Compose better Photographs - 3 Tips for beginners

Compose better Photographs - 3 Tips for beginners

A blog which gave knowledge about photography to beginner photographers.

We all like to take good pictures and I am not talking about ‘Selfies’. Most of us like a scene in front and we start clicking but the result disappoints us. This happens because the camera does not capture the scene the way our eyes see it. So, how do we make people see what we see?

Well, the answer is to understand that Photography is an Art. You might not consider yourself an Artist but at least we can try to think like one. We might not be gifted to look at the things creatively the way an Artist does but if we can understand the process to compose better (not good mind it) picture, it should improve our Photographs and pique our interest.

In this article, I will only talk about composing a photograph better and not the other technicalities, that is to be discussed in a later article. So, let us start with 3 things to avoid with examples in this article and my photo profile.

For your understanding, I have provided the example of the  "Hanging Flower Basket" with different composition.

Do not “Stand and Deliver”

Actually taking photographs need the exact opposite. If something appeals you to take a picture then go closer to the camera captures it without much distraction of the other objects in the Frame. For examples look at the pictures below:

Distracted image with no subject in focus

The subject in focus with distractions removed

The picture on top does not tell you about my subject with all the distractions. But, the picture below has no distractions.

I walked closer to similar flower baskets to focus on the subject only and remove unwanted distractions. This is just an example (since the picture is not stunning or something) that how you make other people look at what you see. This is also an example of filling the frame with your subject. Click here to see another example of the Subject brought closer by zooming with the context in the background.

Stand and deliver also brings us to our next problem.

Do not shoot from “Eye level”

Compose better Photographs - 3 Tips for beginners

There is always a better angle to capture your subject instead of simply standing and taking the photo from your eye level. You can crouch, lie down, climb up or click from above and below to create better, interesting angles.

The picture on the left is an example of taking the same object from a different angle and making it an interesting image.

I just walked below the basket but not directly under it, in order to give the idea of the basket’s position. A shot from directly under the basket might have looked good in case the flowers along with the stems and tendrils were overflowing downwards. Here is another photo was taken from closer to the ground.

That brings us to the next common issue with our Photos.

Subject in Center

The Subject is placed as per Rule of Thirds here.

Do not put your subject always in the Center. There are few framing rules which you might use for your composition like the Rule of Thirds or Diagonal & Golden Ratio etc. On the above picture, you can see that the basket is placed on the bottom third of the picture (one third). Similarly, the picture with two flower basket shows how the baskets are placed at the conjuncture of one-third lines. Usually, placing the subjects where the one-third line meets is good to place your subject. The picture above again shows it. The Example shows the subject placed on one third.

Yeah!! I know, I know. I said 3 things to avoid. So, now I am breaking the rule.

Break the Rules

Head of this Egret is right in the Center of Image

However, no rule is hard and absolutely fast. So, the last image is an example that you need not follow the rules always. In this picture, I have placed my subject right in the center of the frame and it works. Since placing it on the thirds would have added the distracting elements of the pond.

Here is another example

Although, the above methods only help you to better compose a photo. You still have to work on other aspects to improve the overall image. Here are a few other things you should consider and work on while composing.

Light: Always make sure to have your subject in the correct light to draw attention to the subject.

Focus: The subject should be sharp, so always lock your focus on the subject.

Corners: Always check the corners of the frame before clicking to remove unwanted elements poking into your pictures (that goes with sides as well).

Level: Check that your picture is in level and does not look tilted. The lines should be straight (like the horizon or any pillar etc.)

Again, there are situations where you would like everything in focus on everything, like the mountain in the background to the river in the foreground. Also, you would like the entire or multiple sections of your image well lit. It can have elements in the corners and sides to complete the scene too. Another example

So, it is you to decide how you want to frame it and how you can use the above suggestions to improve the overall Photo. You will see a drastic change in your photographs by using the tips. 

I hope you liked the blog. I will be posting more articles about making your photographs better. Till then enjoy few Historical Delhi shots as examples below (no points for guessing the locations though).

Another Example of Rule of Thirds

Subject placed in Centre

Zoom in for details

Written by: Sheikh Ershad ‘Shad’