Table of Content
You have to learn the composition basics to take good pictures. Let’s talk about key rules and techniques:
The rule of thirds
It’s the basic rule of composition, and even inexperienced photographers can use it. The point is that you need to divide an image into thirds, using two horizontal and two vertical lines, and position the most important elements of your picture at the intersection points.
Use this technique when shooting the horizon: place the sky and the ground in the third of your image, leaving the other two thirds for the main subject, for example, for a seagull. Think about what’s most important in your photo and give it more space.
For your convenience, on iOS, you can enable grid lines in the settings, then these lines will be displayed when shooting.
Leading lines
Pay attention to the natural lines that appear in a photograph – horizon lines or houses shapes. Your task is to draw the viewer’s eye towards a specific point of interest. In other words, these lines help viewers see the main subject.
Diagonal lines
If you want to add a sense of action to an image, use diagonal lines. Remember that ascending lines put you in a good mood, and descending ones work the other way around.
Frames
It’s a technique that will help your photos become more interesting – find a natural frame for your story. It can be anything you see: doors, arches, a pattern on the fence, rock crevice, and windows.
Contrast
Try to find the contrast between background and subjects – so your photo will become more expressive. The contrast can be either color or black and white.
Frame filling
Get close to the subject and fill your photograph with more of it. This technique works great with both portraits and objects.
Dominant eye
If you’re shooting a person, center the eye of your model in the middle of the frame. This technique will give the impression that the eyes follow you.
Textures
Textures and patterns perfectly attract the viewer’s attention. The simplest way to convey texture is with a detail shot: try to shoot a house roof surface or a banana branch. Add a bright element as well as the texture – it’ll highlight key points of the picture.
Symmetry
People love symmetry and try to find it everywhere. You can notice it right in front of you and capture a shot. Viewers won’t just enjoy the perfect halves but also look for inaccuracies and differences, so they won’t take their eyes off your photo for a long time.
The golden triangle
This rule is more often used when shooting food, subject layouts, or a detail photo. Divide your frame in half diagonally and then draw two lines that will be perpendicular next from each of the two empty corners. Now, you can position objects inside a few of these triangles.
The golden ratio
It can be used when shooting animals or some twisted objects. It’s important to position an object so that your viewer’s attention falls on the spiral part.
Use these simple rules, design your final shots with Ninetales, tag us and post them on Instagram!
