Colin McDonald

Tips and Tricks for Better Photo Composition

A few simple tips that could make the difference between an ordinary photo and something special.

Got yourself a new camera but the photos you produce could do with matching your cameras ability? This is not an unusual situation as many people want to take better photos get soe new kit hoping this will magically turn them into a pro - it won't. By understanding a few rules of composition then you should start to take far superior photos. Following these tips should get on the right track for wowing your friends and family with your new photography skills.

Quite often to simpler the composition  the more impact it will have on the viewer. Keep the colours bold and lines strong -  this technique works well with architecture shots.  Keep to having the main subject in shot without any distractions, and if you choose the right subject you should have a striking photo.

For example, se train lines or a road to draw the eyes to the real subject of the picture. Ideally you want the viewer’s eyes to be led to the subject or element of the photo you wish to give focus to.

Think of the type of shot you get from a professional photographer. A portrait photographer normally uses a plain background, normally white, and gets the subject to stand out by asking them to wear bright colours. You need to start thinking of the same techniques. It is not always going to be possible to use this technique, but try to avoid a background with strong patterns and lines.

If you are taking a portrait shot ideally you want the background to plain and unobtrusive.  Try and blur the background if in an urban location, always try to think how to can make the best use of my subject.

Don’t always think that getting up close and personal with your subject will give you a better photo. Give the photograph some air. Leave some space free. This is where the rule of thirds comes in useful.  Some cameras will have a setting to show the image through the viewfinder marked in thirds. Putting a subject in the first third on the left and leaving the 2 thirds of the space in the right free for example.

I am not talking here about picking a good quality wooden or metal frame. Frame your picture when taking it. Use things like windows and other object to frame the focus of the photo. Taking a landscape shot can be made into a much better picture when taken to include the view from the window. It gives that extra little bit if interest to the picture.

I am not talking about becoming a bossy wedding photographer. If taking portraits then tell the subject what looks good through the lens. If you want them to move then tell them. Trying different positions / locations just makes you look like you know what you are doing!

Article Tags: Better Photo

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