How to Improve Your Photography With Good Photograph Composition

Many people believe that the only qualification needed for taking a good photograph is being able to use the manual controls of their digital camera. However, although this is important, composition is just as essential if not more so. In fact using the auto settings and getting the composition right will result in better quality images. Photograph composition conveys your influence on your photographs and without doubt the most crucial part of creating a good picture is the correct arrangement of the subject and background and yet, the majority of novices and amateurs ignore it.

The basis of good composition is accepting what does and doesn’t belong in a photograph. To some this seems to come naturally while others have to work at it and although the editing process can achieve good composition later it’s more beneficial to be successful when capturing the image in the first place. It’s a lot easier to edit a well-composed photograph.

There are a few guidelines, however, to follow that will help improve the quality of the composition and therefore the quality of the images. Simplicity is probably the first and foremost important rule. Selecting backgrounds that are uncluttered will not transfer attention away from the chosen subject and the most visual treatment should be given to the center of attention in the pictures.

Another good suggestion for better photograph composition is the Rule of Thirds. Basically, this entails dividing the image into thirds, vertically and horizontally and, depending on the subject, place the center of interest on one of the four options where these lines intersect. Compositions using this technique usually turn out more appealing and many digital cameras now include this feature.

For outdoor pictures the time of day can be significant with the colour of the light surrounding the subject further enhancing or detracting from the photograph’s composition with the shadows and light direction becoming part of the construction of the image. Enhance the composition with energy and depth by the use of diagonal lines and patterns. A strong foreground will lead the eye onto the main subject and give the composition perspective and interest.

There are many things that go into making a good photograph and composition, although important, is just one of the elements. However, get the composition right and you will enjoy the results of your photography much more. Keep practising and it will become a habit to give consideration to the composition of any image when taking a photograph.

Author:
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Steps To Create A Nice Panning Shot

If you are new to photography, have you ever wonder how to create a shot where the moving subject is in focus while the background is blurred? Have you ever envy photographers who can produce such images?

This technique is commonly known as Panning and can be achieved easily with sufficient practices. A SLR camera is preferred for panning shots due to its ability to achieve fast response. DSLR is taking up the consumer share quickly with its price being highly competitive as well. DSLR being digital in nature, is very welcomed nowadays especially when people are getting more IT savvy. Images can be downloaded into computers which make adjustment easier as compared to the past. And not to forget, films which is now replaced by memory cards for DSLR makes photography relatively cheaper!

Panning technique is commonly used in sports like motorbike racing, treking, cycling and many more. This technique allow the photographs to tell a story to the viewers. Viewers can easily acknowledge that the subject of interest is in motion and thus making the photograph more attractive and complete, as compared to a freeze moment due to the result of fast shutter speed.

To create a panning shot, you would need a subject of interest, like most photography criteria. This subject preferably should be moving across your camera from left to right or vice versa. Panning shots will be quite impossible if the subject of interest is moving towards or away fromyour camera.

The background is advised to be vivid so as to make the photograph more enchanting when blurred.

The following are the settings for your camera and the steps for Panning shots:

Step 1: Set your camera to Shutter Priority mode,

Step 2: Set your shutter speed with its denominator value smaller then your lens focal length. I will suggest to set the shutter speed to 1/15 sec. With this setting, you are deliberately achieving “camera shake” which is your main motive in panning shots,

Step 3: Set your camera to “Continuous Shoot” mode. This will allow you to get a few shots at one time so as to achieve higher “probability of hit”.

Step 4: Set your camera to “AF-C” mode,

Step 5: As the main subject is moving across your camera, quickly focus on the subject and shoot. As your camera is set to “Continuous Shoot” mode, hold on to your shutter while moving your camera along with your main subject, making sure that the main subject is always in the middle of your viewfinder.

There you go! You have just utilized the technique of panning. Panning needs tremendous practice and you will be considered lucky if you are able to get 5 good shots out of 30 tries. Remember the good old days where SLR cameras are using film? Imagine how much money you will have to spend on films to get at least 10 great panning shots! Thus we are considered much lucky now as SLR cameras go digital.

You can further improve the photographs by doing some adjustment in Photoshop or other photo editing software. You may choose to perform some cropping of the photographs such that the main subject is placed at the golden rule for photography, the “Rule of Thirds”. With this, the photographs are able to tell the viewer the whole story and thus making the photographs more enchanting and eye catching!

Remember, you need a lot of practice for panning shots and do not be discouraged if you failed for the first few times. With enough practice, I am sure you can achieve what you longed for!

Author:
Yong Sak is a Singapore Photographer that has an enchanting and informative online photography portal that consists of a lot of useful Beginners Photography tips. You can also view a great collection of Chin Yong Sak Photographs in his personal photo gallery.

Terms: Articles may be reprinted provided content is not edited and links are kept live

Source: www.articledepot.co.uk