This will be the first post about Composition, and nothing better than start with the most simple and well-known Rule of composition.

Composition

Composition can be defined as the way you arrange the Elements of your scene within the limited space of a picture, and basically is what differentiates a pleasant picture from another one completely unattractive. A very naïve comparison is to think about music: you can play the right chords, but if they are not in the right sequence you will probably end up with something very unpleasant to the ears. The same about photography: having the right elements on a picture is a good start, but you have to place them correctly. 

Most people buy their digital cameras and start to shoot like they were handling a machine gun, pressing the fire button whenever they see something interesting without carrying too much about aiming right. Acting like this, eventually one will get a nice picture among hundreds of shots, but there are more efficient ways to do it.

What defines a pleasant picture can’t be completely explained. It’s related to the way our subconscious interprets images. There’s no exact rule on how to make pictures that attracts attention and are pleasant to stare, but there are some guidelines that, if followed, act like a better aiming, dramatically increasing the quality and visual attraction of pictures taken.

Rule of Thumb

A lot of people think that the best place to position the subject on a picture is right in the center of it. Usually terrible results will arise. So let’s learn something else.

Imagine lines that divide your frame into three equal parts both horizontally and vertically. You’ll end up with something like the image bellow. You will place important elements of your image either in the intersection of those lines or along them.

Studies have shown that when viewing images people’s eyes usually go rather to one of the intersection points than to the center of the shot. See it yourself comparing the two pictures bellow.

Another practical example: Horizons should follow one of the horizontal lines.

People should stand along one of the vertical lines…

Ok, not exactly a human, but you’ve got the idea.

If you shoot a portrait, try to put the person’s eye along the top horizontal line.

Vertical-like elements should follow vertical lines.

And don’t panic if you forgot about it while shooting. You can always crop the image later at home.

Rules are made to be broken

The rule of thirds is very useful. If you keep it in mind, you will come up with much more balanced images. But, as I’ve said before,the rule is just a guideline and can (and should ) be broken. Feel free to experiment and be creative.

Have fun,

Israel Lot.