After my first photography class, back in second year, we were all asked to get our “good old photographs” along with us. So in my second class, I went with 10 of what I thought were good photos that I might get praised for. When my faculty saw our photographs he told us that certain photos are good (considering we were beginners) and certain aren’t that good. He then told us that from then onward, we would try to develop our “good eye” for better photographs.
Though photography is a very subjective and rules in photography can always be broken to satisfy one’s aesthetics. Also, in photography, often knowledge is guided by practice instead of vice –versa because often it’s about capturing a moment while playing with light. So here is what I can offer you in this article, my own experimentation and exploration of these rules along with what they are in layman language, so that we can easily understand what each rule is about.
So we tried to develop our “good eye” on the basis of certain rules for composing better frames. In the language of photography, a better composition would make a photograph more aesthetic.
But what is a composition? Composition is a way in which the entire picture is made, the things it consists of, the negative spaces it includes.
Anyone and everyone is capable of clicking marvelous photographs, what is important are two things - a good eye and knowing how to frame what we see through our "good eye"
How to develop this so called "good eye"? Simple. By observing.
So unlike Frodo’s quest, let’s begin a journey of uncovering visual secrets in the alleys. Here are 8 tips which would help you with your compositions and help you develop your good eye
1) Rule of thirds-
The rule of thirds is applied by aligning a subject with the guide lines and their intersection points, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line, or allowing linear features in the image to flow from section to section.
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The photos above follow the rule of thirds and the subject in these photos lie on the intersection line of the rule of third. The yellow line indicates the subject.
2) Leading lines -
Leading lines refers to a technique of composition where the viewer of your photos attention is drawn to lines that lead to the main subject of the image. A leading line paves an easy path for the eye to follow through different elements of a photo. The leading lines often tend to see the perspective point of view of subjects.
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The photos above follow the concept of leading lines which lead the path of our eyes to the subject. The yellow in the above photographs help us lead the eye towards the subject. Leading lines often follow perspective grids.
3) Diagonal lines-
Most photographers' primary use for diagonal lines is to lead the eye to a certain point in the photo. Diagonal lines are great at showing movement in images. Diagonal lines also helps in involving a person more in the photographs.
In the above photos, the diagonal lines are usually helping in forming an involving frame but in the second photograph diagonal line is helping in showing a path that leads to the subject and is also a very brilliant example of leading lines.
4) Use of natural frames -
A natural frame could be anything that forms a border around your subject. It could be anything natural like a tree branch or a cave. It could also include a man made object like a door or a window.
In the above photographs natural frames like the frame of a window, space between the wooden frame of loom and a triangular tree branch has been used as natural frame.
6) Fill the frame -
Negative space is a very subjective term. Sometimes the negative spaces makes the subject look prominent, other times they can just make it look bland. Sometimes they need to be filled like in a bird's eye view of a city or perhaps view of street. A person can have their own choice when it comes to utilizing/keeping negative space. What I have been advised regarding good compositions is to have a balanced negative space.
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The above pictures are a variant of negative space, the first one shows a connect with the subject thus we are close to them and the space around them, the expressions of people help in creating the drama and emotions. If there was negative space in this object like the second one then the photo might have lost it's emotional connect. While on the other hand, the second photo is of the lady, Miss Olivia, who is a 96 year old woman and is thus the oldest member of St. Paul's church currently. The negative space around her shows her importance in the scenario. While the third image is a culmination of both 1 and 2. I was close to the subject yet far, and to fill that gap i have used less negative space to add elements to photograph as it does not have an emotional connect.
7) Center Dominant Eye -
Palace the dominant eye of your subject at the center of your photograph.
In the above photos, The center dominant eye for all of the subjects are placed in the center. This is done so that the photo gives u a feeling of being watched back. Also, this technique is helpful for creating an involving photograph.
8) Patterns and repetitions -
Human Beings find patterns interesting. Patterns in images can please the human eye. But, most of the times, there is more beauty in an image whose pattern is broken.
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In the above photographs, all the photographs are of repetitions. They are clicked in different cities, and also contain different example like repetition as something as small as a bobbin (which is a spool of thread) and as large as architecture.
9) Symmetry -
Humans tend to get attracted to symmetry that is the reason why people with a more symmetrical face are often considered more beautiful. Symmetry is often a key of good compositions.
In both the photographs shown above, the line of symmetry is vertical and thus they are vertically symmetrical.
In the end I would like to conclude by saying that once u know these, you can click more aesthetic photographs but these are not limitations. You can always break the rules and make your own. One can always have a unique style of photography with a unique approach. Your individuality is what makes you creative.
-Photography and Article by Jasleen Ashta.
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