2.2: Good composition of photos

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A: General rules

There are several rules for taking a good picture. We will talk about three rules that will help you produce noticeably better photos using digital cameras.

Rule one

First, fill the frame with your subject. Especially when you are taking a picture of people, it is better to focus on the subject. The subject in the picture on the left is too small to recognize. The photo on the right is zoomed in, making her the focus. You don’t need to take a picture of the whole body. Stand close to your subject or use the zoom function of your camera.

Rule two

Second, change your camera position. Even though it is the same subject, you can get a more unique photo depending on your camera position or angle. The title of the picture on the right is “traditional line.” The photographer emphasized the line of old houses by moving the camera position instead of taking a picture of the whole house

Rule three

Third, use the rule of thirds. Golden Section, which is also called golden ratio, is the most important rule for any artists or architects. This proportional relationship asserts a natural balance and dynamic symmetry. A popular guideline used by photographers is called the “Rule of thirds." When composing a photo, you should try to place important elements at the crossing point that the imaginary lines dividing the image into three parts both horizontally and vertically are meeting.

TIP: How to use the rule of thirds

Drawing imaginary lines dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. There are four crossing points as follows. You can place important elements an the intersecting points of the imaginary lines. The image on the right is emphasizing the sea placing the AB line and the person placing the C point. ▪ Photos using the rule of thirds give us a feeling of stability.

B: Various compositions

We have talked about the significant rule of composition, the rule of thirds. Although there are basic rules of composition, the composition of photos is very subjective. You can make innovative composition considering basic compositions. Let’s look through some basic compositions.