Photo tip: composition

There are many ways to compose a photograph. There are several rules, but they can be broken. They are more like guidelines when you are out making an image.

Thirds, not the middle

The first set is the rule of thirds. Many people place the horizon in the middle of the image. You should place the horizon in the bottom third or the top two-thirds, not in the middle. The same is true of your subject. It should not sit dead center. The rule of thirds also applies vertically.

Turn the camera

Many people, when they photograph a person, compose the shot horizontally instead of vertically. People are vertical and should be shot that way unless you have a group. Learn to turn the camera vertically if the main subject is upright — a person, a tree, a tall building. If it is a landscape, shoot it horizontally. If you question which way, shoot both. I sometimes like both images for different reasons. Other times one is clearly better. If in doubt, take the time.

Fill the frame in the camera

When you are shooting, try to compose using the full frame. Do not do your cropping after. You are losing quality. Very rarely should you crop after the image is shot. Move in or further out until it is right. Try to have leading lines. Another trick is to frame the subject — an overhanging branch along the top, sometimes a frame all the way around. When you photograph people, make sure you do not have telephone poles or trees coming out of their heads. Pay attention to the background. An S-curve is always nice. A vanishing point can be as well. Watch the bright areas. They should never sit on the edge of the image. Your eye goes to the brightest thing first, so do not put that on the edge.

One last tip: use the right lens for the subject. Do not use a wide angle on a bear unless you want a very small bear in the picture, or to be eaten. Wildlife wants a telephoto. Portraits, 85mm to 135mm. Interiors and grand landscapes, a wide angle.

Light was the first tip. Night is the next one.