Power of Composition

 

  Certainly, you can take photo as you like and as it seemed for you better. But have you ever thought how it would looked if you move you camera a little to the left or right, if you would change the placement of objects on the picture? I guess that the picture will not change a lot but it can help you to focus the attention of viewer on some objects, thereby emphasizing them, and move other objects to the background, making them minor. After all, our gaze is not always directed to the center of the picture. So, let us see some examples of composition rules, which could be helpful.

 Rule of Thirds

  Shortly, the idea of this rule is to place the important elements of the scene along one or more of the lines or where they intersect. We have a natural tendency to want to place the main subject in the middle. However, placing it using the Rule of Thirds will more often lead to more attractive composition.

  

  Here, the  photographer placed the horizon roughly along the bottom third of the frame and the closest trees along the right vertical line. The photo would not have the same impact if the larger trees had been placed in center of the picture or righter.

Centered Composition and Symmetry

  Do not forget to break the rules! And let us break the previous one. Sometimes placing an element in the center of frame works very well. Symmetrical scene are perfect for a centered composition.

Likewise, scenes with reflections are great candidate for symmetry in composition. In the next picture, photographer used the combination of the rule of thirds and symmetry. The tree is positioned off-center to the right of the frame but water line provides the symmetry.

Golden Ratio

  Golden Ration is slightly more complicated version of the rule of thirds. The spiral is supposed to lead the eye around the frame and show us how the scene should flow, like invisible leading line. You can see the sketch of it on the picture below. Also it is called as "Fibonacci Spiral".

On the picture below you can see a perfect example of use of the golden ratio. The Fibonacci Spiral leads us from the beginning of the bridge along the steps to the top and then down to the two women sitting next to the bridge.

  I am sure that even once you could took photo of the same view but several times changing the position of camera and angles and see the difference! But knowing such rules, you do not need to make hundreds of shoots and choose the best one. Of course do not forget that there is no unbreakable rules in photographic composition and make your picture unique. 

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