Composition in Photography
A look at composition terms:
Golden Mean / Rule of Thirds
The Golden Mean or Rule of thirds is a way to place your subjects in an ideal placement. The Golden Mean is found naturally in things such as a pine cones scales and snail shells. The most practical way to determine the golden mean points is to split your image into thirds both horizontally and vertically, creating 9 sections. Placing your subject on the intersections and aligning horizons with the section lines creates visually pleasing images.
For a deeper dive into Golden Mean and the rule of thirds, read this Photography Hero article.
Balancing Elements
Balance refers to the visual weight of the elements in a photo. Balance can be equal and unequal, though unequal is not necessarily bad. the image below has pretty even balance, the objects are equal, the bright red and blue balance each other out.
Jason Stewart Photography explains balance in this video.
Leading Lines
Leading lines are either real lines (edges of walkways, buildings, etc) or implied lines (looking through a tunnel, etc) that leads our eyes to a certain area of the image. Either to a specific subject or spot on the image that becomes the focal point.
Joshua Cripps Photography has a great video explaining more about leading lines.
Symmetry and Patterns
Symmetry and patterns can be very interested in photography. Symmetry is the ability to have equal elements on both sides of the image, whether vertical, horizontal or radial symmetry. Buildings, reflection on bodies of water, and flowers are all great examples of each type os symmetry. Patterns can also show symmetry or repeating elements of photography.
See Sonika Agarwal on YouTube for more about symmetry.
Viewpoint
The viewpoint on a photograph is the angle at which the photo is taken in comparison to the subject. High viewpoints are taken from above the subject, and low viewpoints are taken from lower than the subject. By using different viewpoints you are creating interest in the photo. As a photographer, getting low or climbing onto things, you are capturing a viewpoint not many people may see.
Nat Rogers on YouTube has a quick video with some examples of interesting viewpoints.
Background
It is important to take into account the background of an image. Does it take away from or add to the subject or the context needed in an image. Should you change aperture to bring in or out of focus the surrounding area? The background of an image is almost as important at the subject itself.
Photokonexion has a great definition and explanation of background in photography.
Depth
Creating depth in your photos helps engage your audience with the image. Depth can be achieved by including elements in the foreground and the background that are of interest. As well as blurring the background or foreground to focus on the subject and pull them out of the scene, or to create the feeling that the scene extends on past our eye.
Photography Mad has a great article on creating depth.
Framing
Framing is about how the subject is placed in the image. Framing combines all of these other elemetns, combining the rule of thirds, balance, viewpoint, into a single image. Pulling the camera in tight and framing out a specific area, or pulling wide to capture lots of context.
The Great Courses Plus on YouTube has a quick explainer.
Cropping
Cropping is similar to framing, in that it focuses on what is or isn't included in an image. Cropping is also similar to framing in that it is a combonation of the elements touched on above. What we leave out of an image or what we focus our frame on is important to the context and the goal of the photo.
