It’s all too easy to look at a photograph and think, “I could take that!” Then, you get out there with your camera, point the lens, and click the shutter. You get home and pull up your picture in Adobe Lightroom or GIMP, and then it happens—there’s something off about it, something amateurish that you can’t quite put your finger on. There are a few feelings more frustrating. So, what’s the difference between master photographers and amateurs? The answer is simple — composition.
Mastering the basics
Now, you may be wondering, “What’s composition?” Let’s tackle this first. In photography, “composition” refers to how artists set up the elements within the frame to make a more pleasing whole. It’s the concept of unity. To get the composition right, you first need to know the basics:
- Balance: Are all the objects in your scene of equal weight, size, and importance in your frame? In some photographs, achieving a sense of balance is perfect. In others, intentionally throwing off the balance can be equally impactful.
- Movement: Photographers use lines and shapes to guide the viewer’s eye through the painting, moving from one focal point to the next.
- Rhythm: Patterns, such as those found throughout nature (flowers, ferns, tree branches, butterflies), can create flow or harmony.
- Emphasis: Make sure your photos have a clear emphasis. If the audience doesn’t know where you want their attention, your work can have an unprofessional sense about it. A strong emphasis gives the eye somewhere to rest.
- Contrast: Photographers often take advantage of the power of color and light to make their subjects stand out.
- Repetition: Recurring elements can be used to emphasize unity in your pictures.
- Proportion: Proportion, manipulating the perception of size in relation to other objects, can be used to strengthen your photograph’s theme.
Now, bear in mind that you don’t need to include these elements in every single photograph. Nonetheless, knowing these principles and implementing them where appropriate is key to producing more professional imagery. Once you are familiar with these basic principles, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.
What Are Advanced Techniques?
While you may be familiar with principles such as the rule of thirds, several techniques are often overlooked by amateur and even part-time professional photographers. If you feel your pictures are a little stagnant, use these advanced strategies to take your work from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
1. Negative Space
Cut the distractions. Professional photographers use negative space (the empty space around or between subjects) to control the viewer’s attention, convey powerful emotions, and create a cleaner, sharper picture.
Client: Forever Faith – by Matcha Design
Negative space doesn’t need to be completely empty. Sometimes simply by using light you can create the same feeling of isolation and focus. The objective is to eliminate distractions so that the focal point resonates more deeply with the audience. Sometimes, utilizing negative space can evoke feelings of solitude or tranquility. For example, a lone tree against a vast sky can convey grandeur or isolation, inviting viewers to reflect on the scene’s mood. By cutting out excess clutter, the photograph becomes cleaner and sharper, enhancing its overall aesthetic appeal. Maybe your photos aren’t missing something. Maybe what they need is less, not more.
2. Layer Your Subjects
Photos present a 3-dimensional view of the world at a single moment. Yet, few photographers take advantage of this ability to capture depth. Amateurs tend to take pictures that feel flat, lacking that immersive experience. We’re talking about layering. Break up your image into foreground, midground, and background.
Client: Esperanza Ranch – by Matcha Design
As your eye moves through a photo, you should notice each layer set apart. Professionals use depth of field to divide the layers and make it easy for the viewer to find the focal point. This is the best way to transport the viewer into another world and create a memorable viewing experience.
3. Use Clear Lines
Strong lines are highly effective tools for adding energy and direction to your images. They act as visual guides, directing the viewer’s eye toward focal points and creating a sense of movement within the frame. Whether through natural elements like pathways, rivers, or architectural features, clear lines establish structure and flow, leading the audience deeper into the photograph.
Construction Site in Hong Kong – by Matcha Design
Lines can evoke various emotions; for instance, horizontal lines often convey tranquility, while diagonal lines introduce energy and dynamism. By strategically incorporating these shapes, photographers can build depth and perspective, making the composition feel more immersive. Lines can also be used to create a sense of balance and harmony, aligning with the principles of composition to unify disparate elements within an image.
Client: Enterprise – by Matcha Design
Lines can also be formed by posing figures within your frame. For instance, by having two people pointing at an object, you can guide the viewer’s eyes through the painting using their arms and hands. The arrangement of figures can also establish emotional connections or tell a story. For example, if the two people are engaged in a moment of wonder or discussion as they point, it can evoke curiosity in the viewer, prompting them to explore the context behind the object.
4. Follow the Principles of Color Theory
Colors are powerful tools for shaping the mood of your picture. Understanding color theory is one of the masters’ secrets to evoking specific emotions.
Client: Patriot Golf Club – by Matcha Design
Pictures often work well when the photographer focuses on complementary colors. “Complementary colors” are any colors that are on the opposite sides of the color wheel. What’s the color wheel? It’s a wheel of colors that breaks down the different shades of the spectrum into a full circle. Complementary colors are high-contrast combinations that are pleasing to the eye and perfect for attracting the viewer’s attention. Analogous colors, in contrast, are those that sit next to each other on the color wheel. A combination of red and red-orange would be an example of an analogous color set.
Be aware of color temperature as well. Warmer tones (those that lead in the orange or red direction) tend to convey feelings of energy, passion, or excitement. Cooler hues tend to be calmer and more thoughtful.
Give Your Photos the Polish They Deserve
To be a photographer, you only need a camera and a dream, right? Not so fast. To turn what you have in your head and heart into a reality, you’ll need practice and experimentation. If you’re an amateur looking to move to the professional world, start by mastering both the basics of composition and the advanced techniques we’ve covered today. It can take years to refine your craft. However, by getting started on the right foot, you can quickly increase the quality and professionalism of your photographs.
