The Basic Elements of Photo Composition

An example of how pattern and color can make an image stronger.

My name is Francis Parker and I am a recently retired AP (Associated Press) photojournalist.

I have a master’s degree in journalism and graphic arts (including photography) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and my love affair with photography, cameras and photos began 57 years ago, with my mom’s old Brownie Kodak camera.  Since then, this affair has moved from the very first Polaroid land cameras all the way up to today’s far-reaching SLR Digital Cameras and other super-technical gear.

Though my blogging experience has been limited, I will be offering tips and stories of how my photojournalism experience has yielded pictures unlike anyone else’s.

All over the world, the fundamentals of good photography are the same.  Composition determines whether a photograph is good or not. If its composition is not good enough, a photo may look unorganized, unclear and unappealing. With the technology in digital cameras today, automatic settings make it easier to take good quality shots. But even with these tools, composition remains the thin line that divides ordinary shots from amazing ones. That’s why it is fundamental to understand  which aspects of digital photography are most important.

Even the slightest alteration of this image's lighting would change its meaning and mood.

Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of any form of photography. It creates forms, textures, depth and mood. It is what you use to emphasize and define your main subject or illuminate secondary parts.

Pattern
Patterns can be comprised of a variety of things – color palettes, lines, or shapes – and are normally used as supporting elements. If they are used the right way, patterns create rhythm and order, which make images easy to process and appealing to the eyes. More than anything, a pattern’s rhythm creates balance, which is essential in good photography.

Volume
Photos are flat by nature, but it’s possible to add the impression of depth and added dimension. Shadows, colors, textures and angles are vital if you want to create volume. With depth effects, even the most simple composition can make a subject more interesting.

Texture
Texture gives life to still photos. By creating illusions of softness or roughness, textures can make photos look more realistic, define their subjects more expressively, and add meaning that might otherwise have been lost.

All the important aspects mentioned above are inter-related. The key to successful digital photography is understanding the importance of each, as well as how (and when) to emphasize one while making the others work as subordinate elements.

Even though each can be associated with the other, it’s how you play with this element that makes-up a good composition in digital photography.

I look forward to exploring these things with you in the future. Happy reading!

—————
Click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Tagged as: Photography, Photojournalism, Tips