Composition is how the photographer arranges the elements within the frame. Composition along with focus helps direct the viewer’s eyes to the main subject of your image.
There are many ways to compose a pleasing image. Since these posts are tailored to non-professionals who primarily shoot with cell phones, I will address two that are highly endorsed and easy to master.
Rule of Thirds
In the first blog post on cell phone flower photography I mentioned turning on the grid in your camera settings. When you do this you are immediately ready to compose your image using the rule of thirds.
The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline that places your subject on one of the four intersections of the grid or along one of the lines. Use the grid on your phone to help you place your subject.
When photographing a landscape it is particularly important to compose the image so the horizon line is not in the center. Set the horizon line on either the top or bottom third of the grid. Also be very careful to confirm that your horizon line is straight.
This doesn’t mean you can’t ever center your subject, just be very sure that it is a conscious compositional decision and that the subject is truly centered.
When I took this photo at Oak Park in Montgomery AL I loved the way the light was coming through this majestic tree. I tried several compositions and ultimately decided the best way to communicate my vision for the image was with a centered composition.
Leading Lines
Leading lines are lines in a photograph that direct the viewer’s attention. These lines frequently guide the viewer’s attention in a specific direction or to a specific area of the shot. In American culture this is most effective when the lines are leading left to right. These lines can be organic or man-made.
A Note on Point of View
Point of view in photography is the position the camera is in when capturing the image. Think beyond the standard point of view you get when you stand up and take a photo. This is the point of view most people see on a regular basis and are, therefore, not readily enticed by the image. Try to find an unexpected point of view to capture the attention of your viewer and cause them to linger. Get down low and shoot up on your subject. Or get up high and shoot down.
If you’ve followed along with the previous posts on settings, focus, and exposure you’re well on your way to improving your flower photography. The deadline for the 2023 Flower Show Photography for the Alabama National Fair is September 9 so start taking those images now and selecting your favorites. In the next post I’ll address editing in the cell phone and the final will offer tips on printing.