Whether you’re looking to improve your photography skills or just take better pictures, creative composition tips can be very useful. In this article, we’ll cover ten tips to help you think outside the box and make more visually-appealing photos that are sure to stand out from the crowd.
Shoot from the Hip
I know, you hear people say to always look through your viewfinder and never trust your eye alone when taking a picture. But sometimes you’re just too busy or it’s impossible (wedding candids, anyone?). In those cases, don’t get so stuck on finding that perfect shot that you miss everything else happening in front of you. Instead, just point and shoot, keeping in mind that some of your best shots may come from doing exactly that. You can always go back later and try to play around with editing software to make things more polished... but at least now you have some excellent raw material to work with!
Step Away From Your Camera
It's easy to get so caught up in taking pictures that you forget to step back and look at them as a whole. There's no quicker way to learn what works, and more importantly, what doesn't, than to take a moment between shots. By stepping away from your camera, you can view your scene with a fresh perspective (and you'll avoid obstructing your lens by standing too close!). Also try experimenting with different lenses; not only will it help you get more creative photos, but it will keep things interesting for yourself. If you've been using one all summer long, change it up! Move around! Get down low or climb up high!
Look Up
When composing a photograph, you want to make sure that your eye immediately gets drawn somewhere. If it doesn’t, it means that your photo is lacking something interesting or meaningful. You can achieve great compositions in many ways, but one way is to look up. It gives photographers a new perspective and helps them think of creative ways to shoot things from angles you wouldn’t normally see. For example, if there’s a tree in front of you, don’t try to take an upright photo of it; instead, look up at it from ground level and shoot it from an angle so you can catch some interesting details and shapes on branches that normally wouldn’t be visible if you were standing directly underneath it.
Get Closer
To create some really cool photos, you’re going to have to get up close and personal with your subject. Whether you’re taking a picture of a newborn baby or a bustling metropolis skyline, getting closer will help make your subject stand out from its surroundings and bring it into focus in more ways than one. Think about how much harder it is to read these words at arm’s length than when they were on your computer screen; similarly, pictures look best when they emphasize exactly what is important by framing them tightly around that subject. There are several ways to do so, but one of our favorites is with something as simple as a wide-angle lens.
Don’t Hesitate
Good photography doesn’t happen by accident. The best digital photographers are experts at controlling light, managing color, and directing attention—and they do so in ways that feel natural and effortless. In short, they know how to effectively direct their audience’s eyes. Here are ten digital photography tips for creating stunning images with creative composition: 1. Know Your Subject 2. Get Close 3. Use Framing 4. Balance Light 5. Let Lines Lead 6. Work Around Color 7. Go Black & White 8. Rule of Thirds 9. Negative Space
Avoid Center Focus
With your subject in front of you, many of us have a tendency to focus on their face. We do it so much that sometimes we don’t even realize that our picture is actually out of focus. For example, in a portrait, people like to make sure that their subject is looking directly at them, so they’ll ask them to look at them and often take their picture from across the room or farther back. But if you zoom in for a closer shot, there’s no guarantee that your subject will be any sharper; especially when photographing groups or landscapes. The key?
Embrace Negative Space
By embracing negative space (the space around your subject), you can make your subject stand out. Consider cropping out unwanted parts of a photo, or try positioning yourself on an angle to capture more negative space in relation to your subject. If you have multiple subjects, experiment with placing them in different positions within a frame to make sure they’re not bumping into each other—and keep them away from any additional elements that could detract from their appearance (that tree behind them is beautiful, but might get lost if it takes up too much of your composition). You don’t have to be obsessed with eliminating every bit of negative space for a photo to look good; sometimes objects can enhance it if used properly. Just remember that less is more.
Simplify
Don’t aim for perfection. Not only will you never get it, but if you have too many extraneous elements in your photo, it might distract from your true message or idea. If your shot has a lot going on, edit out something. You can always put it back in later! Once you’ve settled on a simple shot, take note of how color and light contrast each other; they can be used to guide viewers towards particular areas of interest. Also think about how lines and angles help direct viewers through a photo—try to lead them down as linear a path as possible before letting them wander wherever they want. Remember: less is more when it comes to composition digital photography!
Vary Shapes, Colors, and Patterns
The rule of thirds is a popular guideline for placing elements within your photos. It's also helpful to play around with color and patterns in your compositions. For example, try layering a flower on top of something bold and bright. The contrast between these two elements will make for an eye-catching photograph. And, don't be afraid to break some composition rules every once in a while! Learn how to experiment by practicing with editing software like Photoshop or GIMP (or even free programs like PicMonkey). You'll quickly see what works and what doesn't—and can build on that knowledge as you continue to hone your skills.
Play With Line Placement
To add interest to your photo, pay attention to where you put your lines. Try leading with a line or frame so that it draws someone’s eye toward an object in the photo, like a building at sunset. This is also referred to as leading lines . In addition, use your lines to create depth by placing them in different parts of your picture. For example, think about drawing a line from one side of a foreground object to another background object; suddenly you’ve made an everyday scene more interesting and compelling. An amateur picture might make use of only one or two solid objects—all too often people take boring photos. Make sure you’re adding depth and complexity when taking pictures so that everyone wants to look at them!
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