Composition for Digital Photography or Film.

After all, photography basics are basics regardless of the camera model.

Before we take a look at the composition within these photos a brief explanation about this topic.

Do you understand the term "rule of thirds?"

Rule of thirds is really about guidelines for composition for digital photography.

Paying attention to these guidelines will be helpful as you learn how to take better pictures.

Some photographers refer to the rule of thirds as a grid. In fact, you may even have a "grid" option within your film or digital camera settings.

Composition is basically your picture divided into nine squares. If you were to draw two vertical parallel lines and then draw two horizontal parallel lines, through the vertical lines, you have the grid.

You will end up with nine equal squares with three each across the top, center and bottom. Plus, these three sets will run from top to bottom going left to right, or right to left, it makes no difference.

What to do within these squares?

Use them as guidelines to place your subject.

What if you have a large subject such as landscapes, like this one?

Using the guidelines or rule of thirds grid.

Do you see how the sky is filling two thirds of the picture, the crop just one third?

When you have a scene such as this decide where you want the emphasis, is it the sky or the crop? Then, place the feature in the two thirds area.

This means your horizon line will not be placed through the center of the scene.

In this example of composition for digital photography the emphasis is on the sky.

However, note how there's enough of the crop to anchor, or balance,the scene, so to speak.

When you utilize the grid subjects are generally placed off center top to bottom and left to right.

What does off center mean?

Generally, stay out of the center with anything and especially if it's a small subject.

Composition for digital photography tip.

With smaller subjects give them somewhere to go. Meaning give them room to move through the picture if you will.

Would you agree this damselfly has "no room to move" meaning it's jammed up against the left edge?

Now imagine it in the same place but facing the other way.

This will create all kinds of room, right?

Here's another example.

Let's pretend you're walking down a trail and a bird lands on a tree branch ahead of you. If the bird is looking to your left attempt to frame from the right hand side in your grid, with the bird still looking left.

This gives it space in the picture.

How many times have you taken a photo or seen ones with the subject smack dab in the middle? Horizon lines dividing the scene right in half is another common one. We've all done it, no doubt!

If you take some time to pay attention to the rule of thirds I'm sure you'll notice a difference.

Also, the setting sun is so close to smack dab in the center of the picture.

This bird looking to your left is the example of giving the subject somewhere to go.

However, it is very much in the center, too.

Composing more to the right side in the photograph would be more optimum.

This is also an example of what can happen when you're feeling rushed to capture the subject.

It's amazing how easy it is to forget all about composition guidelines!

The problem can be solved, if time permits, by slowing down and thinking about composition for any subsequent photos.

Over time you will begin to develope great intuition for paying attention to composition.

With the bird photo did you notice how the background is bit out of focus, which helps soften and diminish distractions? This has to do with aperture and depth of field.

Composition for digital photography tips. What else can you do?

Frame it.

However, the mountain scene doesn't quite work, does it, as as the framing isn't quite so complimentary?

One reason is because you can wander past the trees to the right of the lake and get somewhat lost over there.

The use of framing is to help lead the viewer's eyes in to the picture rather than all over the place.

In the left image did you notice there is really no where to look but in between the frame of those two "framing" trees?

You can use leading lines.

Leading lines will definitely help strengthen your composition for digital photography.

Leading lines are another way to draw your viewer in to your scene.



Once you looked at the "chicken house" did you find yourself wandering down the path to the back of the scene?

This is how you can make leading lines work for you.

Change your position to create new and interesting composition for digital photography.

Fill the frame.

In other words, get in close and fill your frame with the subject.

I'm sure you know what the subject is plus there's no background distraction either.

How many photos have you taken or seen, when you really think about it, that are filled with "clutter?"

At first it may not seem like such a big deal and besides, if you're not sure, how can you tell?

For a few additional composition tips you may wish to check out the page take better digital pictures.

Sometimes it's a case of experimenting to find how much of the scene is enough for your preference and how much is too much.

However, keeping your desired result in mind will elevate you to being a better photographer.

In other words, remembering to ask yourself, what is my subject?

And then being confident enough to answer, "it doesn't have to be everything, so what is it?"

As you learn about photography techniques it may seem as though there is a lot to think about and there can be!

As you begin practicing composition for digital photography you may find it helpful to go and look at photos you took a few years ago.

For my son's wedding last year a relative asked me for some "growing up" photos for a slide show.

I couldn't believe what I noticed as I sat there just shaking my head in amazement!

The majority of photos displayed the subject smack dab in the middle and stuff all over the place.

I was as consistent with that as I was enthused but that being said I go back to a common belief; the most important tip is to get the shot and go for improvement as time and practice permits.

Photography tip.

If your pictures look a little fuzzy it will be worth your while to consider how you're holding your camera.

Often times photographers think their picture is out of focus when the real culprit is camera shake.

Other topics and beginning photography tips which may interest you may found by using the Index Photography link below.

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