how to make strong photographs with 4 simple composition rules
TRANSCRIPT
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How to make strong photographs
Objective of today’s session?
Understand how to think like a photographer
Start taking photographs and not snapshots
First Important Question of the day
What makes a strong photograph?
Captures the interest of the viewer
Communicates or shares a message
© Chris Hondros / 2008 Getty Images
Composed effectively
© Steve McCurry
Second Important Question of the Day
Q: How can YOU make strong photographs?
A: Think like a photographer when you shoot
How does one think like a photographer?
Before you click the shutter, ask yourself:
Is this an effective composition?
Does it capture interest?
Does it communicate what I want it to?
Composition techniques for a strong photograph
‘Rule of Thirds’
Fill the frame
Use an original point of view
Catch the moment
Composition techniques for a strong photograph
Rule of Thirds
Imagine two lines dividing the photo into equal sections
Position the subject on one of these lines
© Deshan Tennekoon
Rule of Thirds
© Deshan Tennekoon
Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds
Creates:
Tension
Energy
Interest
Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds
Focus first
Recompose
1. Half-Press the shutter to lock focus
Half-Press Focus
Half-Press Focus
2. Hold shutter and recompose
Half-Press Focus
3. Push the shutter down all the way gently
Half-Press Focus
Step 1: Point at subject and half-press to focus
Step 1: Point at subject and half-press to focus
Step 2: Hold button and recompose
Step 3: Squeeze shutter
Half-Press Focus
Composition techniques for a strong photograph
‘Rule of Thirds’
Fill the frame
Use an original point of view
Catch the moment
Fill the frame
Only keep the elements that ADD to your picture
Remember the environment can add to your picture
Crop the photo later to fill it if you need to
Fill the frame
© Steve McCurry
Only keep elements that add to the picture
Fill the frame
Here the environment adds to the picture
Fill the frameCrop the photo later to fill up the frame
Composition techniques for a strong photograph
‘Rule of Thirds’
Fill the frame
Use an original point of view
Catch the moment
Point of view
Don’t take the same picture everyone else has
Point of view
Point of view
Point of viewIs there a more interesting way to tell the same story?
Is there a more interesting way to tell the same story?
Point of view
Point of viewIs there a more interesting way to tell the same story?
Composition techniques for a strong photograph
‘Rule of Thirds’
Fill the frame
Use an original point of view
Catch the moment
Catch the moment
© Henri Cartier-Bresson
© Jodi Cobb
Catch the moment
Catch the moment
Anticipate the action - Keep both eyes open
Pre-focus the camera (Half-press technique)
Patience!
© Sasi Shanmugarajah
Catch the moment
Catch the moment
Composition techniques for a strong photograph
‘Rule of Thirds’
Fill the frame
Use an original point of view
Catch the moment
Take-away message
Think about these guide-lines every time you take a photo