Point Photo
Better Photo Tips – for Photo Composition
For most of us it seems fairly common sense that you can’t fit a square peg into a round hole, yet many beginning photographers attempt to do just that. If you have a tall, vertical subject like a person or a tree your camera needs to be held in a vertical position. Why? Because if you do not fill the frame of your camera, you are wasting visual space. Have you ever seen a finished painting where 2/3rd’s of the canvas has no paint on it at all? Very doubtful, because to the painter ever square inch of his canvas, is part of his creation. Therefore the first photo tip is the format (vertical or horizontal) must match the subject.
This basic concept covers several elements of design. To have balance in your image the subject must match the format. To make sure the subject is the main focus of your viewer, you must be aware of the background so it does not distract. Of course, the easiest way to eliminate visual distractions is to move in closer.
Getting back to the painting analogy, most painters are very aware of the point of focus in their finished product. Likewise; as an up and coming photographer your next photo tip to remember is to always be aware of the viewer’s point of focus. Just for clarification, I am not talking about depth of field. When I use the phrase “point of focus” I am referring to what the viewer sees within your image. You might think that is obvious, they are looking at my subject. That is only true, if you shot your subject correctly.
For example, let’s say you take a picture of a girl at the beach. Regardless of what format you choose if the horizontal line of the water crashing on the sand is dramatically off it will distract your viewer. If in the background there is a little boy playing with a big round ball, this will also pull your attention away from the main subject. If the subject is fairly light skinned and you have her lying on a bright red towel, that color will also visually distract.
To this end, learning the rule of thirds will greatly enhance the odds that your viewer is looking specifically where you want them to look. If you divide any image into thirds, (both vertically and horizontally) the points where those thirds meet are the natural focus points of most viewers. Therefore if you design the image so that your subject falls on one or more of those natural focus points, you will have a great advantage over those who shoot everything dead center. The third photo tip is this; place your subject where it is visually the most pleasing.
Most painters when they have finished their great work of art will frame it. Why is that? A frame helps draw your attention into the image and says, “Hey look at me, I’m important!” While you can do this in the same way that most painters do, when it comes to photography the word “framing” tends to take on a different meaning.
In most cases, framing consist of something in the foreground (usually slightly out of focus) that helps set off something in the background. One of the reasons this is such a powerful tool, is that this is exactly how the human eye sees things. Think about it: A flower at the edge of a canyon, you can either focus on the flower or the canyon, but not both. Your camera, can make both in focus at the same time (depth of field), but that’s not really how you saw it. Another great photo tip is to make the viewer feel what you felt. This can often be done by framing and the creative use of a narrow depth of field.
To summarize:
A) The format (vertical or horizontal) must match the subject. (Don’t waist space, plan every inch of your canvas.)
B) Always be aware of the viewer’s point of focus. (Don’t let lines, shapes, or colors become distractions.)
C) Place your subject where it is visually the most pleasing. (Use lines and the Rule of Thirds to your advantage.)
D) Make the viewer feel what you felt. (Use framing and Depth of Field to your advantage.)
If you were already an artist, composition might come naturally. But for those new to photography, this is the starting point not the final destination. Each of these tips helps you to remember several other issues involved in making a great photo. It helps if you think of yourself as an artist and each image as a work of art. Study the elements of design. Be aware what lines,shapes, colors, texture, and balance can do for your image. Take pride in every shot you take, and above all . . . have fun!
About the Author
Award winning writer / photographer Tedric Garrison has 30 years experience in photography. As a Graphic Art Major, he has a unique perspective on the Elements of Design and how those elements relate to all aspects of photography. His photo eBook (Your Creative Edge) proves that creativity CAN be taught. Tedric shares his wealth of knowledge with the world, at: Better Photo Tips.com
Pokemon Snap – Pikachu on Articuno – 8000 Point Photo!
|
|
Lake Elsinore Inspiration Point Real Photo CA Postcard $6.00 |
|
|
Anne Bancroft Shirley MacLaine Turning Point Pres Photo $14.99 |
|
|
Herbert Ross Nora Kaye Turning Point Press Movie Photo $14.99 |
|
|
Harbor Point from bluff, Harbor Springs MI 1901 Photo $3.25 |
|
|
Ca 1885 Antique Real Photo STEREOVIEW Card ~ NIAGARA FALLS ~ POV Victoria Point $0.99 |
|
|
Stoney Point Tripod Rear Support / Photo Kit – Tag Along CP-112 Monopods $23.95 |
|
|
YOSEMITE National PARK Sentinel Point Trail PHOTO #2 $5.00 |
|
|
YOSEMITE National PARK Sentinel Point Trail PHOTO #1 $5.00 |
|
|
Château de Saint-Point LAMARTINE FRANCE 1920s PHOTOGRAPH BOOK Original $49.99 |
|
|
Original 1922 Cedar Point Ohio Convention Pic Delegate Group Photo Watchtower $38.99 |
|
|
Vintage 1939 West Point Military Academy Camp Illumination Party Photo Article $5.95 |
|
|
Mitchell Point Tunnel Columbia River Hwy Oregon Photo Postcard 1915 Cross RPPC $0.99 |
|
|
BS PHOTO bou-555 Ship Tugboat King’s Point Transportation Boats and Ships Miscel $32.49 |
|
|
ANGIE DICKINSON FULL LENGTH STRIKING POSE VINTAGE 8X10 STILL PHOTO POINT BLANK $24.99 |
|
|
