Week Five - Tips For Better Photos

This is the third week about Photographic Composition. In my opinion, composition is one of the most important things that will make your photos stand out. It can often be something that is easily overlooked because we are in a hurry to capture that moment. That is why it is important to practice these tips ahead of time, so that they will become second nature and you won't have to think about them. So, here we go...

1) Leading Lines Use natural lines in your surrounding to help lead the viewer's eye to the subject. Select a camera angle where the natural lines of the scene lead the viewer's eyes into the picture and toward your main center of interest. You can find such a line in a road, a fence, even a shadow. Diagonal lines are dynamic; curved lines are flowing and graceful. You can often find the right line by moving around and choosing a different angle.

In this image, notice how the curve of the sidewalk draws your eyes towards the subjects in the portrait.

 

2) Move Your Subject Out of the Center. The placement of your subject in the frame denotes its relevance to the context. The center of the frame is the weakest place -- it's static and dull. The more you move the subject away from the center, the more importance you give to the subject; so juggle until you get the right balance. One of the most popular 'rules' in photography is the Rule Of Thirds. This is how it works: Imaginary lines are drawn both horizontally and vertically, dividing the image into thirds. You place the important elements of your photograph where these lines intersect. The theory is that if you place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines that your photo becomes more balanced and will enable the viewer to interact with it more naturally. Studies have shown that when viewing images people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot - using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it. Here is a portrait that is a great example of the rule of thirds. Even though she is technically in the center of the portrait, I have angled the camera to make it more interesting and to help put the focal point, which is her face, into one of the intersecting thirds. 

 

Here is an example of the imaginary lines used in the rule of thirds. See how it divides the portrait up into nine even pieces. Your subject should be near, if not in, one of the places where these lines intersect. In this portrait, not only does her body cross through the intersecting lines, but her face is almost in an intersecting point as well.

 

3) Framing No, I am not referring to the frames we but to put our photos in, I am referring to the natural frames in nature that we can use to frame our subjects in. Framing is the tactic of using natural surroundings to add more meaning to your subject. Doing this can help to add more meaning to the subject by surrounding the subject or by simply pointing in the direction of the main subject. It can be anything a window, a doorway, a mirror, a group of trees or bushes. You get the picture. Just be careful that you don't accidentally focus on what's framing your subject, make sure that your camera is focused on the main subject.

Notice how the window in the background frames her and works well with making her the point of focus for this portrait?

 

Now that I am through taking care of business, I thought I would share a few sneak peaks from some recent sessions. Here is a frequent flier of mine, little Rachel. She is getting so BIG! And doesn't she have the sweetest smile?

   

Meet Kelli & Martin. These guys came in recently and we walked around downtown Greer for some fun and funky couples portraits. Martin, I hope it wasn't too painful for you. 

 

Then there were the Rutland's. Angela and her two beautiful and spunky daughters Emma and Ellie came in for a portrait session. Sshhh! Don't tell anyone because it was a surprise for Father's Day! 

Comments

[Margie]

Great tips SL. Thanks for the extra tips on the phone the other day. Wanted to leave you a comment, so you didn't feel you were commentless.(Is that even a word?) Enjoyed our chat, and hope you have a great day.