JMCPHD Loc: Maine

I am new to this forum and to digital photography but spent a long time, in years past trying to learn film photography.
I have posted a few pictures here and some comments have suggested a weakness in composition. I have done a fair amount of reading, watched some YouTube videos etc but I don't have a sense that I am getting anywhere. I am left brain guy and find technical discussions of photography helpful but I am wondering if it is possible to learn to be some sort of artist. Can others suggest ways to learn how to compose more effectively?

SuperFly48 Loc: NE ILLINOIS

Learning composition? Sometimes I feel either you get it or you do not. I taught fly fishing for ten years; learning to cast is THE major obstacle to overcome going forward. I can give a student all the technical knowledge he/she needs, but if they cannot apply that knowledge themselves, they will not become an "artist" with a fly rod.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

When I first started photographing, I paid a lot of attention to the rule of thirds and then built on that, through reading and observing, as time went on. Some wise photographers I knew at the time told me to develop my composition skills slowly. Sometimes, of course, there’s a shot that strays from the so-called rules, simply because you know that doing so feels right.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

If you've done the reading research, go out and experiment to apply it and review the results.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Look into the book "Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain" (Betty Edwards) - available on amazon. Here is some info:
http://drawright.com/theory/
The exercises will greatly assist your moving from literal to studies of shapes, light and more.

With your "Morning after storm" posting, Fotoartist suggested your compositions needed work, but did not offer any suggestions. You may want to check into some of the other UHH sections, such as For Your Consideration or critique, for more in-depth discussions. Study other photos and feedback on those sections, along with posting your own, and read through the threads to see how widely the responses can vary (find the specialty sections by clicking on "all sections" bottom of this page).

With your dog on beach series, I would personally choose the last shot as successful because you can see its head and body the most clearly. You show us not a wet dog at the edge of the shore, but the feelings of energy, joy, freedom and fun.

With your trees-after-storm, capturing the light is a great goal. But these photos are a tangle of distant trees. If you can get closer, or zoom in, you may find more impact. Think in terms of just the lines, shadows and light.

Best wishes for your journey!

repleo Loc: Boston

'The Photographer's Eye: Graphic Guide: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos' by Michael Freeman is the best photography book I have ever come across and addresses your problem directly. It is well written and easy to read. The graphic representations that go with the pictures explain the concepts wonderfully. I highly recommend.

https://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Eye-Graphic-Composition-Digital/dp/0240824261/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1520778050&sr=1-1-fkmr3&keywords=understanding+composition+a+graphic+guide+bryan+peterson

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Folks here will criticize everything for any reason.

Do not take UHH folks as anything but ...

What you learned before still apply regardless of what folks say.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar

Unless you yourself think that your photographs were badly composed, you shouldn't worry about it. You made the photos for yourself and you don't try to sell them so you don't have to make anyone likes them.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Please yourself, first. Be your own worst critic. Make 10,000 images. You'll get it.

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

One of my teachers told me (very simply but made an impact on me), that every time you look through that lens, make a mental pic in your mind "Could I hang that on the wall?" in other words, does the shot look like was made by an artist. Everything needs to be balanced. You can think too much on the "rule of thirds" and miss a shot. Fortunately in this day and age, we can take thousands of pics without worrying if it is perfect, but in my mind you should always attempt that balance.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I, welcome to the Hog!
This post might give you some insights to composition.
Recognizing that there are various known components to composition can help. Here is a topic of mine from a few years ago that breaks some of the aspects of composition into different catagories.
It’s a long read but should help! Good luck
SS
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-269500-1.html

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Indeed composition is the most important. A $100 camera beats a $5000 camera if the photo composition is superior. The crop tool is the most important tool in the bag .... crop to the story.

There is a massive works, free "Photographic Psychology: Image and Psyche" - Richard Zakia, Professor Emeritus, Fine Art Photography Department, Rochester Institute of Technology" Remember Rochester... No not Jack Benny's butler... rather, Rochester the home of Kodak the once king of photography.
http://truecenterpublishing.com/photopsy/article_index.htm
---------------------------------------------
Careful Linda from Mane may suggest brain surgery to examine The Fabric of Mind, operation free with expensive Canon and Nikon Cameras. Surgery she suggests is done by eminent scientist and neurosurgeon, Richard Bergland. They do Trepanning, and start pulling out strings and fluffy cotton balls.. yikes!! [smile] Before surgery I suggest that you Examine the works of the old masters to examine lighting, and composition that has been filtered by hundreds of years. And what pleases you will be the path to your style or styles. Also look at the gallery in UHH, you will see masterful shots such as those by Linda and god awful shots by "my dear Aunt Sally" and her 1950s Hawkeye.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Join a photography club.

johnpolizzi

Here are a couple of practical ideas for you. Look at the compositions of the artists you admire and ask yourself why you like this or that piece. Where is the subject placed in the frame and how does it balance with other components in the art work. Get yourself a 5"X7" mat with a 4"X6" opening and look at your world through it. Move it forward, backward, up, down and around and think about what viewpoint looks best to you, and then take your capture. You might find your compositions improving.