Principles of Composition

The PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION are the rules of grammar of the visual language of photography.  The PRINCIPLES organize the visual elements into a pleasing and comprehensible whole.  This organization is called COMPOSITION.  Our first response to a composition is to perceive it as a whole.  This response is subjective.  Strong images feature many of these PRINCIPLES and/or emphasize a few.

UNITY is the quality of cohesion that makes an image feel complete or whole. Photographers achieve unity by using consistent methods to reveal the meaning, purpose, and/or the intention of their images.  Distinctive ways of creating unity are often identified as artistic styles.

BALANCE refers to the distribution of visual weight in an image. "Empty" areas should not appear to be blank. Instead, they should represent void, or negative space.  Likewise, positive shapes and forms should not appear to be too crowded, heavy, or busy. Balanced images may suggest motion, but it should not appear to be so unstable as if to suggest it would hang crooked.

MOVEMENT or visual movement is used by photographers to direct the scanning behavior of the eye along a circuit or path within an image. This circuit leads the viewer to areas of visual interest, focus, and/or emphasis.  Motion is suggested by the action line of the subject in an image. The action line moves in the apparent direction that the subject is moving or looking.

RHYTHM is the sequencing or repetition of visual movement presented by the composition of visual elements: colors, shapes, lines, tones, forms, and textures. Variation and contrast keep rhythm interesting and dynamic.

FOCUS is the emphasized form or area which draws attention and reveals the subject, central idea, or theme of an image. Emphasis is often achieved by using rhythm and movement to lead the eye to an element that is unique, or has a contrasting tones, shapes, sizes, or colors. Focus and contrast are the same principles as emphasis and variety. In photography, selective focus can be optically achieved with our lens.

CONTRAST is the organized interplay of visual differences which provides variety and stimulates visual movement. Contrast refreshes the eye and enables the viewer to better perceive and evaluate the relationships between the visual elements.

PATTERN is a system of elements which creates a recognizable sequence of repetition. Pattern may also be thought of as the underlying structure, concept, or plan, that organizes the image. Nature is full of natural patterns.

PROPORTION refers to relationships of size and form between the whole and it's parts. Although proportion can often be mathematically measured and described, it can also be compared to one's expectations of natural or ideal form. Proportion is usually related to size and scale. Proportion often influences the emphasis of an image, and our sense of space.

Composition reflects intention. By knowing and applying or choosing to break these PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION you can capture better images. While a lot of thing can be easily corrected in today's digital world in post production, composition generally cannot. Outside of cropping, you are stuck with what you captured when you snapped the shutter. Good compositions can be manipulated to become better and bad compositions will never improve to a point of becoming good.

Two Finalist in the Latest Outdoor Photographer Photo Contest

You have until May 18th to vote for my two entries in the latest Outdoor Photographer Magazine's 2nd Annual Great Outdoors Photo Contest.  This is the first time I have had two entries make it into the pool of Finalists for an Outdoor Photographer Photo Contest. It is tough enough to just get one, so I am honored to have two. You vote by assigning stars to each photograph, with 5-stars being the best.  Please vote!

 

Please go to both pages below and cast your 5-star vote.  Thank you for voting!

1. http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/photo-contests/2nd-annual-the-great-outdoors/finalists/412231-inky-waters.html#gal-img
2. http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/photo-contests/2nd-annual-the-great-outdoors/finalists/412131-pipeline.html#gal-img

Elements of Composition - Part II

This is a continuation of my Elements of Composition discussion--Part I of this entry was posted on February 24, 2011. In Part I, I discussed the first six of twelve elements of composition and I continue that discussion with the second six elements.

