Framing and composition for landscape photography

Introduction: The easiest way for beginners to get started with landscape photography is to learn photography composition well. There are ever-changing methods of photographic composition. Starting from the most basic and commonly used compositions will be of great help to improve the photographer's technique. Next, we will introduce several common landscape photography compositions. Viewing composition for landscape photography

Rule of thirds composition

Natural beauty shot with a simple and regular rule of thirds composition always has infinite charm

Aperture F16 exposure time 1/100s, focal length 36mm, sensitivity 100

The rule of thirds is one of the most commonly used compositions in landscape photography. For landscape photography, especially large scenes of natural scenery, such as the sea, large forests, grasslands and other landscapes with a horizon, the rule of thirds is the most secure composition method. During the composition process, photographers only need to align the horizon or tree trunks with the three-section line of the picture. Then, they can also try to arrange other subjects such as flowers, rocks, and trees on the nine-square grid line cut into three equal parts of the picture. This kind of landscape composition can not only express a broad sense of space and a sense of balance in the picture, but also better highlight the subject.

Vertical line composition

The lines of tall trees create vertical lines The composition can bring a sense of stability,

The different colors of leaves and fallen leaves create a cozy feeling in the forest

Aperture F8, exposure time 1/5s, focal length 18mm

< p> Vertical lines are exactly the opposite of horizontal lines. Vertical line composition can also give people a sense of stability and balance. This composition method is generally suitable for expressing vertical and tall objects, such as trees, buildings, water flows, etc. Vertical line composition can also exist in the form of the rule of thirds. Unlike horizontal lines, vertical line composition arranges the subject in a vertical position. For vertical line composition, not only can a single vertical line object be expressed, but when multiple vertical line objects are expressed at the same time, the overall strength and form of the picture can be expressed more specifically.

Oblique line composition

The use of oblique line composition, coupled with the colorful color of the main body and the modification of light, give the picture a sense of vitality and rhythm

Aperture F11, exposure time 1/125s, focal length 195mm

Diagonal composition is usually expressed in the form of diagonal lines, which can create a sense of vitality and rhythm. This composition is more common when showing the stacked ridges of mountains and hilly areas. The photographer uses the camera in his hand to compose the picture using slanted lines based on the shape of the object itself. And you can use certain side light or side backlight to enhance the three-dimensional sense of the picture, while avoiding the rigidity of the picture.

Curved composition

The winding road on the dam looks like a giant python traveling through the mountains and wild ridges

Aperture F5, exposure time 1/450s, focal length 14mm

For landscape photography, there are many kinds of beautiful curves, whether they are naturally generated or artificially carved, their softness and dynamic expression add endless charm to the natural scenery.

Curve composition requires the photographer to grasp the special shape of the subject and adjust the shooting angle and field of view when shooting, so as to make the shape of the object more lively. Since the shape of curves does not have a relatively fixed form, when using curves to compose a picture, the key depends on how the photographer grasps and expresses the shape of the object. Especially for subjects such as rivers, lakes and seas, it is crucial for photographers to be able to extract some complex but not chaotic curve shapes from the winding curves. Relatively speaking, it is much simpler to represent artificially constructed curves such as roads and buildings.

Diagonal composition

Use the diagonal direction of the fence to inject a bit of movement into the unique scene

Aperture F5.6 Exposure time 1/ 125s, focal length 300mm, sensitivity 100

The diagonal line is the longest straight line in the picture, which can incorporate movement into the picture. Diagonal composition is a composition method that emphasizes directionality. It not only gives people a sense of power and direction in the picture, but also enhances the momentum of the subject itself and the overall impact of the picture. In the process of using diagonal lines to compose the picture, the photographer can not only express the shape of the subject itself directly in the picture, such as using the slope of the mountain to compose the picture, but also arrange the direction of the diagonal line and perspective distortion. principle, showing a three-dimensional sense in a two-dimensional picture. This diagonal composition method is particularly prominent when representing objects such as railroad tracks and wooden bridges.

Tunnel-style composition

The use of tunnel-style composition further highlights the tallness and steepness of the cliff, and at the same time gives people the feeling of meeting on a narrow road and the brave will win

Aperture F5.6 Exposure time 1/125s, focal length 28mm, sensitivity 100

Tunnel composition generally refers to those picture compositions with dark surroundings and bright center, which can give people a sense of concentration and calmness. Tunnel-style compositions are generally used to express objects such as cliffs and high rocks that can create a contrast between strong and weak and have a strong concentration.

Radial composition

Using a wide-angle lens, looking up at the sky, photographed the densely growing woods in a radial pattern

Aperture F10, exposure time 1/250s, focal length 10mm

Radial composition can express an openness, a sense of vitality and a high atmosphere. This composition is more common in the process of expressing objects such as light or trees. This composition is relatively abstract and requires careful observation by the photographer to achieve this composition. Generally speaking, the linear direction of the radial composition is mainly stretched up, down, left, and right from a certain concentrated point, which can show stretched openness and a certain sense of strength. < /p>

When doing landscape photography, using the distance method to compose the picture can create a sense of distance and distance in the picture. Especially when photographing landscapes such as grasslands, rivers, and seas, the perspective distortion produced by a wide-angle lens is often used to compose shots using the distance method, and the three-dimensional sense and depth of the scene are shown based on the shape of the natural landscape itself. At this time, when the photographer composes the picture, it is best to find a certain object as the foreground, so as to enhance the overall effect of the picture.