Composition is key

Wow its really been forever since my last post, I apologize. Things have been crazy between working at a ski resort and school (I no longer have the job at Life Touch due to lack of hours). However, since work is now closed that opened up a lot of free time for me to blog a little more.

Today's topic is on composition. This will really help photographers but I am sure a scrapper could apply some of these techniques into their layout ideas.

What is composition you may ask. Well it is how one balances their picture. Remember a old post of mine where I talked about the rules of thirds, that is a composition technique. You should have a strong center of interest in your picture. An idea would be to use the surroundings (like trees, the sky and flowers for example) to help lead the viewer back to your main focal point.

Composition Techniques-
Asymmetrical- informal balance. This is where your picture would have different weights and sizes but it would still flow nicely.
Back Lighting- creating a silhouette like figure. Make sure you have a defined, unique, clear image for your subject. The background should have a nice color too it and should not be busy. Try not to have the sun in the picture. There should be only one light source. To take this type of picture, make sure the lighting is behind your subject (hence back lighting) and your flash is turned off. Focus your cross hares on the background and hold the shutter button half way. Without lifting your finger, move the camera so that the cross hares are on the subject now and press the shutter button all the way down to take the picture. *NOTE: You may want to use a tripod for this shot*
Close up/Fill the frame- getting up close to a subject. Use micro on your camera for any small object you want to get close on. This type of set up would work well with bigger subjects as well. Just be careful when using your digital zoom that your picture doesn't start to get pixelated.
Framing- frame your subject. Again, get creative. Use a doorway, walls, fence, or even maybe a slide.
Front Lighting- basic shot. Front lighting is usually make by using the flash.This is just a type of shot that has the light directly on the front of the subject.
Leading Lines- leads the viewed to the focal point. Be creative with this one. Use stairs, a river, a table, or maybe railings on a bridge to show where your focal point is. It will make the picture much more interesting.
Level horizon- depending on the type of scene depends on what angle you want to shoot the horizon. Calm type shots, like at the beach, you would want a level horizon. Action type shots, like at a sporting event or when shooting an intense moment, you may want to shoot the level at a slant.
Rule of Thirds- naturally occurring in divisions of thirds in a scene. Avoid splitting the picture top to bottom or side to side in half when dividing it up.
Side Lighting- a flattering look to a portrait. Place your subject near a window or open light source. Make sure that there is only one source of light on the subject (natural light works the best). Set the subject up so that the light is only on one side of the subject. *NOTE: Turn your flash off for this picture!*
Symmetrical- formal balance. Another words, if you fold the picture in half it would be the same.