Blog about Digital Cameras
[27/07/2010] Photographic Composition – Planning, Improving and Story Telling
Photographers can be broadly classified into two main categories namely the snap-happy types who throw caution to the winds while taking photos and the over planning types who are extremely meticulous over their photographs. An ideal photographer, however, is a bit of both since not only does he display the attribute of spontaneity like a snap-free photographer, but is also capable of producing the best quality pictures which are reflective of adequate planning.
Belonging to the two extreme poles as regards style and technique, while the over planning photographers spend hours on planning a shot in terms of position, angle, controls and setting, all the planning that the snap happy photographer indulges in is to switch on the camera, hold it at an arm’s-length and simply take photographs at random. However, there is no guarantee of the outcome in both cases as the first case is extremely time-consuming and the second produces a series of out-of-focus pictures at all possible obscure angles with may be just an odd lucky shot. Therefore, it is crucial for a photographer to strike a balance between the two cases by effectively combining the spontaneous and experimental instinct with a certain degree of time management and quality consciousness.
Apart from planning and creativity, the quality of photographic composition depends on a number of other factors as well, the most important among them being the subject of the photograph. The term subject refers to the elements which are meant to be included in the photograph and this needs to be chosen on the basis of certain parameters like whether the subject is moving and the background and the foreground should be taken into account as well. There are times when the photographic composition might consist of more than one subject and in this case it becomes imperative for the photographer to experiment with various angles and multiple shots in order to acquire the best possible results.
Much of the planning involved in determining photographic composition entails the correct placement of the subject, the arrangement of all the elements in the photograph and deciding on the pose of the main center of interest. As regards to placement, one needs to remember the basics taught in the photography class pertaining to the rule of thirds. Therefore, the best way to make the photograph appear interesting would be to divide the frame into three sections horizontally and vertically and place the elements at the intersection of the lines.
Another important consideration in regard to photographic composition is the light present in the surroundings as well as the amount of light to be permitted when taking photos with a digital camera. An adept photographer needs to be aware of the ways in which the light entering the camera can be controlled as the optimum amount of light is essential for the photographic composition to appear dramatic and detailed. In addition, photographic compositions could feature shadows as well, which can be utilized skillfully by the photographer to create depth and alter the mood of the picture.
Every picture narrates its own story and is important that the photographer is careful when determining the photographic composition. A few guidelines in this respect would be to photograph taller objects in a portrait orientation, longer objects in landscape orientation, and avoid mergers and amputations and keep the distractions to the minimum. In case of a moving object, the photographer should give the impression of the subject moving into the picture rather than moving out of the picture.
Other articles from this category:
[19/07/2010] Holding a Digital Camera
[19/07/2010] Manipulating Exposure in a Digital Camera
[19/07/2010] Significance of Shutter Speed for a Digital Photographer
[19/07/2010] The Art of Taking Great Group Photos
[24/07/2010] Children as a Part of Traveling Photography Collection
[24/07/2010] Understanding Aperture and Shutter Speed in an Entry-level Point and Shoot Digital Camera
[27/07/2010] The Art of Taking Great Group Photos
[28/07/2010] Capturing the Splendor of Fireworks Displays
[28/07/2010] Before Taking a Digital Photograph
[08/11/2010] What to Look for to Take Night Photography
[09/11/2010] Exposure and its implication in photography
[09/11/2010] Don't Get Caught Up in Megapixels
