Composition method of landscape photography

Lead: If Google search is changed to search for pictures related to the word "composition", the highest probability of occurrence must be the golden section ratio (not the golden section ratio XD of sapphire) and tic-tac-toe composition. The so-called golden ratio is 1: 1.6 18. Let's take a closer look.

The original composition is proportional relationship.

When we observe the scene in front of us through the "observation window", we press the shutter and record the image by the "photosensitive element". The aspect ratio of the observation window and the photosensitive element is exactly 2: 3, which is similar to the golden ratio 1: 1.6 18, so the golden ratio has an indissoluble bond with photography.

▲ The photosensitive element is 2: 3, which is close to the golden ratio 1: 1.6 18. The author will draw the blueprint of composition directly on the photosensitive element for your reference.

Composition determines everything?

Although composition doesn't necessarily determine everything in a photo, composition is the first step in taking a photo. Photography is a combination of various trainings, including the foundation of personal aesthetics, the cultivation of aesthetic feeling, the collocation of chromatics, the understanding of light, good composition and correct exposure.

Start synthesis

The composition of the word "composition" refers to the elements that make up an image. "Elements" may be the rules of scene layout, the size ratio of objects, color contrast or the directionality of visual extension, or they may just be "the combination of images". Aside from the basic principles of photography such as aperture, shutter and exposure, composition is the most important spirit of photography. The quality of composition affects the sense of balance, space and proportion of photos. Appropriate composition proportion can even extend the meaning and create an imaginary space outside the photo.

Trinity rule

The rule of trisection is the most basic, simple and commonly used composition technique. Making good use of the rule of thirds can make photos get rid of rigidity, add interest and make photos full of vitality.

▲ Schematic diagram of the most basic three-point composition method.

Trigonometry is the most basic composition principle in composition, and it is often used to arrange foreground, middle and background in landscape photography, which is also the reason why trichotomy is applied to composition. Let's use some examples to illustrate the role of these rules. After understanding the rules, we can certainly break the rules and make full use of various skills to improve our photography skills.

summary

Tick-tac-toe composition is an extension of the dichotomy and the golden ratio. The purpose of using trisection and TIC-tac-toe composition when taking pictures is to make the subject leave the center of the picture, redistribute the layout and increase the interest of the picture. Experience tells me that it is the most comfortable visual effect to divide the photographed picture into one-third and two-thirds States according to the rules. Divide the scene or combination block in the picture into one-third and two-thirds along the imaginary line, which can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

Trigonometry and tic-tac-toe composition are the most commonly used in landscape photography. Although they look like mathematical rules, we can create a visual effect of balanced distribution of pictures by properly using such composition rules, so as to obtain rich and diverse pictures. Making good use of trisection and TIC-tac-toe composition to balance the picture is an important learning course to establish the correct aesthetic choice of photography. Proper use can make the image get rid of the feeling of being too static and complicated.

Reasonable distribution of pictures

After learning the trichotomy, we know that the basic composition is actually a principle of proportional distribution. Through the clever arrangement of the photographer, the picture can be balanced, and more accurate composition can make the picture more harmonious. Try to look at the following photo:

▲ In addition to dividing the sky and landscape into one-third and two-thirds by the three-point method, the highest mountain peak in the picture is just in the left third of the picture, and the total height of the road curve extending from the lower left is also close to two-thirds, and the end point of the road disappearance is also close to the right third of the picture.

▲ Remove the imaginary lines added in the above picture and divide the picture with roads (car tracks), and you will find that the landscape of arrow bamboo is also one third. The sea of clouds under the mountain is about one third of the road, and the sky above the sea of clouds is about one third. Even though these factors are abstract in the photos, careful observation will reveal that there is a reasonable order and organization in the photos.

Does all this mean that when composing a composition, we need to pay attention to the pictures taken, and everything should be completely aimed at two-thirds or two-thirds of the factors? The answer is: not necessarily.

In fact, the details of these compositions are only rough guidelines. When you take pictures, you usually think, "What's the most important thing?" And then think about what to match? What are you filming? The so-called subject is usually the subject, and the scope of the subject does not always appear directly in the photo, but usually matches the scene unfolded or extended from the perspective.

▲ Let's take this photo as an example.

▲ Looking at the composition from the above picture, the plant lines in the foreground invariably point to a disappearing aiming point. These hidden indicators can be found after drawing the lines.

▲ If you draw a horizontal dotted line on the horizon and the right third of the picture, you can guide the aiming point of visual disappearance more clearly.

▲ You can see the distribution principle of the picture more clearly by putting TIC-tac-toe lines.

When shooting a scene, the horizon or horizontal line is usually used to cut the picture and allocate the proportion, and the composition of the upper or lower third of the horizon is taken. For the photographer and the ecology, putting the subject on both sides of the photo composition can make the picture more directional or dynamic. Putting the theme away from the center of the screen can add a sense of direction to the screen vision.

▲ In the above example, the cyclist is placed in the lower right corner because he is moving towards the vanishing point.

Be familiar with the rules and get rid of the restrictions

Trigonometry and TIC-tac-toe composition are only the basic exercises and applications of landscape photography composition, and there is no need to stick to these norms every time you take pictures or start composition. If you insist on painting all the pictures yourself, it will become an invisible shackle. But the basic principles of proportional distribution and directional guidance still apply to all shooting processes. Remember to keep a normal mind, think more, watch more and listen more when taking pictures, and don't let "thinking about how to compose a composition" become your own trouble.

The photo below is neither semi-reflective nor has anything in the third position. On the contrary, everything slightly deviates from the dichotomy or the right center, and there is no case on the right.

An example of breaking the rules is beneficial to symmetry

If you are a student who is studying, before you know all the rules, the teacher must teach the rules to be followed in class. But if you are a free and creative artist, you will feel that all the rules are binding your creation, and the rules are like a cage to imprison you in a narrow space. However, all the rules will be broken after proficiency. This is to use study and time to release inner rebellion. In other words, as long as you want to make a breakthrough, it may be a good opportunity.

One of the core principles of the trichotomy is that it is not ideal to put the subject in the center of the photo. But if you want to emphasize the symmetry of the picture, it is understandable to use half of the composition to reflect the social contrast.

Similarly, in many other cases, it may be a negligible rule, rather than blindly using its three-thirds principle. For example, you may want to make your subject out of balance and deliberately create a disharmonious picture.

At the end of the composition, the most important thing is to ask yourself: what do I want to emphasize? What exactly is this theme? What kind of mood do I want to convey? If the dichotomy can help you achieve these goals, use it. If not, then don't use this theory to compose a composition.

▲ The mountain scenery and sky on the lake only account for 1/4 of the picture. The foreground Miscanthus reduces the proportion of the lake area and balances the picture with the cloud waterfall in the upper right corner.

▲ The purpose of putting the boat in the lower right corner is to balance the weight of the sunrise in the upper left corner. If the boat is removed from the composition, the weight of the whole picture will inevitably shift to the left and lose the balance of the picture.

The significance of the principle of composition lies in: being familiar with the principle before understanding the law, and finally using the law to get rid of the restrictions.