Composition Techniques.

Have you ever thought why most of the people like a particular image of architecture or object despite seeing many images of the same?. There must be something unique and appealing with that one picture. Right?

As promised in one of my previous post titled "Basics of Photography", here is the continuation post related to photography on "composition techniques".

This post is going to be based mostly on pictures as visual understanding is really important with this topic of discussion.

These techniques are pretty straight forward. It's all about how one should frame a picture to grab the attention of the viewers. The so-called techniques which I am trying to explain here are the most basic ones (You might have been using them already) anyone should keep in mind while capturing an image either be it by a mobile/DSLR.

let's get to the point.

Here are the following techniques:

Rule of thirds

Every time you try shooting a picture, try breaking down the frame in your mind into 9 equal parts using two horizontal and vertical lines as shown below. This feature is available on almost all mobiles now and you can access the same with the tool named GRID Tool. Try positioning your main subject on any of these four intersection points or along the lines. Also, remember to leave some space in the direction the main subject is looking towards.

If a person is looking left, try positioning him/her at the right side intersection points and vice versa.

Here are a few examples of the same for better understanding.

The tiger here is looking towards the right. So, positioning the tiger on the left intersection points is the most appealing way.

(Image Source: shorturl.at/aeBS2 )

Here the boy is looking straight. So, it really doesn't matter if you are placing him on the right side or left side of the frame.

I follow this in almost every picture I capture and you can see them all at @sathwikbobba.

Leading Lines/curves

The ultimate goal of this technique is to draw the attention of the viewers to the main subject using the virtual lines in the picture. For example, imagine a shot of a building alone vs building along with the road leading to it. Here the road directs you to the main subject(building) and it has a lot of visual impacts.

(Image Source: shorturl.at/bLRS5 )

The following image follows the rule of symmetry too along with the leading lines technique.

(Image Source: shorturl.at/AMQW9 )

Rule of symmetry

The name itself conveys the most. Try for symmetry in your images and try following the rule of odds(explained below) along with this technique for better results. This is also known as formal balance or symmetrical balance technique.

(Image Source: shorturl.at/aesO5)

Interestingly, the following image follows both the symmetry and the leading lines.

(Image Source: shorturl.at/pEQRX)

Rule of odds

All this technique says is to use an odd number of subjects in your image for visual impact. This trick works till the number 7/9 beyond which our brains really don't care. For example, try positioning 3 trees in your image rather than 2 or 4.

This trick doesn't work when it comes to couple photography and some contrast photography sometimes.

(Image Source: shorturl.at/bfmqv)

Colour Contrast

This trick makes a lot of sense to those interested in artwork because this is what they really care about in their work.

Try using the subjects which can colour contrast to your main subject. Blue and red works most of the time and you can witness the same in the below image. Just imagine the same picture with different colour combinations and you will realise how interesting this colour contrast technique can be.

In the following images rule of odds and rule of thirds are being followed along with the rule of colour contrast.

(Image Source: shorturl.at/avGNW )

High/Low Horizon Line

We often go to beaches and who wouldn't try their photography skills there?

Horizon line is where the sky meets land or water.

Our attention is always drawn towards the horizontal lines which is why you will also hear it as "Eye Level". Often beginners like me make mistakes without trying to keep the horizon line straight. This is really important and should be on top of our minds during beach and aerial photography.

(Image Source: shorturl.at/hzFX8)

There can be three positions for this horizon line :

• High Horizon

• Low Horizon

• Center Horizon

High Horizon is when you try positioning the horizon line in the top third of the image or along the topmost grid line. This is when you want the landscape to be your main subject like the image below.

(Image Source:shorturl.at/qTU39 )

Low Horizon is when you try positioning the horizon line in the bottom third of the image or along the bottom grid line. This is when you want the sky to be your main subject like the image below.

(Image Source: shorturl.at/hzFX8)

Centre Horizon is when you try positioning the horizon line in the centre of the image. This is when the whole picture is your area of interest. The following image is an example of it.

(Image Source: shorturl.at/cdglH)

Last but not the least "Break the rules" because these aren't really rules to be followed. These are just a few techniques that a beginner can start with and must be explored more for getting better.

Happy exploring and Happy photography.📸

-lot's of love.