9 Tips for Composing a Photograph

The desire to capture something beautiful, something unusual, something extraordinary or even the ordinary to keep it within reach is an emotion that many people go through.

And quite often, this emotion leads an individual to the path of photography.

They venture into the passion of photography to capture their subject of fascination in the confines of a photograph.  

And to be able to capture it perfectly, they need to master the art of photography.

If you’re someone who’s looking for tips for composing a photograph for beginners or someone who’s been around the circuit for a while, you have landed at the right page.

You can use the following tips for perfect photography composition—    

1. Framing in photography.

In photography, framing is a photo composition technique wherein various elements at a location or a scene are used to form a frame around the main object or subject that is being photographed.

The elements used to create a frame can be artificial (pillars, arches, doorways etc.) or natural (trees, sea waves, branches etc.).    

Framing is quite useful in directing the viewer’s attention to the subject of the photograph. It is also useful in adding depth to a photo.

In addition to this, framing can be a good tool if you want your photograph to tell a story.

Though framing is one of the most basic photography composition techniques, it is also a very important one.  

2. Symmetry in photography.

When a photo looks harmonious and visually balanced, it is because the photographer used symmetry— a photography composition rule.

A photograph where the elements are symmetrical can create a sense of peace and order. Hence, viewers are naturally drawn to photos using symmetry.

While using symmetry in photography, the elements in a scene mirror each other. This mirroring can be vertical, horizontal or radial.

Symmetry photo composition examples- slicing an orange right at the middle and photographing the two sides by placing them side by side, taking a photo of a woman by placing her in front of a mirror and clicking her as well as her reflection at the same time.                  

3. Leading lines in photography.

In photography, leading lines are used to lead the viewer’s attention to the subject of the photograph. It also helps in creating depth in a photo.

Leading lines can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved or straight. Leading lines are of two types— artificial (buildings, fences, roads, pillars etc.) and natural (trees, paths, rivers etc.).

Using leading lines in photography can also make the pictures more appealing and interesting.

4. Filling the frame in photography.

When it comes to photography composition tips, ‘filling the frame’ is one that is vastly underutilised.

When the subject of a photograph takes up most or all of the space in a photo, without leaving any space for secondary objects or clutter, the technique is called filling the frame.

If you want to remove distractions or create a powerful photograph, then filling the frame is a rule of composition you can use.

Filling the frame is especially handy while shooting portraits. It helps you in capturing certain features such as the texture of the hair and the details of the eyes.      

5. Negative space in photography.

In the field of photography, negative space denotes the empty space that surrounds the main subject of a photo.

It is that space within a photograph that doesn’t have any crucial element. Simply put, negative space is the opposite of filling the frame.

Using the technique of ‘negative space’ in a picture helps the photographer to define and put emphasis in the positive space— which is the subject itself.

If you have been looking for the best composition tips for powerful photography, then this is it. The use of the ‘negative space’ technique, can create artistic and impactful photos.            

     
6. Depth of field in photography.

In a photo, other than the subject itself, certain other areas are kept in focus as well.

Depth of field signifies the areas (usually in front of or behind the subject) where objects appear to be acceptably in focus.

DoF (depth of field) helps in deciding how much of space in a photo needs to be in focus and how much needs to be blurred.

Sensor size, focal length, aperture and subject distance can assist in achieving the perfect depth of field while photographing.

You can use ‘depth of field’ as a compositional technique to improve your photographs.      

7. Use of shadows in photography.

In order to make good use of shadows in photography, you need to gain an understanding of the whole play of lights and shadows.

Before clicking a photo, you need to identify the direction from where the light is coming. Then you need to think about the ways that you can use it to your advantage.

Depending on methods of execution, proper use of shadows could help you add some drama or mystery to your photos.

Different types of shadows can be used to create texture, dimension and depth in your pictures. They are also useful in taking the viewer’s attention to a particular direction.

For a better grasp of things, you would need to learn about the various types of shadows in photography.      

Shadows are being used to create a dreamy effect in the photo given below.      

8. Patterns and repetition in photography.

Amongst all the types of composition in photography, patterns and repetition are often overlooked.

However, if employed correctly, use of patterns and repetition can be one of the best tips for good composition of a photo.

Patterns are something that can be found everywhere, we just need to be aware of its existence.

The tiles of a kitchen, the rungs of a ladder, the bricks of a wall, etc. are things that are seen in our daily life, and mostly ignored.

But with a little bit of imagination, these objects can be used to create photos with intriguing patterns.

Repetition in photography involves repeating the same (or similar objects) multiple times within a frame to create the desired effect.

A photographer can use similar lines, colours, shapes, textures and objects to incorporate repetition in their photos.

Examples of repetition- rows of trees, rows of chimneys, rows of windmills, arches in a line, pillars in a line etc.

Photos with patterns and repetition are not only interesting and creative but are also able to strike a chord with the viewer positively.      

9. Using contrast in photography.

In simple terms, contrast is the difference in brightness or in color of the various elements in a photo. These are called tonal contrast and colour contrast respectively.

But according to the photography composition guidelines, use of contrast can be reflected in other aspects of a photo as well.

Contrast can be used in the shapes in a photo. It can also be used in the textures portrayed within a frame.

Then there is something called conceptual contrast. It is the idea where two contradictory factors are put together.

For example— natural and artificial objects in the same photo, old and new items in the same photo, etc.

Using the above-mentioned composition tips for better photos would help you create photographs that catch the viewer’s eye.