1. PRINT PRESENTATION - The image should be able to stand on its own. Ask your self, "Would I hang this image on my wall?" If not, you need to find another subject, better light, more elements of composition, etc. to move your answer to yes. Not to say you should not take a shot that you won't hang on your wall, as there are many reasons to do so. I often take what I call documentary shots or snap shots as a means of noting a location that I plan to return to in more favorable conditions.
2. CENTER OF INTEREST - This is where the photographer wants the viewer to concentrate the eye. You will use many of the elements of composition discussed here to help the viewer move through your image and land on and stick to your center of interest. That interest may or may not be a specific subject within your composition but it may be the light, a pattern or color of the image.  All can be strong centers of interest and every thing you do should direct the view to this center.
3. SUBJECT MATTER - Is your subject clean and distinct? What you exclude from your image maybe just as important as what you include. Keep it simple and do not include conflicting subjects. The simpler the scene the easier it is for the viewer to see your subject. A shallow depth of field is often used to isolate the subject in a scene.
4. COLOR BALANCE - does the image accurately reflect the colors you saw when you snapped the shutter? Good harmony between colors will enhance your image.  An orange sun against a blue sky adds a warm/cool color contrast which appears to darken the blue sky and intensify the orange glow of the sun.  This is no accident as these colors are exact opposites (complementary) on the color wheel as are green/red and yellow/violet combinations. If your image includes a person, their skin tone should be the focus of your color balance efforts. People know what good skin tone looks like and when its off its an immediate distraction.
5. TECHNIQUE - or the approach used to create the image.  Were the art principles adhered to when creating your composition.  You must first know the rules of good composition if you plan to break them and succeed. In most cases breaking the rules results in a less desirable composition, but their are occasions where a better image can be created by breaking one or more of these rules.  A good example of this may be a reflection where you place your horizon line across the center of the image to emphasis the symmetry of the scene.
6. STORYTELLING - is your images' ability to evoke the viewer's imagination. Flowing water is often shot at slow shutter speeds to evoke a sense of motion. The viewer can easily imagine water running through a stream or down a water fall and evoke the imagination into hearing what the scene may have sounded like. If a picture is worth a thousand words, what words do you want your viewer to hear?

Put these element to work for you in your photography and you will be pleasantly surprised at their ability to enhance your imagery. Again, I hope you found this information useful and I encourage you to leave your comments below. Also, should you have suggestions on future discussion topics, please feel free to leave those in the comments as well.

Elements of Photography Series - Composition

ELEMENTS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
A new topic for me, I will begin with this entry, to discuss photography topics that will make you a better photographer, I call it my Elements of Photography Series and I kick the Series off with Elements of Composition. Please keep in mind that my focus in on landscape and wildlife photography, but many of the topics I discuss in this Series will be applicable to all types of photography.

ELEMENTS OF COMPOSITION - Part I
What is composition? For a photographer, composition can be defined as the careful placement and arrangement of all elements in an image that matter. I have complied a list of twelve elements that matter or that should matter when you snap the shutter. I will discuss the first six in this blog entry and the next six in my next blog entry. It would be rare for an image to have all of these elements, but the more elements you can include the stronger your composition will be and you will be well on your way to taking better photos.

A highlighted and underlined word or set of words in my text below indicates a hyperlink to a image or document that supports the concept under discussion. Simply click on these links to be taken to the web page and view the image or document as it will open in its own window. Close the window and continue reading when finished.

