important to know, but can always be broken. The important thing about composition is learning to see. It's tapping into your minds eye. It's crossing that line of being a passive absorber of what's around you and actively making a conscious effort to participate in it, in an instinctual way, an intellectual way, and most importantly a way that has inspired you to take that image. Composition is a difficult concept to wrap my mind around - this has to be here that has to be there - it's just not as simple as that. It's an interaction, a dynamic that is always challenging you. Factors for consideration: space within an image, weight, shadow, light, focus, depth of field, contrast, color, texture, line, action, motion, drama, story - all these elements play a part in leading your eyes through an image and holding your attention. A simple example. The two images above have a subtle difference. The one on the left works for me, the one on the right doesn't. It's a small difference but a significant one for me. Find what works for you, and don't be limited by the rules of composition. |