warzone

Can having only one item in a photo be considered good composition? For example these photos?

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Yes, three well placed objects can be better at times. Several items forming an "S" curve thru the image can be fantastic.

I would have shot the Hibiscus as a close-up virtually eliminating the background but to a blur. Use a larger iris (aperture) just enough DOF for the flower.

The second image of the stained glass is rather amusing as is. To some shooting it tangent (straight 90 degrees) into it might have been slightly better if such geometric distortions bother one.

I also agree with Linda below (I usually do). She has a great eye!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I don't know if you intended to post in Gallery or are wishing for a comprehensive discussion on composition since this topic is presently in main forum.

Definitely a single subject can be compelling; however using #1 as example, you have far more than one "item" in your composition. For me the busy bright background detracts from the beautiful flower. If you have the opportunity to shoot on cloudy day, or if shade finds that spot at some time during the day, or if you can shoot from a different perspective to lessen the distractions, your subject will shine!

jcboy3

No. Good composition does not depend on the number of items, but how the items are placed in the image and with respect to themselves.

For example:

In photo 1, you might think that there is only one item (the flower), but there are actually 4. The curb, the shadow in the upper right corner, and the leaves all add to the composition. In this case, those other elements are mostly distracting. The curb could be a leading line that added to the composition if it started lower and led into the flower. The shadow in the upper right corner is just distracting, and should be avoided. The lighting on the leaves transitions from shadow to bright, but in a way that leads away from the flower. Finally, the flower is in shadow, so your eyes are drawn away from it to brighter areas.

In photo 2, there is too little space around the edges, crowding the single subject. And the star could be a highlight if you moved position so that the bright area in the lower right was behind the star (lighting it and calling attention to it). Shoot wider, and then crop so that the star is positioned per the golden spiral.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

It isn't how many items are in the composition that determine if it is good, it is how the rules are used. Great photographs can also be made by people who purposely break the rules because they have a firm understanding of composition and know how breaking the rules can effect the viewer in a way that produces a pre-planed desired effect.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

To directly answer your questions, first is "yes", second is "no" as related to first. The 3rd question could have been in relation to "content". First picture may have content but poor composition. Second probably could be argued on composition but little content to me - photo says nothing with too tight crop with ugly unmatching background. Please accept I am speaking about the photos and not making this personal.

AlohaJim Loc: Retired. Hawaii >> N. Arizona.

Yes. . .and No.
A portrait isolated with elegant "bokeh" is "one item". But, a portrait is composed of many things, subtle shadows, shape, etc, eyes, mouth, and other elements.
Or, and odd number seemingly out of balance (IE: Japanese "Ikebana" concepts).
But, it is not the number of items but the relationship of the item(s) to the other elements in the picture. And, the background is an element. So, a single item isolated on a background is actually 2 items.

Composition is an art that begins with basics, emulation of master artists and painters, study of iconic imagery, . . . and ends with whatever you bring to the table on top of that.

Aloha
jim

warzone

Thanks everyone.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Um, yes.