Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is when you divide your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically, and then place the most important elements at one of the four intersections or along the lines. Using the Rule of Thirds adds balance and interest to a photo.
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Don
The tape measure in the photograph is placed in the top right intersection. The line created by the measure leads the viewers eyes through the photograph.
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Horizontal and Vertical Composition
Vertical composition is better for a subject that is taller than it is wide and horizontal composition is better for a subject that is shorter than it is wide, but if you want to show a subject' surroundings you can use either.
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Dan Anderson
This photograph of the Grand Canyon encompasses the surrounding area making the image more interesting. If it was a horizontal photograph you would just see a very large rock and not very much of the surrounding area.
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Leading Lines
They draw the viewers eye through the image from one spot to the next.
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| Sean Scanlon The lines in the sand lead you towards the rock in the top left corner of the picture. |
Fill Frame and Simplicity
Fill Frame eliminates any background that is distracting and draws your attention straight towards the subject because you are taking an up-close picture.
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Catskills Photography
The carrot and celery in this image are free of distractions from the surrounding area because the photograph was taken from very close-up.
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Amputations and Aliens
Amputation in a photograph is when you have cut of part of the subject. An alien (distraction) is something that looks like something it isn't, for example, a tree that looks like an antenna coming out of your subject's head. To eliminate both of these problems you can just adjust the camera angle.
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María PilarThe street light in this photograph appears to be coming out from the snow. Changing the angle of the camera would eliminate this alien.
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