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Framing the view
Techniques
22 October 2007 14:52
Good composition is about selecting the best part of a scene then finding the right camera position and lens to make the most of it. Some of this will be determined by the subject you're shooting, but there are a few simple rules that can help you out.
1. Use your feet. Don't just park the car and expect to take a great shot from the edge of the layby. Be selective; explore the view. One of the most common mistakes is to try to include too much. This can result in a confused image that doesn’t draw the viewer into the scene. So, take your time to really analyse the view and decide which elements you want to include and those you don’t. Change to a longer focal length lens if need be.
2. Find a focal point. This creates significance – a dominant point of interest for the viewer to look at. Prominent features in the landscape such as buildings, isolated trees or rocks are ideal subjects. If the subject is distant, look for an element in the foreground to help balance it and create depth. Use your feet to find the best vantage point, also changing your lens focal length if need be.
3. Use the rule-of-thirds. Imagine a noughts and crosses grid in your camera's viewfinder. Place the main horizontal and vertical lines of your view (such as the horizon, and a stand of trees) so they coincide with the lines of your imaginary grid. The points where the imaginary lines intersect are key places for positioning your focal point (eg solitary sheep).
4. Exploit lead-in lines. Draw viewers into the scene using a diagonal element of the composition that points towards the main subject. Diagonals can make an image more dramatic than the calming effect of horizontal or vertical lines. Lead-in lines can be found in most landscapes: look out for hedges, walls, paths, fallen trees, patterns in sand or ridges.
5. Scale: Without anything to refer to in your image it can be tricky to judge the scale of the objects in the landscape. Towering mountain ranges in the distance can look like small hills unless you include an easily recognisable object to give a sense of scale. Look out for buildings, people or any man-made elements to include in your shots.