Composition & Perspective in photography. Correct techniques for excellent photos

We live in three-dimensional world and transferring this 3D world to the plane image means cutting off our reality! You can not show the real world correctly if you do not obey certain rules. You need to have knowledge of the laws of the Composition in photography, otherwise your photography hobby will be only meaningless pushing the shutter button and your photos will not be interesting for anyone.

In order to make beautiful, bright, colourful, memorisable photos, you need to know laws of the Composition, which came to us from painting. In addition to this, Composition in photography has its own tips and tricks. We will discuss all of this further in this article.

Advice.

Composition laws must be obeyed, but without fanaticism! Sometimes you may even breach them in order to get shots that are very different from one another.

Common sense of the good composed photo is when we looking at it with easiness and pleasure. We see logical connection between objects in the still and we like it! But, from the other point of view, sometimes photographer must break the rules of composition, in order to tell us about his creative idea and make us surprised!

Subject centre and balance in the image.

Every good photography must have some main object. For the sake of this main object photographer climbs to the top of the highest mountain, goes underwater, or travels to safari, or maybe just get relaxed at the friend’s BBQ and made a few shots. You may think about anything to be a centre of the image.

In order to shoot good image you need to find that centre of the main object. Then, you need to emphasize in your mind what is the most interesting for you. Maybe for the first time it will be difficult for you to pick up main centre and you will need to work out, using your imagination and looking around. But after some time of such training you will find interesting plots straight away.

You may also use “rule of the thirds”. This method almost always lets you achieve the success.

Meaning of this rule in the following:

Space of the still is divided by two horizontal and two vertical lines for equal parts. From the three horizontal and three vertical strips you get some sort of the grid with the points of intersection of those lines. If you place main important parts of your photo, for instance, line of the horizon, along any of the horizontal lines – you create the base for photo to be balanced. If you place your main object centre in one of the points of the intersection between vertical and horizontal lines – you will have competent and well balanced frame as a whole.

All minor lines must “lead” your look to the centre of the main object. Minor lines here are not only real lines, but also sequence of the objects or details located one after another. It is very good, if main object of shooting stands out from the background by its contrast or light colours. If it is not the case – there is high possibility that viewer will find difficult to figure out – what is important on your photo, and your photo will be considered unreasonable and casual.

Also balance of the image and “weight” of the separate objects on the image is very important. Even objects’ colours have an effect on the objects themselves. For example, red colour and its hues are heavier, than blue; and bright colours heavier than dark colours.

Background objects must not prevent you from seeing the main centre. If your main object is dark, you need to choose lighter background and vice versa. And don’t forget about exposure corrections.

If photographer needs to change image composition, he can do this in few ways:

► choosing certain camera angle;

► choosing exposure correction;

► cropping;

► choosing right time to press shutter button;

► changing focal distance;

► choosing between portrait or landscape option;

► producing;

► using diagonals:

setting your main object matter on a diagonal will almost always make your photo more dynamic, move around the object and look for a diagonal with other objects in foreground or background.

How to choose the background.

Choosing the background is the one of the most important task in photography. You need to choose background in order to feel depth and perspective of the image.

Try to choose not very bright and many-coloured background, and pay attention to its illumination. If your main object located in the shade, don’t pick up for the background sunlit areas. It is better if background areas are bit darker, than the main object. Try to imagine and plan your composition, because you will shoot not only main object and closest background, but also objects located further and further to horizon. Pay attention to all lines which intersect each other and all background objects. Everything must be logically smooth, of course if you don’t want to make something funny or surrealistic.

Types of the Perspective in photography.

► Hue perspective – when objects, located further and further down at the background are slowly losing their colour and hue depth and seem melting away in distance.

► Linear perspective – when minor lines come together at the horizon and lead your look from foreground to the background and we can concentrate our attention on the important objects at the background.

► Pattern or rhythm– when there are similar objects on the still and they are gradually decreasing while moving away from point of the shooting.

► Foreground – when photographer places some objects at the foreground in order to make 3D depth to the picture as a whole.

If you make photos early morning hours, you may use this trick to help you make feeling of the depth and space in your photo – you may use haze – it will help you separate darker foreground and lighter background.

One of the most important aspect in photography – it is the “key moment”; it is, when you press the shutter button at the most significant moment!

And I may tell you from my experience that you may be waiting for this special moment for quite a long period of time.

But this is what separates professional photographers with their patience and mastery, and amateurs, who prefer just point and shoot! So, if you want to make really interesting photos, you need to learn, how to be patient and watch closely how the situation is developing and always be ready to press the shutter button!

