Website Design Tips - Hypergurl

How to compose your photograph for maximum impact!

Looking through past family photographs, I've realised that I often place the main subject smack dead in the middle of the photo. However, I've since learned that this is usually the failings of amature photography and that images are much more interesting if taken from a different perspective.

Take this photo for instance, where the chair has been placed dead centre in the middle of the shot:

Pretty uninteresting huh?

Now compare it to this one where the chair is positioned to the right with the ocean, islands and boat in the distance balancing the composition of the photograph, while helping to create interest.

When it comes to photography, don't be afraid to go outside your normal frame of mind and learn to experiment a little. Unlike film photography, digital images won't financially cost you any extra to have fun playing around with different ideas.

For example:

A landscape doesn't have to be taken horizontally. Turn your camera 180 degrees as though your taking a portrait and see what happens.

Contrasting elements such as two people looking in different directions can make a photograph more interesting. Or for example, a small child next to a large building, or a large muscular father holding a small newborn baby.

You don't need to have the whole subject in the photo. Sometimes part of, is best.

Compare this picture:

With this one shown below:

Look for lines that may help lead the viewers eye to the subject. For example, in this photograph the horizontal lines on the beach help to lead the viewers eye toward the bird on the right.

Another example using line to draw the viewers eye through the image:

Look for numerous elements that can be used to your advantage. For instance instead of taking a simple photo of a beach:

Try different angles and compositions:

Other resources for photographic composition:

1. The website below is useful for beginners to use as a learning tool or guide for taking better photography. It covers the following areas: The rule of thirds, balance, light, point of view, line, motion, selective focus, contrast and variety, shape, rhythm and pattern, texture, space, perspective, framing and scale.

http://www.risd.org/schools/phs/clubs/ponyexpr/photoj/composi/

2. The next website is useful for explaining photographic composition in terms of simplicity, contrast, balance, framing, viewpoint, diagonals and rule of thirds.

http://azuswebworks.com/photography/ph_comp.html

UPDATE: Our tutorials for photographers are now being continued over at SLR Photography Guide.