Taking Good Photographs The Principles of Composition
Think about what the picture should look like before you take it. Photos send a message- what message do you wish to convey?
Center of Interest Determine what you want the viewer’s attention to be drawn to before you take the photo
Vertical and Horizontal For tall subjects (people standing, buildings, flagpoles), hold the camera vertically For flat objects (the horizon, a person sleeping), hold it horizontally
The Rule of Thirds
Horizons Horizons should always be placed one-third away from the bottom or top of the photo
Camera Angle Choose a unique viewpoint most people might not ever see Change angle to eliminate distracting things in the background
Camera Angle Hints To make someone look more impressive, shoot from lower than their shoulders up To make someone look less impressive, shoot from above Always get down to the same level as children
Your subject is not a bulls-eye Try several different viewpoints- do not always center your subject in the middle
Taking a Portrait Good portraits reveal at least one element of a person’s attitude, personality or mannerisms You want to “really capture” the subject
How to take a good portrait 1. Decide what is unique about the person 2. Make them feel comfortable: smile at them, have some small talk 3. Emphasize them, not their surroundings 4. Shoot the head and shoulders, with the eyes as the center of interest
Size and Scale Objects that are big seem more important, while small objects seem less important.
Which seems more important?
Climb high Landscapes and large groups should be shot from above- climb up on something to get a good angle
Camera Shake A blurry picture is often caused by not holding the camera still Solutions: Stand firm, hold your breath and press the shutter; don’t use zoom; use a tripod or solid surface
Lines and Patterns Lines lead the viewer’s eye to a point in a photo Patterns catch viewer attention
Moving subjects Always show the destination of a moving subject
Which is the better photo?