Composition is something that can make or break a photo. Sometimes if you try to cram too much into a shot it will look chaotic and confusing. If you decide to limit the amount of “subjects” in your frame, it can appear boring and flat. Now, there are no set rules in photography (regardless of what some people might think). The rule of thirds, accurate metering, level horizon, sharp focus – all of these things are important for aesthetically pleasing photos, but creativity and originality can trump these rules any day. Back to composition. Taking a photo in an old, detailed castle can result in a truly beautiful picture. Sometimes it will stand just dandy on its own. For the creative photographer however, this may not be enough. By adding a human element to the frame, it allows the viewer to more associate with the scene. It can add a sense of humanity, scale, and will probably keep your attention a bit longer. If you know the person it can make that photo even more personal, something that truly breaches the line between a family snapshot on a vacation and a fine art photo. On the other hand, sometimes it can take away for the desired end state. Does that make sense?? So, on to the photo below… This past weekend a friend and I visited the perfectly preserved Castel Del Monte, a 13th century castle in Apulia, Italy. After touring the grounds, we came upon this room. Now, I had been here before a couple of years back but have improved tremendously as a photographer since then. Back then I would have been completely content spending 30 seconds fumbling and guessing with settings, snapping a poorly composed shot and moving on. This time, when I arrived in the room, I took a few minutes and just waited. Observed the unique textures, admired the beautiful lighting, and watched wave after wave of tourists pour through. When it was finally clear, my friend Raven was setting up for a photo of the window above. I wish I could say this was a completely candid photo, but I fell in love with the composition right away and wanted to ensure I was able to capture the scene the way I saw it in my head. After a couple quick trial shots to achieve proper White Balance, ISO, exposure, sharp focus, and focal length (yes, these are all things you should be considering when taking a photo if you want the best results), I was happy with my setup. I told Raven to get back into the position and began to shoot. Some things my eyes notice as they dance across this image include her subtle shadow sneaking in to the darkness, the brightly lit window casting natural sunlight around the room, the ornate columns and stonework, and a grand sense of scale. What do you see? What are your thoughts on composition? Do you like to shake things up and add that human aspect to your photos at times?
Thank you for visiting! Check back tomorrow!
Good Morning, a fantastic discussion on composition, with a different approach!! A wonderful image, that would have been quite flat without your addition! Solid concept, and a well done, really like the tones, and the lighting here!! Sounds, and certainly looks like a winning trip!!
should a great trip…
I’m more of a wildlife photographer, but have been feeling the itch for landscapes as well…. heading to Alaska in month,Coastal Brown bears during the salmon run..
fingers crossed!
Stay Well….
Don
Thanks Don! I hope you have a fantastic trip. I plan on heading up there a lot if things work out when I get back to the states!
Excellent image Adam. Nice write-up on composition. I think it is one of the two most important factors in a great image (light ids the other factor). I don’t usually add people unless I am trying to show scale to an image.
Thanks Len. I agree with you. You can take a nice picture of a beautiful sunset, but throw in a gnarly old tree or crashing wave and it makes it that much more compelling and cool. I don’t add people nearly as much as I would like, but sometimes they are in the right place at the right time and it can’t do anything but help the shot. Thanks for the good comment.
I think sometimes people add to tell the story of a scene and it also adds perspective. I wish she was lit up a little bit more because right now my eye goes toward the window and I almost miss Raven, but other than that I like the scene. You could always play around with it in Color Efex Pro 4 if you have it. The Darken/Lighten Center might work.
Thanks for the constructive observation Rick! I wish I got more of these. I actually had it processed differently at first, but changed it to how it is now because I wanted the main subject to be the light and window, and Raven to be more of a compliment to it, more or less. I just got the entire NIK package, but haven’t tried any of the other programs yet. Maybe that is a project for tonight. Thanks gain buddy, I appreciate it!
I typically don’t like to include people in my shots, but certainly make exceptions when the situation is just right. And this is a great example of the benefit of including people. She not only adds a sense of scale to the room, but also helps to draw your eye back to the window. Well done.
Terrific post and write up on composition Adam. I really like the way Raven is positioned and how her looking up leads the viewer’s eye to the window.
Very nice sir. Good job on the article. All about the eye though, and we know how subjective that is
I personally think that in this case Raven’s presence doesnt do much to the frame. I would have loved to see more of the roof ..but that’s just me
Thanks Ketan!! I appreciate the honest comment!
I tend not to include people in images of buildings or landscapes because often they intrude on the composition. They work, however when they lead the eye into the composition and that is exactly what Raven does in this shot. She and her camera lead you up to that high window and that angled line that she creates actually balances the lead in line from the left column. So it all hangs together very well.
I must confess I am not a fan of having people in my shots, mainly because they tend to date them through the style of clothing, etc. In this instance, however, I do not think this is the case – Raven is wearing simple black clothing which does not obviously associate itself with any time period.
Wonderful discussion on composition and an excellent image, Adam.
Great photo and great post Adam, and yes it is something I need to do, slow down alot and think before I shoot.