learning
three
COMPOSITION & PERSPECTIVE
We're more than half way! This week we are going to learn about COMPOSITION and PERSPECTIVE.
Without being technical (because we're not getting bogged down in tech talk here!), how we compose a photograph and what angle we take the photograph from can all have a huge impact on the finished photograph - how we view it, what we see and how it makes us feel.
Today we will learn about being creative to add interest to photographs, some handy tips for breaking the mould,
and we have a fun task this week to practice your new learned skills.
Composition is a key element to photography. It is the way we organise or place the various objects in a photograph.
The way we compose the photograph will impact on the way we feel about the photograph and what is in focus/noticed first.
There are various ways to a compose an image - from balancing to filling the space, symmetry to using frames and leading lines.
The most common is the Rule of Thirds.
The Rule of Thirds is dividing the image into three horizontal and three vertical sections (so there are nine boxes).
Look at where the lines intersect - the main subject should be placed on one of these points.
It can also be handy if you are shooting with a horizon - that looks visually pleasing if it is along one of the horizontal lines.
Please note that this doesn't have to be perfectly spot on the lines or intersections, close enough can have the same effect.
I recommend practicing composition in your photographs as the more you are aware of it and the more you look at it in yours and others photographs, the more confident you are - and then you can bend the mould!
Rules are meant to be broken, right?
So once you understand traditional composition rules, you can play around to create interesting images that challenge the norm.
tip
GRIDS
On your phone, you can have grid lines turned on to assist in visualising the Rule of Thirds.
iPhone > Settings > Camera > Grid
Android > Settings > Camera > Camera Settings > Grid Lines
Try turning the grid on when taking photos for a while. Once you're comfortable you can turn it off again. But it does help to set up your phone, make sure the horizon line is straight and that your subject is on an intersecting line.
Perspective in photography is using the angle you are shooting on to create interest and a different view.
This can make it a little bit more (or a lot more) magical!
A lot of the time we fall into the trap of just snapping what is in front of us, especially when we're busy - which hey, we're parents! We're always busy! But let's put a little bit of effort in, I promise it'll be worth it. Move your body to change the angle you are shooting from... move further away, closer, to the left or right, up or down, on your tummy, peeking out behind the door frame.
Think about what does your child see? What's their perspective?
Dad's - think about what mama sees? When we look back in twenty years we will want visual reminders of what we felt and saw.
When mama looks down, she sees her hand holding on to a grubby warm little hand attached to a bubbly toddler who is looking up with a huge grin and twinkly eyes. Capture that! Think about how different that perspective is to yours - looking at mama and tot standing next to each other looking at each other. So different!!
Using perspective makes your photography turn from snapshots into storytelling.
tip
ANGLES
This little exercise to test out perspective is super easy...
1. Find your scene or moment
2. Take your usual straight-on photograph
3. Find seven different angles to capture that scene/moment
4. Take a few minutes to look through the eight photographs... see which one you are drawn to most, which one makes you feel the emotions of that moment, which one do you think you'd love the most in twenty years time?
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
STRAIGHT-ON
YOUR WEEKLY TASK
Your task this week is to put those newfound composition and perspective tools into practice!
On your phone, turn the grid on.
Choose the moment you want to capture... maybe it's mama playing peek a boo with baby or braiding your daughter's hair, I'm sure you can find the beauty in the everyday!
Take a photograph of the scene straight-on as you see it.
Take another photograph, but change your perspective so you are seeing it from mama's perspective (If you're a mama doing this course, you can absolutely do this too - think about your perspective when you're in that particular moment/scene). Also, take a minute to compose the photograph using the grid.
Send the straight-on photograph and your new perspective photograph through to me!
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS
Email your photographs to
info@kirraphotography.com
with the subject line
"Week Three"
Make sure when attaching the photographs you select "actual size"
SUPPORT
I am always here to support you. Whether you have a question, a concern or you want to show me the images you are taking!
The best way to contact me is via email at
info@kirraphotography.com