RPPC-POINT LONG LAKE NY-CABIN-EASTERN PHOTO PC $7.75 |
|
|
MIKE BIBBY N.Y. Knicks Point Guard Signed 11 x 14 Photo Univ. of Arizona COA $37.46 |
|
|
Photo West Point Swim Team Shirtless Yound Men Gay Interest $9.99 |
|
|
Franco Nero smiles as he points gun The Mercenary original photo $24.99 |
|
|
MARK MARTIN #6 VALVOLINE FORD AT SONOMA 1999 8X10 PHOTO NASCAR SEARS POINT $7.99 |
|
|
RICKY RUDD #10 TIDE PEROXIDE AT SEARS POINT SONOMA 1999 8X10 PHOTO NASCAR FORD $7.99 |
|
|
DALE EARNHARDT SR #3 AT SEARS POINT SONOMA 1999 NASCAR 8X10 PHOTO WINSTON CUP $7.99 |
|
|
DALE JARRETT #88 AT SEARS POINT SONOMA 1999 FORD NASCAR 8X10 PHOTO WINSTON CUP $7.99 |
|
|
MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV 35MM SLIDE PHOTO THE TURNING POINT $15.99 |
|
|
RARE EAGLE RIVER WI RPPC MAIN LODGE @ GROSS POINT LODGE & CABINS PARFITT PHOTO $7.99 |
|
|
0410* RPPC POMONA CA GRAND CANYON FROM POINT SUBLIME REAL PHOTO PC $9.99 |
|
|
Point Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Buxton NC 1989 photo $4.75 |
|
|
Point Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Buxton NC 1989 photo $4.75 |
|
|
Point Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Buxton NC 1989 photo $4.75 |
|
|
Real Photo Postcard-View From Jemmy’s Point,Australia $9.99 |
|
|
8×10 Civil War Photo: Fortifications, Gloucester Point $1.99 |
|
|
8×10 Civil War Photo Bermuda Hundred Landing City Point $1.99 |
|
|
MONSON ME Indian Point c1910 Real Photo RPPC $11.93 |
|
|
1963 Press Photo 15 HAWK Anti-Aircraft Missiles At Key West Point At Cuba $9.99 |
|
|
WW2 USMA West Point Football Field Official Photo 9×7 $23.90 |
|
|
WW2 USMA West Point Ballroom Hall 8×10 Official Photo $23.90 |
|
|
Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor $55.00 Makes up to 24% more juice than a leading petitorExtra-large 3″ chute juices whole fruits and vegetables with less prep800-watt motor processes whole fruits and vegetables in secondsLarge pulp bin allows the user to juice longer and add nutrient-rich pulp to any recipeAll removable parts are dishwasher-safeStainless steel strainer basket with cleaning brush for easy pulp removalEasy to assemble an… |
|
|
Victorinox 47513 6-Inch Flex Boning Knife with Fibrox Handle $16.80 Nothing is worse than going to cut with your cutlery, and having the handle slip around in your hand. To combat this potential for injury, Victorinox has created this Fibrox boning knife. The Fibrox® handle is textured and provides a firm grip, even when wet, and does not slip or slide around. It is comfortable and fits naturally to the shape of your hand, and provides an attractive and modern st… |
|
|
Victorinox 46892 Fibrox 3-Piece Chef’s Knife Set $67.95 Nothing is worse than going to cut with your cutlery, and having the handle slip around in your hand. To combat this potential for injury, Victorinox has created this Fibrox 3 piece knife set. The Fibrox® handles are textured and provide a firm grip, even when wet, and do not slip or slide around. They are comfortable and fit naturally to the shape of your hand, and provide an attractive and mode… |
|
|
The River $12.48 Despite the acclaim accorded Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town, this is the album that broke Springsteen into the big leagues, thanks to “Hungry Heart,” then his most pointedly commercial song; it had new fans swooning but some old ones grumbling for the “poetic” Springsteen of days gone by. Not to worry–though more economical lyrically, The River had something to offer nearly everyone… |
|
|
The Best of Riverdance $11.50 The DVD debut of Michael Flatley’s performance in Riverdance (or at least part of it) is one of the highlights of The Best of Riverdance, a generous survey of the Irish hard-shoe sensation that has riveted live audiences and PBS viewers for a decade. Beginning with the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest performance that led to the full-length stage show, the program compiles a number of highlights from… |
|
|
Blues Breakers $10.28 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: MAYALL,JOHNTitle: BLUES BREAKERS WITH ERIC CLAPTStreet Release Date: 06/05/2001… |
|
|
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – The Complete Season Two [Blu-ray] $39.00 The “Clone Wars” goes back to the original Star Wars film when Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke Skywalker that he was once a Jedi knight the same as your father and that they fought together in the Clone Wars. Since that moment fans have been obsessed with what the clone wars were. This new TV series takes place immediately after the events of Star Wars-Episode II: Attack of the Clones. The s… |
|
|
Gerber 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife, Serrated Edge $79.99 From Gerber, the 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife is designed to help you endure in the toughest environments. It features an ergonomic grip for comfortable handling and a dependable stainless steel blade with a versatile serrated edge. Additionally, the knife and military-grade nylon sheath are packed with innovative survival tools, including a fire starter, a diamond blade sh… |
|
|
Neiko 01407A Stanless Steel 6-Inch Digital Caliper with Extra-Large LCD Screen and Instant SAE-Metric Conversion $13.59 When you require exact measuring, you reach for a caliper. But an accurate measurement is meaningless if you can’t read it accurately. This caliper takes an essential tool into the 21st century with an extra-large LCD digital readout for exact internal and outside measurements accurate to .001″. Instantly converts from SAE or Metric, the display can be zeroed at any point on the slide. Machine-gro… |
|
|
P3 International P4460 Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor $59.95 Connect your appliances into the Kill A Watt and measure how efficient they are. LCD display counts consumption by the Kilowatt-hour just like utility companies. Application: Electricity usage monitor, Battery Included: Built in, Measures: Voltage, line frequency and amps, Display Shows: Kilowatt-hour… |