The Art of Photography Composition

The art of photography composition is an amalgam of many elements. Images are made by you the photographer, so we need to consider the elements within the photo frame, your own inner vision, your interpretation and your aspiration. If any of these elements are missing then the image can fail to live up to the anticipation.

When looking at any potential landscape view it is attention to detail that really matters, with this attention to detail it becomes easier to understand that the whole of the view is made up of many individual parts. All these parts inter-relate with each other and have a vital role to play in achieving a satisfactory landscape photography composition.

So the elements of your photography composition, whatever the subject matter, must work together as a whole if you are to create a successful image. Too many images often have too much going on, I believe simplicity is the key to a good image. One where the subject is clearly identifiable and everything else within the shot provides a supporting but vital role.

We can look for naturally occurring patterns in the landscape, be it blocks of colour, strong diagonal lines or an element like a stream to lead our eye into the picture. A well selected foreground provides a very strong impact to an image, drawing the viewer into the frame.

Image 1 - 'Rule of Thirds' Grid overlay

Image 2 - Grid super-imposed onto a landscape composition

Placing these elements on an intersection of third within the frame makes for a very strong composition. The images above show a typical 3:2 ratio viewfinder with a ‘Rule of Thirds’ Grid overlay (image 1), and this grid super-imposed onto an Isle of Skye landscape image (image 2) where the top of the hill ‘A’, intersection of field and the dark hill ‘B’, and the meeting of the field, dark hill and grasses ‘C’ are all paced on or near the intersection points or line. This is a tried and tested method of creating a strong composition.

However, landscape photography is not just about rules, it is about seeing and personal expression, sometimes breaking the rules is liberating and will allow our creativity to flow.

Finally, do not be afraid to experiment and continue to push the boundaries within yourself for only then will we realise our full potential.

A few thoughts on photography composition

All the individual elements of your photography composition, whatever the subject matter, must work together as a whole if you are looking to create a successful image.

First and foremost photography images are made by you the photographer, they are an amalgam of many elements, including your own inner vision, interpretation and aspiration. If any of these elements are missing then the image will more than likely fail to live up to your expectation.

Attention to detail matters when looking for potential photo opportunities, these details need careful consideration following which it becomes easier to understand that the whole is clearly made up of many individual parts. All these parts inter-relate with each other and without doubt have a vital role to play in your photography composition.

I believe simplicity to be the key to a good strong image, so many images are fussy with too much going on. The main subject within the photography composition frame needs to be clearly identifiable whilst everything else within the frame provides a supporting but nonetheless vital role.

Whilst composing and considering our proposed image we need to look for naturally occurring patterns, be it blocks of colour, strong diagonal lines or an element like a stream, fence or road to lead our eye into the picture. A well selected foreground will provide strong impact to the image and draw the viewer deeper and deeper into the frame.

Placing the subject or horizon on an intersection of thirds makes for a very strong photography composition, known as the Rule of Thirds it is a tried and tested method of producing a strong photography composition. With that said photography is not about rules it is about individual expression, sometimes breaking the rules is liberating and allows our creativity to flow.

Finally, do not be afraid to experiment, push the boundaries within yourself for only then will you realise your full potential.