Composition Basics

Mahlon Stacymy.photoshelter.com/mahlonstacy

There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good

photographs

Ansel Adams

Simple rules

• Background & Foreground• Rule of Thirds (aka The Golden Ratio)• Lines• Curves• Framing

Background & Foreground

• Background is the foundation• Consider the background first• Simplicity yields better photos

Background – yechhh!

Background OK

Rule of Thirds

• Having your main subject off center generally yields more interesting photos

• Divide the image into 9 equal parts• Place elements along lines or at

interesections

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Lines & Curves

• Vertical lines create tension• Horizontal lines create peace• Diagonal lines are dynamic… they draw the

eye into the image• S-curves are graceful… they draw attention

Vertical Lines

Horizontal Lines

Diagonal Lines

Diagonal Lines

Diagonal Lines

S Curves

S Curves

S Curves

Framing

• Adding a frame adds depth to an image• Additional interest when frame associates

with elements

Framing

Framing

Framing

References

• Mastering Landscape Photography Alan Briot• Working the Light: A Landscape Photography Masterclass

Joe Cornish, Cherlie Waite, David Ward, Eddie Ephraums• Taking your photography to the Next Level George Barr• http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/

guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition.html

What I use

• Nikon D80• 18-135mm kit lens• 70-300mm VR Zoom• 50mm f1.8 E Series• SB600 Speedlight• Panasonic FZ30• Circular Polarizers• ND Filters

• PS Elements 7• Premiere Elements 7• Adobe Lightroom• Epson R340• Epson 1900• Photoshelter web site