Photo-Composition (Part III) : General Techniques

(Base Knowledge V)

(some of statement according to ref. “Composition III by Gloria Hopkins”, see)

1. Depth of Field (DOF) : Impress Three-Dimensions

One easy way to assure maximum depth in your landscape-photograph is use as small lens aperture such as f/16 or f/22 –and at least f/5.6 for portrait-photograph (DOF will be presented more tight). And then focus a third of the way into the scene. Level on the Depth are :
a. Foreground.
The foreground is a place where we situate objects or lines which will lead the eye into the photograph.
b. Middleground.
The middleground is the space between your foreground and background. In some case, the middleground is where the main subject is placed. And objects on this plane will be in sharp focus while the foreground and backgrounds are softly blurred (gradation-blurred)

c. Background.
The importance of the background is dependent on the scene. While in many photograph, the background is part of the subject itself, and some close-up. Better if we use it slurr with the subject or countering it, in order to create a dramatic effect and really make the subject pop out the picture.

2. Vertical or Horizontal

When taking a horizontal or vertical forms, it will create indifferent effect for the final composition. Decide as you like!!.


Many pros suggest that if you shoot for editorial purposes, you would be wise to get into the habit of shooting both vertical and horizontal versions of a scene, so you can offer more than one option to an editor. This is excellent advice for all photographers. There have been several times when I have found that I have changed my preference for a vertical or horizontal format for a particular image.

3. Viewpoint

The first, most obvious difference between one viewpoint and another is the background. If you are photgraphing a subject that cannot easily be moved, the only way to change what is in the background is to choose a different viewpoint.

The subject itself can look quite different viewed from different angles. Photos can be made to take on a whole new dynamic by selecting an extreme angle of view. I shoot a lot of pictures, especially sports shots, laying down, getting the camera as close to the ground as possible.

Also the perspective can change quite drastically, especially with wider angled lenses. If you photograph a person full length with a wide angle lens from a standing position, their head will be too big in proportion to the rest of their body. If, on the other hand, you kneel down and shoot the same picture from waist height, you will see that the whole picture is better proportioned.


4. Using Diagonal

Setting your subject matter on a diagonal will almost always make for a more dynamic picture. Even if this is an invisible diagonal that draws your eye between two points. Move around the subject (not too close in the case of my crocodiles) and look for a diagonal.

Without override the theory above, somehow when i got ‘stuck’ looking an agle, I just simply use diagonal ones. Then somotimes I found its prettier than an ordinary,

5. Picture Scale

An ordinary photograph become interesting when it’s have a little spot that attract attentions. With landscape- photography, try to develop fascination with adding an object that size is known as attention points to give scale comparison impression.


6. Cropping and Framming

Do cropping or framming to what you see in viewfinder. One of the easiest ways to improve your photography is with careful attention to framing. Look into the corners of the viewfinder to see what is there. Do you need all that background? Can you get closer to your subject or zoom in? Would the picture look better as an upright or landscape? Don’t get wrong exposition.. like the photograph below..


Want it to take a shoot of the photographer (friend of mine) –when he was unpacking his camera to get ready taking a shoot of landscape..but somehow I’ve lost my mind, and framming it with ‘huge’ background.

7. KISS..!! (after A. Jiem)

And the last but no least, is a KISS, Keep It Simple, Stupid!! Ho..ho..ho.. I’ve thought that –in many conditions, the best choice is to take it simple. It’s difficult for most people to view a photograph which have too many spot that attract attentions. So just concentrate at one interesting spot and expose it!!