Composition - Frame Your Photos

Composition is one of the most important factors between an ok photo and a fantastic one. Before we get into too much detail you actually need to know what composition means. Composition is ‘putting together’ all the different elements of your photos. This includes where to place your subject, your horizons, your subject in relation to other objects, what to focus on or crop out to make for the most interesting photos.

Composition is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways of vastly improving your photos. All it requires is a bit of thought BEFORE you press the shutter button, you don’t need expensive equipment just a bit of insight, planning and a great eye for detail. Here are some tips to get you on your way to framing some great photos.


Want Thirds?

The Rule of Thirds (ROT) is a great ‘rule’ (note the inverted commas around ‘rule’, you will see why later) to follow for great composition. The ROT involves drawing imaginary lines (please don’t draw on your camera) that divide the frame up into thirds (both vertically and horizontally) and then paying close attention to where these lines lie and intersect. Focal points should be placed where these lines intersect and horizons should lie on one of the lines, not in the middle of the frame. Here are a few examples:

Line ‘Em Up

Look for lines, patterns and repetition. Position these elements to draw the viewer’s eye to a particular focal point in the shot. Notice how in the shot below, the lights (and the light on the path) take the eye from the outside of the frame all the way to the end of the path into the distance. The repetition of lines and symmetry of shapes is what makes this second photo that little more interesting.

Frame It
Framing your photos using elements within the shot is also a great composition technique. Usually by using something located in the foreground of the shot you can create some really interesting compositions. Trees can be your best friend when using this technique. Use your tripod whenever you can, you will always spend more time framing your shot when you use a tripod. After all, no one wants to carry around a cumbersome piece of equipment and spend time setting it up for a dodgy snapshot.

Crop in Tight
Don’t forget the art of cropping. If you don’t manage to get the perfect composition in camera you can always do a bit of re-aligning later in your image editing software. Take a look at this example, cropping in tight can make for a far more interesting photo. Convert to black and white for an extra focus on contrast, lines and composition.

‘Rules’ Were Made to be Broken
To be able to break rules you first need to actually know them. So now that you know the rules of simple composition don’t hesitate in breaking them for some really creative shots. But don’t forget, breaking the rules still requires a lot of thought and planning (so you can get away with it) so don’t think that rushing your set-up and accidentally breaking the rules means your composition is great.

Hopefully this helped to give you a bit of direction when it comes framing a great shot. That little bit of technique and forethought when it comes to composition is very noticeable when it comes sorting out the great photos from the not so great

Unity - ACU Shot of the Week

This was taken in a science laboratory on the North Sydney Campus

Unity?

UPDATE - 17 June 2009

So far, there has been a very positive response, with people wanting to know more about the competition as well as plenty of people already submitting some really impressive photos.

Here are three things that might come in handy:

1. This year’s theme is Unity so make sure that you can tell me exactly how you think your photo visually represents Unity. Remember that no matter how good your photo is, if it doesn’t represent unity, it can’t be used in the exhibition.

2. You can submit a maximum of two photos. If you have already submitted two photos into the competition and you manage to get a photo of three shooting stars across a beautifully lit sky with rolling hills and a misty lake, don’t panic. If you want to re-submit photos you can email thepixelprize@acu.edu.au, attach the new photo you would like to submit and nominate which photo (if you have submitted 2) you would like it to replace.
If you have only submitted one photo, don’t forget that entering another photo is only going to improve your chances of success in the competition.

3. Make sure you keep an eye on this blog. There will be regular posts which will include tips, hints and ideas for photos. There will also be image editing software tutorials as well as photography techniques. You can also comment on any topic, ask questions or share your insight or ideas by commenting on posts.Good luck in the competition and happy snapping.

Unity - ACU Shot of the Week

Each week a photo taken on an Australian Catholic University Campus that represents unity will be added. This week's photo was taken on the Brisbane Campus of an international student in traditional Indian dress and body art.

How do you think it represents Unity?

A Bit About Me

Before we start talking about photography and the competition I thought I would just let you know a little bit about myself.

My name's Alex and I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Arts at Australian Catholic University. I have been a keen photographer for around five years and worked as a sports photographer while I was in high school.

I have been using the arts side of my double degree at the University as a creative outlet to complement my business degree. In arts I am majoring in Drama and Visual Arts. I was given an opportunity by the University to introduce a photography competition to high school students, one which not only provides prizes but, more importantly, gives those successful entrants the opportunity to be part of a public exhibition in a gallery at a university. Getting your work seen by other photographers, the public and other people in the industry is a very important step in pursuing photography as a career or as a serious hobby.

Over the years I have continued to add to my equipment. I currently shoot with a Canon 40D and predominantly use two lenses: a 17-40mm f/4 L series, ultra-wide zoom lens and a 70-200mm f/2.8 L series, telephoto zoom lens. Although good equipment is great to have, I am firm believer that expensive equipment doesn’t make you a good photographer; a good photographer will get a better photo on a mobile phone than a bad photographer will get on an expensive Digital SLR camera.

I am interested in a number of different styles of photography as well as post production and image editing software (such as Photoshop). You can have a look at some of my work by clicking here.

If you have any questions or want to know anything else about me feel free to ask. I will be continuing to post some of the things I have learnt over the years on this Blog and so will others. So stay tuned.

Alex

Welcome to The Pixel Prize

The Pixel Prize is a photography competition open to high school students. Australian Catholic University is hosting the competition for the first time in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Its your opportunity to improve your skills as a photographer, meet other young photographers, have your work exhibited in a public gallery, attend an awards night and win some fantastic prizes.

This year's theme is Unity and those entries that can represent this theme effectively and creatively will have the best chance of success in the competition.

My name is Alex and I, as well as others, will be using this Blog to provide insight into the competition as well as photography. Including tips on technique, inspiration as well as how you can address the theme of Unity. Make sure you keep an eye on the Blog as you might come across that little something that will give you what you need to capture that winning shot.

I welcome your comments on anything I might mention, if you have any questions, need any help or want to share some of your ideas or tips please feel free to do so.

For those of you who enter, good-luck in the competition and I hope to see you at an awards night on an Australian Catholic University Campus very soon.

Alex