Composition Basics Mahlon Stacy my.photoshelter.com/mahlonstacy

There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs Ansel Adams

Simple rules Background & Foreground Rule of Thirds (aka The Golden Ratio) Lines Curves Framing

Background & Foreground Background is the foundation Consider the background first Simplicity yields better photos

Background – yechhh!

Background OK

Rule of Thirds Having your main subject off center generally yields more interesting photos Divide the image into 9 equal parts Place elements along lines or at interesections

Rule of Thirds

Lines & Curves Vertical lines create tension Horizontal lines create peace Diagonal lines are dynamic… they draw the eye into the image S-curves are graceful… they draw attention

Vertical Lines

Horizontal Lines

Diagonal Lines

S Curves

Framing Adding a frame adds depth to an image Additional interest when frame associates with elements

Framing

References Mastering Landscape Photography Alan Briot Working the Light: A Landscape Photography Masterclass Joe Cornish, Cherlie Waite, David Ward, Eddie Ephraums Taking your photography to the Next Level George Barr r_photographic_composition.html

What I use Nikon D mm kit lens mm VR Zoom 50mm f1.8 E Series SB600 Speedlight Panasonic FZ30 Circular Polarizers ND Filters PS Elements 7 Premiere Elements 7 Adobe Lightroom Epson R340 Epson 1900 Photoshelter web site