Digital Photographer - UK (2020-01)

Learn how to identify the best elements of a

scene and frame professional-level images

Master

R

egardless of your choice of

exposure, the camera type you use

or the lighting in your image, the

composition of a photograph is

the most influential aspect on its success.

Looking back at some of photography’s most

iconic shots, there are those that are clearly

lacking in absolute sharpness, a balanced

exposure and ideal lighting, yet they leave a

lasting impression on the viewer – despite

being far from technically perfect. This is

due to the photographer’s inspired choice

of framing, which presents the subject in

an engaging way and conveys a clear and

captivating story.

Composition controls what the viewer

sees – it defines the parameters within

which visual information is disseminated in

the frame by clearly telling your audience

what they should be looking at. The

image’s composition has the power to

alter the viewer’s perception of the subject

by showing, hiding or restructuring the

environment and context.

While this provides us with boundless

opportunities to be creative and convey a

visual message that adheres to our personal

style and character, this capacity to influence

a viewer’s emotions can have adverse effects

if we are not mindful of all of our subject

placement and frame division choices. All

facets of a photograph’s structure must

be intentional and considered, so that the

subsequent effects are predictable and serve

to maintain audience engagement.

By studying the impact of our

compositional decisions we can be confident

that our message is being effectively

communicated and that our work will attract

repeat views. Here we’ll explore the best

ways to structure exciting compositions in

all of the main photographic areas, to enable

you to produce dramatic images of any

subject and any environment.

composition

Intelligent design

In a professional image little

occurs by accident – with

subject placement, image

proportions and perspective

all well considered as part of

a functional composition

© Gettyimages

MASTER COMPOSITION

Intelligent design

In a professional image little

occurs by accident – with

subject placement, image

proportions and perspective

all well considered as part of

a functional composition

© Gettyimages

MASTER COMPOSITION