How to compose a good photograph
One of the most important aspects of taking photographs is the composition. What appears within the frame, and how it dominates the frame can turn an ordinary photo into a brilliant one.
Taking photos is an art form, and it can take years to master, if at all; but by following a few simple rules of composition you can begin taking better photographs. By improving your photography in this way you’ll be sure to take photos you’d be happy to print on canvas and hang on your wall for everyone to see.
Firstly, when you’re composing a photograph make sure that the background isn’t cluttered. If you have an overly busy background your subject can get lost, and when your subject is the point of the photo, having a cluttered background can ruin the picture altogether. If your subject is important enough for the photo, make sure they are given importance within the frame.
You can compose your background by changing the angle that you’re taking the photo from. Try taking the picture from above or below in order to minimise the distraction from any busy background.
Another important tip is to make sure that your subject doesn’t have anything unfortunate ‘growing’ out of them. This can happen if they stood by a tree or lamppost, and may not always be obvious when you are composing the picture. When it is printed out however, having something that appears attached to your subject becomes very apparent indeed.
Finally try to utilise natural light and shadows. Full on flat light may be good for sunbathing, but it’s not the best for photography. If you can catch the light at the right time you can real depth to your photos, which can make all the difference in turning a good photo into a great one.
