Lets talk Composition

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

Thought this would be fun and good learning to go along with it.

What tips, rules do you use when composing your images and why do you use that rule?

Best to ya, Ernst

[KJ Smith]

This should to be interesting.

I am a rule of thirds guy.

Thats where I start out.

If I can get something interesting in the "cross points".

If I can get something that leads from one to the other, even better.

But, in the end, I go with my instincts. Either it looks right or it doesn't.

As we all know, some of the best stuff comes when you "Break the Rules".

The trick is knowing the rules before you start breaking them.

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

Kevin, I think this one rule will improve many photographers by following it. Of course once you have master this rule it's up to you as the photographer to see something new.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

This should to be interesting.

I am a rule of thirds guy.

Thats where I start out.

If i can get something interesting in the "cross points".

If I can get something that leads from one to the other, even better.

But, in the end, I go with my instincts. Either it looks right or it doesn't.

As we all know, some of the best stuff comes when you "Break the Rules".

The trick is knowing the rules [I]before[I] you start breaking them.

Good post. Rule of thirds really helped me when I was new, but I never even think about it now.

I've found composition the single most difficult thing to teach in photography. I think some people can't see it at all. Half the time I want to throw my arms up and just think that composition is the part of photography that you either get or you dont.

[texkam]

In the words of Dennis "Bones" Carpenter, an old Photography professor:
...of course, you can "compose" anything. : )

[arich]

+1 to what Thomas said.
I think it all depends on what I'm shooting at any given time, I guess you could say that I'm a "RoT guy" but I don't really think about it I just tend to shoot in that general framing because it looks good. I think the biggest composition advice I could give to newbies would be to always be aware of your backgrounds and avoid simple things like poles coming out of heads or distracting clutter and whatnot

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

Yes, another thing we do and I see alot from someone just starting out is by always putting the subject in the middle of the frame. Your better off moving that subject to the left or right to give more balance. However, at times having the subject centered is just what is needed.

[KJ Smith]

A issue that I have is tending to crowd things.

When I was first starting it was pounded into me "fill the frame".

While that is good, some things just need a little room to "breathe".

Sometimes doors need room to open, people need space to look into.

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by Ernst-Ulrich Schafer

Yes, another thing we do and I see alot from someone just starting out is by always putting the subject in the middle of the frame. Your better off moving that subject to the left or right to give more balance. However, at times having the subject centered is just what is needed.

Back in the manual focus days, I blamed this on people trying so hard to focus the camera.

I suppose there is still something to that.

You have to get comfortable with working a camera.

Then the possibilities open up.

[texkam]

I think the biggest composition advice I could give to newbies would be to include the feet.

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by texkam

I think the biggest composition advice I could give to newbies would be to include the feet.

What if your not shooting people?

I always say get closer. Try to figure out what has attracted you to that scene and concentrate on that.

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

KJ, I think it was Capa who said, "If your not happy with your pictures your not close enough". !!!!!

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

Mark your right when talking about portraiture, avoid the cropping of hands, feet etc.. If you need to crop at the elbows, knees. I think one of the hardest things to learn when doing portraits is hand placement. I very rarely have a big strong hand on someones shoulder anymore.

[texkam]

include the feet

I'm really talking about the p&s and green box newbs.

[d2creative]

My only rule is... there are no rules.