3 tips for composition

Introduction: The most basic elements of composition are lines, forms, textures, colors and the space that holds these elements. Converging lines can illustrate perspective relationships, but not all photos need to show depth of perspective. Many great photographs feature flat patterns. Therefore, how to compose a picture, just like how to choose the subject, light, and color, can also express a photographer's unique personal style.

Use the horizon

The position of the horizon in the picture has a great impact on the visual effect of the photo, so you should pay attention to it when composing the picture. The horizon generally has three forms of expression in composition: low horizon, high horizon, and golden section horizon.

High and low horizon composition

When shooting, raise the lens slightly to get a low horizon picture. Its characteristic is that the scenery in the sky occupies the majority of the picture, which is conducive to expressing the scenery in the vast sky and making the picture appear fresh and lofty. When there is a rainbow, morning glow or sunset glow in the sky, you can take this shooting method and use the momentum of the sky to highlight the scenery on the ground.

When shooting, lower the lens slightly to get a high-horizon picture. When the focus of the scene you want to express is the ground scene, or there are not many details in the sky, you can raise the horizon. The characteristic of high horizon composition is that the scenery on the ground takes up most of the picture, and the visual effect is easy to appear far-reaching, full of nature and life. The composition of a high horizon is conducive to showing the vast space on the open ground, and is suitable for expressing the depth of the scenery below the eye level.

Aperture: F11 Exposure time: 1/2000s ISO: 100 Focal length: 24mm. A low-horizon picture needs to be matched by a rich sky environment to enhance the breadth of the overall picture.

Aperture: F8 Exposure time: 1/1000s ISO: 200 Focal length: 35mm. When there are not many details in the sky, you can use the high horizon method to express the foreground as the main part of the picture.

In addition to using the high horizon composition method mentioned above, the above picture also uses reflection as an element in the composition. At the same time, use a polarizer to adjust the clarity and contrast of the reflection on the water to enhance the reflection effect.

Golden section horizon composition

When shooting, keeping the lens at a normal angle will produce a general horizon picture, and its visual effect is similar to what the human eye sees. In general horizon pictures, the position of the horizon is often allocated according to the golden ratio. The picture on the right is an example of a general horizon. The areas occupied by the ground and the sky make the overall picture look very balanced.

As for whether the horizon can be placed in the center of the picture, it depends on the specific situation. Many people think that having the horizon in the center of the picture will divide the picture into two parts of exactly the same size, making the picture look too dull. But there are no absolutes. When shooting water reflections, it is very suitable to place the horizon in the center of the picture. Therefore, the position arrangement of the horizon should mainly be determined according to the needs of the theme of the picture.

Aperture: F5.6 Exposure time: 1/800s ISO: 200 Focal length: 16mm. Standard golden section horizon composition.