In a previous article I wrote about how anyone can take a great picture, with the main difference between an amateur and a professional photographer being the consistency and the regularity of getting that great snap. As a professional if you miss the opportunity that's in front of you, there is often no second chance. As an amateur it's just a minor disappointment.
As a pro or a budding amateur photographer there are principles of composition that can help and complement the natural eye that you have for a great image, whether it's a portrait or a landscape.
When you think you see a great image:
1. One aspect that is important is the position of the camera. The point of view whether high, low or somewhere in between, is very important in creating the best possible perspective for the shot. A shot of a building or a person from close to the ground can present the subject almost as three dimensional in the finished photograph. This can really bring to life a photograph that may not have much detail in it.
2. Another aspect of getting a great shot is the essential trio of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. All three are incredibly important in having a fully developed presentable photograph, but the aperture is the one that can really enhance the scene in front of you. A large aperture will enhance the foreground of the image making it centre stage and blurring out the background, while a small aperture will give life to the whole picture. With a large aperture the simplest photograph of something like a flower head can translate to a wonderful and powerful canvas.
3. The third main aspect of a great photograph for me is balance. Angles, straight lines and natural frames can help an image not to be overpowered by one single element. The glimpse of the side of a building, an archway or a horizontal horizon can frame the subject that is the priority of the picture and give it substance that it may otherwise not have.
These factors combine to fully develop the great picture that you think you see in front of you, but the most important factor is recognising the opportunity for the great snap that has presented itself. When you see the opportunity it is very important to take stock of all the elements and possible variations that are in front of you to produce the best possible result.
At times you can pause and relax and shoot at your own pace to create that great photograph, other times you have to be sharp and alert to weigh up the factors in an instance and catch that moment, as that second chance is often not a possibility.
As a pro or a budding amateur photographer there are principles of composition that can help and complement the natural eye that you have for a great image, whether it's a portrait or a landscape.
When you think you see a great image:
1. One aspect that is important is the position of the camera. The point of view whether high, low or somewhere in between, is very important in creating the best possible perspective for the shot. A shot of a building or a person from close to the ground can present the subject almost as three dimensional in the finished photograph. This can really bring to life a photograph that may not have much detail in it.
2. Another aspect of getting a great shot is the essential trio of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. All three are incredibly important in having a fully developed presentable photograph, but the aperture is the one that can really enhance the scene in front of you. A large aperture will enhance the foreground of the image making it centre stage and blurring out the background, while a small aperture will give life to the whole picture. With a large aperture the simplest photograph of something like a flower head can translate to a wonderful and powerful canvas.
3. The third main aspect of a great photograph for me is balance. Angles, straight lines and natural frames can help an image not to be overpowered by one single element. The glimpse of the side of a building, an archway or a horizontal horizon can frame the subject that is the priority of the picture and give it substance that it may otherwise not have.
These factors combine to fully develop the great picture that you think you see in front of you, but the most important factor is recognising the opportunity for the great snap that has presented itself. When you see the opportunity it is very important to take stock of all the elements and possible variations that are in front of you to produce the best possible result.
At times you can pause and relax and shoot at your own pace to create that great photograph, other times you have to be sharp and alert to weigh up the factors in an instance and catch that moment, as that second chance is often not a possibility.
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