On the blog we have the immense luck of relating to a multitude of amateur photographers who make us investigate, give us ideas or make us doubt our knowledge. Today I would like to share with you what are the most recurring questions about photographic composition , what is the aspect that makes you doubt the most when framing your photographs.
Some of the questions that you have always asked yourself may have been answered in this article, so stick with me and I will try to offer you an answer that suits your needs ? . If in the end you still have doubts, do not miss this mega guide on photographic composition where we tell you all the essential tips and tricks.
1. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION?
Without a doubt, this is the first question we should ask ourselves when thinking about a photograph. The most important thing in a photographic composition is, without a doubt, defining a center of interest.
The center of interest is the protagonist of the scene, that which has caught our attention so eagerly that it has prompted us to take our photograph. A center of interest can be a person, a landscape or a simple detail.
Once defined, the composition and the center of interest cannot function without each other, because it is through the composition that we will emphasize and direct our gaze towards our protagonist.
2. WHERE SHOULD I PLACE THE PROTAGONIST OF MY PHOTO?
The frame is like a blank canvas, with the added difficulty that there will be times when we cannot change all the elements as we please. That is why it is so important to know where we place our protagonist.
It is said that the gaze is strongly attracted to certain areas of the image. Those points are known as strengths and are based on the rule of thirds which, in turn, comes from the golden section.
By placing the center of interest in one of these points, our gaze is immediately attracted to it.
3. IS IT WRONG TO FOCUS ON THE PROTAGONIST OR CENTER OF INTEREST?
Another of the questions about photographic composition that we usually get is whether or not it is possible to center an image. Is this correct at the compositional level?
Based on the previous point, we might think that centering is certainly not an option in terms of correct composition. Now, photography is art, and as such, it does not always understand rules and conventions.
Personally, I like to center, I do it often, just as I often use the rule of thirds. I believe that each person has their own style and that each photograph is a world, which may require a completely different treatment from another.
I would say that the trick is to be aware of what we are doing at all times and not to do it out of inertia or ignorance.
4. CAN I CUT HEADS?
Photographically speaking, yes ? When we talk about cutting heads , we talk about getting a very close -up . A type of plane where you can cut through the forehead and even through the chin of your protagonist.
5. WHAT ELEMENTS SHOULD I INCLUDE IN THE FRAME?
This is, for me, the tricky part of an image. Decide which elements will be part of it, and work so that those that do not interest me are left out of it.
Only and exclusively those who provide relevant information to your image should be part of your image. You must, therefore, pay close attention to all the details that surround the center of interest of your photography.
Everything that is left over, try to get it out of the frame, either getting closer to the protagonist, varying the point of view, or blurring the background.
6. HOW DO I BLUR THE BACKGROUND OF A PORTRAIT?
This is one of the first questions about photographic composition that I asked myself when I started in this world. Learning to blur the background is one of those photographic lessons that will mark a before and after in your photographs.
Blur is controlled via the aperture of the diaphragm . This regulates not only the amount of light we let through the lens, but also what we know as depth of field or area in focus in the image.
As you can see in the graph above, the more we open the diaphragm, the more light we let through to the sensor and, at the same time, the more we can blur the background.
Remember to always focus on the eyes, they are the fundamental part of any portrait.
If you find manual mode unattainable at the moment, learn to use the semi-manual aperture-priority mode, where you will tell your camera what aperture value you want, and the camera will automatically compensate for the speed so you get a good shot. exposure.
To understand the semi manual modes, I recommend this article.
7. HOW TO KNOW IF COLOR OR BLACK AND WHITE IS BETTER WHEN MAKING A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION?
Another of the compositional questions that we should ask ourselves before pressing the shutter is whether we want that image in color or in black and white. Because, although it may seem the same to you, although you think that it is as easy as taking an editing program and doing tests, the reality is that a color photo or a black and white photo have a different approach from even before pressing the button. shutter button.
WHEN TO TAKE A COLOR PHOTOGRAPH?
When color is the protagonist itself, or when it has an important weight in the narrative of your image, either because it contrasts or because it emphasizes the center of interest, then clearly opt for the color option.
WHEN TO MAKE AN IMAGE IN BLACK AND WHITE?
Black and white is more linked to form, abstraction, contrast, lines or documentary style.
8. HOW TO USE LINES IN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION?
Lines are a fundamental element in any composition, because they are capable of directing our gaze through the frame as if it were an arrow. Each type of line provides different sensations.
- The most common line is the horizontal, like the horizon line that allows us to divide the image into at least two differentiated parts (sky and earth). Horizontal lines transmit calm and serenity and it is the type of line we are most used to, since it marks the usual direction of many of our daily acts (such as reading).
- The vertical line is associated with growth, strength, rigidity or height, you can emphasize it by framing it vertically, or compensate it by doing it horizontally.
- The diagonal line is a very dynamic type of line, full of tension and visual force. It is very attractive to compose.
- The curved line is the one most associated with movement. It is soft, sensual and elegant, and allows the gaze to wander slowly around the frame.
- Converging lines are two parallel lines that intersect in space due to the effect of distance. They are very powerful visually, directing the viewer's gaze quickly and intensely towards the point where the lines converge (known as the vanishing point).
9. HOW TO ACHIEVE BALANCE IN A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION?
The way of distributing the elements within the frame through their visual weight is what helps us to achieve a balanced image. The visual weight is the degree of attraction that each element has. This is determined by the light contrast and the direction in which the elements move.
You have several ways to play with balance:
- Symmetry: the elements are distributed from a central axis in the same way on each side
- Color: cold colors weigh less and seem to recede, while warm colors have more visual weight and we perceive them closer.
- Directionality of the elements
- situation in the frame
- Contrast
- Texture
- Shape
- Size
- Etc.
I leave you with this complete article on balance in composition where you can study all these aspects in depth.
10. WHAT MAKES A MORE INTERESTING PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION?
This is one of those composition questions that we all would like to know but, fortunately or unfortunately, does not have a single answer.
An interesting composition is the sum of a thousand and one decisions that we make when taking a photograph. The place where we place the center of interest, the elements that we include or not, but above all, it is the story behind our image that captures or not the viewer.
RESOURCES TO MAKE YOUR COMPOSITIONS INTERESTING (BONUS)
To finish, I would like to offer you a few resources that I think can provide some originality or interest when looking for different compositions:
- The shadows: they give a lot of play, they allow you to create mystery, play with the shape, etc.
- The backlight: enhances the shape of objects.
- Reflections: mirrors , shop windows, will allow you to play with symmetries, break them, etc.
- The point of view: varying the point of view is essential to get different and original images.
- High and low key.
- Natural frame: frame through other elements such as windows, frames, etc.
- The human element always adds a natural interest to the image.
- Minimalism: less is more (sometimes ? ).
And here is this article with the most frequently asked questions about photographic composition. Did you like it? If you can think of any more, do not hesitate to leave us a comment. Oh, and don't forget to share it before you run off to take pictures so more people can benefit from it ? . Thank you very much and see you in the next article.
