BASIC RULES OF PHOTOGRAPHY
The single most important part of good photography is composition. How you compose your pictures will make the difference between a snapshot and a photograph. The basics of composition are rather simple and will be picked up with practice and over time they will come naturally. Look carefully through your viewfinder before taking the picture.
Even though these are considered the "basic rules" of photography, rules are, at times, meant to be broken. Remember, not all of these techniques will work for all of your picture--if you feel that it isn't working with your picture, don't use it.
There are 3 basic ways to arrange the elements within your composition:
1. Physically move objects or people. This will usually only work with still-life.
2 Tell people to move. It only works with people who can hear you.
3. Move! Usually the most effective way to control your composition is to alter your viewpoint.
2 Tell people to move. It only works with people who can hear you.
3. Move! Usually the most effective way to control your composition is to alter your viewpoint.
Now let's focus on Basic Composition rules to make your pictures great!
1. Rule of Thirds: One of the most important composition rule!
Imagine a set of lines dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. As you get ready to take a picture, place important elements of your composition where these lines intersect. As well as using the intersections you can arrange areas into bands occupying a third of the surface. You can also decide to place important elements along the imaginary lines. This rule is one of the simpler rules to implement. Simple but crucial!Using the Rule of Thirds helps produce nicely balanced, easy on the eye pictures.One last thing about the Rule of Thirds: these “rules” are best used as guidelines and if you can create a better image by bending or ignoring rules then cheat and forget about it! .
2. Fill the Frame:
Objects in your viewfinder (or on your LCD screen) appear larger than they actually are!! Before you take that picture, take a look around and behind your subject for any distractions! When you are looking through your viewfinder, you are viewing your subject in 3D but you must remember that when you print your photograph your subject will in flattened out (so that telephone pole may look like it's coming out of your subject). Make sure your subject is filling in the frame. The best way to do this is to move a bit closer. Also, make sure that you do not have "acres" of space around your main subject.
3. Eliminate distracting elements:
Have you ever taken a photograph and when you had it printed, you noticed some disctractions that you did not notice? Your camera does not selectively focus on only what interests you, it will capture everything in its viewfinder. Look closely through your viewfinder (or LCD screen) for anything that may be distracting from your subject and try to crop these from your picture. The basic rule to follow is if it doesn't contribute to the overall image, get rid of it. You may have to readjust your shot and recompose for a better result. Move! Change your viewpoint and eliminate the undesired elements.