Composition- One simple word that means so much! There are so many elements to composition, but in it's simplest form it's what you leave in or take out of your frame in order to tell the story. And just like the books at your local library, the stories can range from very, very, simple, to complex novels.

A couple weeks back we talked about the rule of thirds. The idea that you want to balance your image across the frame in thirds, avoiding the center for your main focal points. And yes, there are exceptions to this rule. Like all good rules that are made to be broken, but for now let's just stick to following, the rules. :)

This week, I'd like to introduce another simple but important composition concept, leading lines. Leading lines serve the same purpose as the rule of thirds, to tell your eye where to go when looking at the photograph. Think about pathways, bridges, walls, things that create direction in your photograph. What direction do you think they should lead, have you ever even thought about it? The answer is they should lead to your subject. So let's see what that looks like.

See how the lines that stair way creates lead you right to Chloë's little face? Now what do you think would have happened if she had been positioned in the right third of the photograph?

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The Rule of Thirds is a term you may or may not have heard thrown around? It's actually pretty straight forward. The Rule of Thirds is a photography imperative that basically says in order to bring balance and interest to an image points of interest should happen in the thirds sections of an image. 

Imagine a grid over your image that divides it into thirds both horizontally and vertically where the lines meet should be your guides. You never want points of interest (for us this usually means your subjects eyes, directly in the center). Here let us show you.

It's a good idea to try and get in the habit of doing this when composing your shot versus doing it in post via cropping. You lose pixels and often times important information. It can be a bit challenging at first just like everything else, bit once you get it, you got it!

One thing we found that helps with this in the beginning is to move your focal point on your camera from the middle to one of the outer options. This way you don't have to think about recomposing your image once you have locked focus.

See this diagram most focus points on DSLRs look similar to this. Avoid the middle point which is generally the default and instead try using one of the ones we have highlighted in pink and see if that doesn't help you get the hang of ROT!

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We said it before in Brand Spankin' New, but we will say it again, because it is worth repeating! Learning to master composition is one of the single most powerful ways to transform your photographs! Learning how to tell a story, by what you do or don't put into a frame is an art form! And one that can be mastered no matter what kind of equipment you have, seriously, even an iphone! In the coming sections we will go in detail into some areas of composition that well make a big difference fast! But like everything in photography the best way to master it is PRACTICE, so snap to it!

In this section we will explore:

Angles- A look at how your vantage point can completely change your story

Rule of Thirds- A tried and true photography imperative

Backgrounds- Learning what to do, not to do, and what to watch for

Positive and Negative Space- Understanding the story that perspective tells

What NOT to do with props!- Come laugh with us on the do's and don'ts