1. IMPACT - or engaging subject matter--does the image "WOW" the viewer. I have on several occasions stood at the edge of Horseshoe Bend just south of Page, Arizona photographing this bend in the Colorado River and it never fails that each and every person that approaches this viewpoint lets out a "WOW" as they peer over the edge into the canyon and river below. This "WOW" factor is hard to find, but you know when you have found it by listen to those at the location or listening to those who view your image.
2. CREATIVITY - does your image standout from other images on the same subject. Anyone can drive up to Tunnel View in Yosemite Valley, hop out of the car and snap a nice image. This is known as an iconic location made famous by others who came before you. While there is nothing wrong with taking an iconic shot, it should not be the only shot you take. In this location what is likely to make your capture different from the others is your timing and what is happening with the light and the weather. You should also look to shoot from different perspectives from higher or lower vantage points. Night shots with star trails or moon phases will be less photographed than daylight images at an iconic location. Try zooming in and isolating a portion of the view or take multiple images for a panorama.
3. TECHNICAL - are all the camera settings technically correct when you press the shutter button. Knowing what all the buttons, switches and menu settings do on your camera and when best to implement them will go a long way to ensuring your composition stands out. Exposure and color balance must be accurate, dynamic range should not be compromised and your subject should be in sharp focus if that is your intent.
4. SUBJECT PLACEMENT - where you place your subject will go a long way to strengthening your composition. Probably the best know rule here is the Rule of Thirds, which dictates your subject placement along the lines drawn if you where to divide your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. And where these lines intersect are your strongest areas of subject placement. Also look for framing or leading lines that draw your viewer into the frame or patterns, rhythm, or symmetry should you not have an isolatible subject. Avoid placing your subject in the dead center as this is almost always the worst possible place for it in most cases. In the case of scenic landscapes I also like to see some depth introduced by having a distinct foreground, middle-ground and background around the subject as an attempt to create a more three dimensional capture by juxtaposing the near to far relationship.
5. LIGHTING - type of light and direction of light. The best light brings out the texture and detail in our images. It is often found in the golden hour that 30 minutes before and after sunrise or sunset. What makes this light so good? When the light source is low on the horizon it can give your image depth and dimension and we come closest to conveying three-dimensionality in our two-dimensional image. Also since the light hitting our subject is now further away it becomes softer as it must now pass thought more atmospheric dust and is filtered down to mostly longer wave lengths at the red (or golden) end of the visible spectrum. This reduces the dynamic range of the light and allows a camera to capture the entire range of light in a single frame. Direction of the light is also a key component to how your subject stands out or not. Front, side or back lighting all have a place in how best to illuminate your subject. Physically move yourself into several positions to determine which angle works best for your particular subject.
6. STYLE - a photographer's individual way of capturing an image. Most photographers do not know what their style is or how to create a style. Ask others who have seen a large body of your work to articulate what they think may be your style. The more people you ask the quicker you will get confirmation and be able to hone in on accentuating this quality that makes your compositions unique. You can now pay close attention to this attribute/s when composing future captures. What would you say is my style?

That concludes this installment for now, be sure to check back in a few week for the final six Element of Composition. I hope you found this information useful and I encourage you to leave your comments below. Also, should you have suggestions on future discussion topics, please feel free to leave those in the comments as well.

Top 15 Images Comprise Best of 2010 Gallery

The votes are in and the winners have been posted in my Best of 2010 Gallery. Thanks to all of you who voted, I was surprised to see so many participate in the voting. You voted for your favorite 10 images out of a select field of 50 finalists. As a result, I had a number of images tied with the same vote count forcing me to increase my top 10 to the top 15 images. Not a problem--they are all winners to me. Thanks again for voting! Click on this link to go to my Best of 2010 Gallery.

Share the Experience

I am honored to have all three of my entries chosen as finalists in the 2010 Share the Experience Official Federal Recreation Lands PHOTO CONTEST. Voting is now underway, you may vote once a day for one photo only, everyday, now through 1/31/2011. By voting you not only help me but you are entered in a sweepstakes drawing for an Olympus Stylus Tough-8010 Camera valued at $400. My three entries shown above from left to right are, Star Gathering, Rolling Sand Dunes, and Sunrise Point. Please vote daily by clicking on the above link. All photos in this blog are copyright © Greg Clure, all rights reserved.

UPDATE: My "Star Gathering" image won the third place prize in this contest, you can check out all the winners on the National Park Foundation 2010 winning enteries page.

Best of 2010

Last year was a productive year for Greg Clure Photography. I was fortunate enough to visit many highly photographic areas of California, Utah and Nevada. I added close to 200 new images to my website galleries but took many thousands more. Now, I have a dilemma. I want to pick my top 10 images of 2010 for my Best of 2010 Gallery. I have narrowed it down to 50 and need your help, or rather your vote, on the top 10 images as you see it. Visit my Best of 2010 Gallery to browse my top 50, then vote by one of the following two ways before January 31, 2011: 1) Simply comment to this posting below with your top 10 picks. In the comment box you only need to indicate the number of the images you have selected, for example; 1, 5, 14, 26, 34, etc. , this number is found on the thumbnails when inside the Best of 2010 Gallery. 2) Visit my Best of 2010 Gallery and add your top 10 picks to the "My Favorites" page by clicking on the "Add To Favorites" button located just above each image. A count will then appear in the upper left-hand corner of the page, just above the logo, indicating the number of images you have placed in your "My Favorites" page. Click on this link to go to your favorites page to review your picks. Once you have finalized your top 10, click on the "Share" button in the upper-right hand corner of the page and e-mail me your picks. Thank you for voting and come back after January 31st to see the winning top 10 images of 2010.