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Composition - How do you approach it in your photography?
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Jun 6, 2021 07:03:56   #
MSW
 
obviously, if you get 'all wrapped up' in the "rules," your photos become formulaic and dull ... if Beethoven of Mozart or McCartney always follower the "rules," we'd be listening to someone else.

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Jun 6, 2021 07:07:36   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
Continuing on from your last thread on composition, the quote that you refer to in your opening post seems to support the idea that composition is all about placement. I would take that as referring not just to general placement but more specifically to how individual elements are placed relative to each other (I assume that's what's meant by "structure"). Where composition is concerned the focus is not on what those individual elements are but on their placement within the frame.

It seems to me that the importance of composition is very much dependent on genre. With some types of photography composition is either irrelevant, insignificant or a minor consideration and with others it will determine whether a photo is a snapshot, a good photo or an excellent one. Sometimes composition is a necessity and sometimes it's a luxury.

It seems to me that composition can be positive or negative. The usual objective is to achieve a positive composition where balance and the careful use of positive space create a harmonious result, but negative space, deliberate imbalance and disharmony can be used to good effect in some situations. It's probably better for beginners to focus on the positive side of composition to begin with because it's usually the case that poorly or inappropriately implemented negative composition will look more like a mistake rather than a carefully considered and carefully executed idea.

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Jun 6, 2021 07:21:01   #
robertcbyrd Loc: 28754
 
Thank you for this question. The responses are wonderful nuggets that I intend to keep.

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Jun 6, 2021 07:22:42   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
Good topic, terrific discussion!

I often don't have the opportunity to work a scene (location/access/timing), but I love to react to light and weather, and I'll try to be aware of balance when I bring the viewfinder to my eye. I use zoom lenses (for four years it has been 14-140 mm and 70-300 mm on M4/3 mirrorless cameras). That helps with framing and decisions such as whether to fill the frame with the subject or include surroundings, center a subject, use Rule of Thirds or negative space.


pond, on Flickr

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Jun 6, 2021 07:35:38   #
Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
 
I create what looks good all of those rules simply get in the way
IMPACT is much more important than, is it in the 3rds etc.
That said it does have to be exposed and in focus

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Jun 6, 2021 07:44:54   #
Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL
 
Wallen wrote:
I have 3 main considerations when taking a photo;

A. Shoot to Purpose is when I have a specific purpose for the photo.

B. Make a Hero, is when I strive to make every element included in the image support a singular thought, element or element group. This is to intentionally create a story, tension or support to make the hero element stand out more.

C. Rule of shadows. This is my very own formula. The point here is to make each elements still be recognizable even if they are viewed as a single element.


As for composition rules, there really are none. They are just guides. But for ease of description and planning, I divide the actual practice of composition to 3 main groups namely;

1. Vertices are line, shape & structure types of arrangement.
2. Visual are contrast, color & texture type of composition.
3. Visceral are those that tell stories, evoke emotion, movement, time and so on.

Although this 3 groups can be arranged to work together, I will often use only one as my guide because most of the time, a singular direction of focus creates a more solid & pleasing composition.

.
I have 3 main considerations when taking a photo; ... (show quote)


In the end, do you get to take the shot?

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Jun 6, 2021 08:14:01   #
jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana
 
I compose according to what looks best to me without regard to any rules. Not surprisingly, my compositions generally wind up supporting one or another of the rules.

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Jun 6, 2021 08:27:28   #
Wakko12 Loc: New Hampshire
 
I definitely start with the rule of thirds and then decide if I have reason to break the rules before I finalize my shot.

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Jun 6, 2021 09:06:11   #
chfrus
 
All good. Do not forget leading lines to the subject. as Henri Cartier taught,to make a good photo move in. Also study the masters in paintings you will learn a lot from those paintings.

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Jun 6, 2021 09:12:48   #
Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.
 
srt101fan wrote:
...snip...

There are "rules" of composition - the rule of thirds, spirals, etc. Books are written about it and photography courses address it. So what I'd like to know is how you approach composition in your photography. Do you consciously think of and apply "rules" (guidelines) of composition or do you just move the camera until the image looks good in the viewfinder? From a compositional standpoint, what do you think about when you approach a subject?


In-camera composition is one of the reasons I like zoom-lenses: I can bring in more of the area around the main subject, or less.
Yes, I know about the thirds and spirals etc. but never take the time to think about them when looking through the viewfinder. I move the zoom lens in or out, move the camera up, down or sideways, till what I see in the viewfinder pleases me, then I press the shutter release button.
I have yet to meet someone who is looking at my photos, saying something about not following these rules (and believe me, I have a few very outspoken photograhpy friends.

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Jun 6, 2021 09:17:48   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
I don’t get deep into it. I look for what pleases me. Most of my good shots are just snapshots without too much forethought. At times I may work the scene.

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Jun 6, 2021 09:26:02   #
ELNikkor
 
Timing, lighting, contrast, play important roles in my photos, but one thing that really helps is using a zoom lens. I feel stifled by fixed focal length when I am unable to eliminate unnecessary elements, or include necessary ones, at the moment of exposure, and there is either no time, or no physical way to "zoom with my feet".

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Jun 6, 2021 09:28:15   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
gvarner wrote:
I don’t get deep into it. I look for what pleases me. Most of my good shots are just snapshots without too much forethought. At times I may work the scene.



I just take a picture of what I see if I like it.
I don't not take a picture because the may be no "leading lines" or other "composition criteria". I don't even look for them, consciously.

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Jun 6, 2021 09:40:20   #
joseph premanandan
 
I do apply rule of thirds most of the times but there are situations where I break that rule. I do “ Leading lines”,framing, symmetry. Good luck.

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Jun 6, 2021 09:42:22   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
gvarner wrote:
I don’t get deep into it. I look for what pleases me. Most of my good shots are just snapshots without too much forethought. At times I may work the scene.



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