Composition

Compose Your Photograph
Before you go out and buy that big expensive camera know this, Its not the camera that takes the stunning photographs, its the photographer. Its all in how you compose your subject. There are rules of composition and if you practice them you will find that your photographs will improve.
First, decide what your subject is. Are you going to show the whole scene? Think about where you are going to place your subject in the scene.
--Using the rule of thirds is common practice. Imagine the scene is divided into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. You then place your subject on the imaginary intersecting lines.
--Another composition tool would be to place the lines in your scene on a diagonal. For example, if you have a road in the scene move yourself or the camera so that the road is running in a diagonal line across your image.
--Frame your scene by using items on the edges of the scene. An example would be placing a tree on the edges of the photograph so that it frames the subject.
--Try to find the unique point of view. Get up higher than your subject, or get your belly on the floor and shoot up at your subject.
--Keep it simple and use depth of field (covered next month) to zero in on your subject.
--Get close to your subject, even in a portrait. Fill the frame with the subject and see what happens.
You are encouraged to combine these tools and develop your own style and photographic eye. See what develops.

Last Month's Home Work

Macro was the subject last month

Lance Berry sent this in

of his cactus. Actual size is
3/8 in tall and 1/4 in wide.

Marla Murphy sent this photo of Samson the cat. She used the macro setting on her point and shoot camera.

Home Work

OK! Work on your Photographer's EYE. Practice the composition tools and show me what helped you the most of the tools I listed. One or more will illuminate the light over your head for that Ah-HA moment. Let me know what your questions are and if you want to see more examples.

I am available for photographic tutoring. Give me a call!

The flower on the left is an example of placing the subject on a diagonal and the one on the right is an example of filling the frame with the subject. Thanks to Marla Murphy for sending these in.
Roseanne Photography
roseannephotography.com
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roseanne@roseannephotography.com