THE ART OF PLACING THE SUBJECT MATTER IN THE RIGHT PLACE

For centuries we have all admired the beauty that the artist captures on canvas, especially a beautiful landscape scene. When photography came to the fore, photographers started to utilize these same compositional concepts in their pictures.

The most popular term for these compositional standards is called the “Rule Of
Thirds”. This rule is not cast in stone, but a strong suggestion to assist in making a picture rather than just taking a snap. Photography is an art. It is creative and as the saying goes “one picture is worth a thousand words.”

Line, Shape and Form are three factors serious photographers take into account plus the rule of thirds before pressing the shutter release. Do not be to hasty to want to take the picture. Observe your surroundings look at the direction of the light, position yourself and select the correct camera angle. Check your shutter speed and aperture setting to obtain the best image. Move around, where possible and select the best setting to obtain the correct perspective with the lens magnification that you have chosen. If you have a zoom, move it back and forth to crop your picture so that you incorporate only the subject that is of interest and that it fill’s the picture frame. Do not include 50% bald blue sky and only the balance with your subject. Re-compose your picture putting all the elements that will make a great picture.

To use the rule of thirds compositional structure, allow say a third of the picture area to the blue sky with fluffy clouds and two-thirds to the beautiful vista you wish to photograph. The same rules apply for a picture of a person. One third should be allocated to the head and shoulders and two thirds to the remainder of the body. This way you will not cut off the feet and heads. Mother –in –law will look her best.

So be it Landscape, Humans or Nature subjects, Composition and lighting will play a vital role in producing a picture full of impact.

COPYRIGHT: DEREK PEARMAN HON. FPSSA, FPSSA
  NORMA PEARMAN FPSSA
  NEW TELTRON – FUJIFILM
  TEL: (011) 375-2070
  Email: derekp@teltron.co.za