How to select the right camera. Advices of the professional

Photographers have been asked very often the same question: “Which camera should I buy? And which camera is right for me?” And to my deepest regret, we do not have a single meaning answer to this simple question! For the beginning, you must clarify for yourself and answer these questions first:

1. Why do I want to buy a camera?
2. What do I want to make photos of?
3. What will I shoot in reality?

Only and only after answering these questions honestly, you may start selecting the camera in a meaningful way!

If you want only to upload “photos” into your computer and share with your friends via Internet – you will need one type of the camera, and it is very different thing, if you want to set this business up seriously, and make “photography”!


Algorithm of selection.

I suggest algorithm of selection the appropriate camera for your needs outlined below. These steps were tested many times by me and my friends and you may use it for every type of equipment. It is marketing investigation in essence.


1. The first step in this process and the most important one is – you think over thoroughly what the purpose of buying specific camera is and what kind of photos you want to shoot, what to shoot and – ATTENTION! – How often you will make photos!
Category of the camera you need to buy depends on the frequency of utilization!

Amateurs, who make photos from time to time, during holidays, for example, and making fewer than 400 shots per year, may easily find camera of their dream in the category of budget cameras.

2. The second step, and not less important. You have to determine what sum of money you are ready to spend for the camera, without making your family budget empty! And you need not exceed limits of this amount of money.

3. The third step, probably will take some of your precious time, but it will allow you to get irrefragable information and make the right decision. This step is all about gathering information. You may find tons of information on Internet these days about technical features of particular cameras you want. So, go to the websites and find camera, keep in mind amount of money you are allowed to spend. You need to pick up few cameras in approximately the same price range. You will need to compare them with one another. Some websites have the option of comparison – you definitely need to use this option! At the same time you need to find out more information about chosen cameras. So, go to the forum sites, chat sites and look for information that was left by people, who already used those cameras: you will find all comparable features, cameras PRO’S and CON’S, all capabilities. You may find not only opinions and judgements about cameras you chose, but also samples of photos, made, using those cameras.

The more information in Internet you will find – the easier choice for you to make which camera to buy. And you also may consider the option buying camera, using eCommerce, for example from US biggest retailer of the still cameras and camcorders www.bhphotovideo.com This option also will save you great amount of money!

Finally, we have got a clear idea and opted for two or three cameras from different company – manufacturers. But don’t run to the nearest shop or buy camera from Internet, yet! Here are few more questions you need to take under consideration. In my opinion, you have to make your priority to buy camera from:

- well-known manufacturer;
- with lenses with variable focal length (zoom);
- with variable angle LCD (for compact cameras);
- with flash, which has few shooting modes;
- with possibility of Spot AE Point mode;
- with handy and widely distributed power supplies.

Also, you must feel comfortable when you have camera in your hand.

4. The fourth step – it is actually making your decision and choice!
Just make a decision and opt certain model of the camera, being armed with all your knowledge and having deep understanding for what and why you have decided to buy exactly this model of the camera.

Notice

1. Some cameras may have shown minimal distance to the object of photography – it is useful when you will do MACRO shots.

2. Cameras with variable-angle LCD screen allow you to make photos from high or low angles such as at the eye-level of children or over the crowd at a concert.


If you make only photos of your family and your budget doesn’t allow you to buy expensive camera – digital compact cameras are your choice, like, for example:

SONY CYBER-SHOT range:
- DSCS930
- DSCS950
- DSCS980;

OLYMPUS range:
- FE - 370
- SP – 565UZ
- FE – 45

CANON PowerShot range:
- SX110 IS
- A2000 IS
- A1000 IS
- A1100 IS
- A2100 IS,

NIKON Coolpix range:
- P6000
- S710
- P5100

After some time, when you have got involved in creative photography, and you don’t like just point and shoot meaninglessly, maybe you will be able to choose DSLR with not very expensive set of lenses.

Later, you may change your not-expensive lenses for higher-quality lenses.

Another thing to consider is quality and uniqueness of your photos! It is true, that quality of your photos depends on quality of your camera, but the main thing is – it is you, who makes these photos. And you need to know how to shoot correctly. You need to know at least basics of composition, how to hold your camera and how to press shutter button! Your camera – it is only high - quality object, but it is you, who make those photos!

Advice

Finally, you have made a choice and bought camera, spent sound amount of money and you are happy because of your good photos. And to continue enjoying this, you must do service for your camera, in order to avoid some malfunctions.
There are special service packs for your camera in the photo shops. You need to buy one of them, don’t be afraid of spending some money for this! It is not a big amount! After buying one of those service packs, do service, time to time wiping camera’s lenses. Don’t do service, using your handkerchief or your clothing!

I hope after reading this article you have clearer understanding about which camera to buy! So, be involved in the world of wonders of creative photography!