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Photo Composition - How to create a photograph with tremendous appealGood photo composition can make the difference between a mere snapshot and a great photograph. Too often people make the mistake of thinking that a photo of a beautiful subject is a beautiful photo. Only when they see the same scene in a well-composed photo do they appreciate the distinction.I live in a gorgeous section of the country, and often see tourists photographing the scenery. Some merely stick their camera through the sunroof while driving (yes, I've seen that happen), others park their car and roll down the window to snap a few frames, and a few will get out of their vehicle, cross the road, and try their hand at capturing the vista with their camera.
Knowing the area well, it's not hard to guess at the results they see when they get home. Maybe they don't care, and just wanted something to remember their vacation. As a photographer wanting to improve your skills, you want more. You wouldn't be reading this if you were satisfied with mere snapshots. The act of composing a landscape photo entails positioning the elements of the scenery in the frame so that they guide the viewer's eye around and into the image. Think about what you're trying to say with your photo. Is it the exhilaration of a broad open expanse, the majesty of a towering mountain, or the tranquility of a slow moving stream or still mountain lake? The orientation of the camera, the angle of the photo, the height above ground, and what is included or excluded from the frame all are elements of composition to be considered when creating a photograph. There are a few rules to composing great photos. Once you master them, you can try breaking a few to get different effects. Until then, however, try to keep these things in mind. They will enhance your photography and allow you to produce very strong imagery. Over the next few pages, I teach you how to compose a photograph to convey to the viewer the same sense of awe you felt when you were taking the photo.
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