In every photograph we take, we already make judgments on how certain subjects fit into the frame. Cropping comes naturally in this sense, but other elements will decide what makes your photograph truly stunning.
The best composed shot is one that follows what is known as the rule of thirds. By dividing the image up in three, a photographer can find an equal balance within the frame and decide on further elements like viewpoint, cropping and finding diagonal lines.
These lines can bend and help the viewer move their eyes along the photograph. If we take my image of the Royal Naval College as an example, the staircase in front of The Queen’s House act as a natural diagonal line that moves your eyes to the ground, whilst the path leads you to the horizon line to meet with Canary Wharf juxtaposed with the old architecture of the college.
The path that runs horizontal acts as a way of dividing the picture in half, whist the sky and the stairs in the foreground complete the rule of thirds composition. We are left with a balanced shot of a cityscape during a part of the day where there is luckily a dramatic sky!
Greenwich is the perfect location to find interesting angles, whether it is in the natural landscape of the park, by the shore of the Thames or through the colonnades of its classic architecture. Don’t be afraid to fill the frame and avoid leaving to much empty space.
Use your macro settings and experiment with texture and abstract forms; it can be easily done with plants, trees or any inanimate object. Remember the rule of thirds with sweeping landscapes and be aware of the sky when the sun sets to enhance the drama of the photograph. Composition is only one of the various aspects within the medium, the most important being light so try, if you can, to get out during those golden hours, (early morning/early evening) and contribute to the Daily Photo section of Greenwich.co.uk.
Any further questions regarding your photography, come join us on our photography tuition workshop, Richard and I will walk you through all the necessary points of the camera body itself and help you to achieve beautiful photography using natural light. For more information log on to our website.