Photography for Beginners: Pt 8: Mastering Composition in Photography

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

Are your photos lacking that "wow" factor? Have you ever wondered why some images seem to draw you in while others fall flat? The secret lies in composition—the art of arranging elements within your frame to create visually captivating and meaningful photographs. Now that you know how to properly focus your photos, set the white balance and consider the exposure triangle, let's learn what to actually include in the photo.

Sections: Why is Composition Important?, How to Compose Your Shots Correctly, Signs of Poor Composition

Why is Composition Important?

Composition is the backbone of every great photograph. It's the difference between a mundane snapshot and a stunning work of art. Proper composition can:

• Tell a Story: Effective composition helps you convey your intended message or story within a single frame.

• Guide the Viewer: It leads the viewer's eye through the image, highlighting important elements and creating visual flow.

• Evoke Emotions: Composition can elicit emotions and reactions, whether it's a sense of tranquility, excitement, or nostalgia.

• Add Interest: A well-composed photo captures attention and keeps viewers engaged.

Photo by dulhiier on Unsplash

Now, let's delve into how you can achieve effective composition in your photographs.

How to Compose Your Shots Correctly

Rule 1- Rule of Thirds: One of the most fundamental composition techniques is the Rule of Thirds. Imagine dividing your frame into a 3x3 grid, and place your subject or key elements at the intersections or along the lines. This creates balance and visual interest. In Pt 2 you learned how to turn on the grid on your camera- now is the time to use it!

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

Rule 2- Leading Lines: Use natural or man-made lines (e.g., roads, rivers, fences) to guide the viewer's eye into the image or toward the main subject.

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

Rule 3- Framing: Frame your subject with elements in the foreground (e.g., branches, arches) to draw attention to the main subject and add depth to your composition.

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

Rule 4-Symmetry and Balance: Achieve balance by placing elements of equal visual weight on both sides of the frame. Alternatively, use symmetrical compositions for a harmonious and calming effect.

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

Rule 5- Foreground Interest: Include something of interest in the foreground to add depth and dimension to your photos, making the viewer feel like they're part of the scene.

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

Rule 6- Negative Space: Leave empty space around your subject to emphasize it and create a sense of minimalism or isolation.

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

Rule 7- Texture and Patterns: Incorporate textures and repeating patterns to add visual interest and intrigue to your images.

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

Rule 8- Scale and Perspective: Play with the size and perspective of your subjects to create a sense of scale and depth. For example, juxtapose a small subject against a vast landscape.

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

Signs of Poor Composition

Recognizing poor composition is just as crucial as understanding good composition. Here are some signs that your composition may be lacking:

• Clutter: Too many elements competing for attention can confuse the viewer and dilute your message. If your photo doesn't have a clear subject, that could be a sign that there are too many focus points.

• Tangents: Avoid having elements in your frame that appear to touch at the edges, as this can create visual distractions (there is a way to use tangents in a good way, but we'll learn that later).

• Uneven Balance: If the composition feels unbalanced or tilted, it may make the viewer uncomfortable.

Your Homework

Take 8 photos. Each photo should focus on one of the 8 aspects of good composition you learned today.

Looking through your old photos, which aspect of composition do you need to improve on the most?

• Clutter
• Tangents
• Uneven Balance

These 8 blog posts cover a lot of what you need to know in order to start taking good photos, but there is still SO much more! Refer to this beginner's guide until you've gotten everything down and it becomes second nature to you. Repeat the homework assignments as needed and track your progress. You'll know you're ready to move on when you can tell the difference between a good photo and a bad one. Once you know what to look for, you can start learning about different lenses, creative ideas, photo editing, and lighting set-ups!

Sections: Why is Composition Important?, How to Compose Your Shots Correctly, Signs of Poor Composition

Photography for Beginners: Pt 7: White Balance & getting the Perfect Colors for your Photos

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

In the last post, we talked about the exposure triangle and how important it is to get the perfect exposure level in your photos. Now let's talk about white balance. When it comes to photography, achieving accurate and vibrant colors can make or break your images. One of the essential tools in your photographic arsenal for achieving this is "white balance." In this guide, we'll delve into everything you need to know about white balance, including how it affects your photos, why it's crucial, and how to master it.

Sections: Understanding White Balance, Why White Balance Matters, Tools for Adjusting White Balance, How to Adjust White Balance, Creative White Balance

Understanding White Balance

White balance is like a magic wand for photographers, helping you capture lifelike colors under different lighting conditions. It's all about getting the colors in your photos to look as they do in real life. But how does it work?

The Color Temperature Scale:

• Picture a spectrum of light temperatures, ranging from warm, reddish hues to cooler, bluish tones. This is the color temperature scale, measured in Kelvins (K). For instance, a cozy indoor setting might have a low temperature of around 2000K, resulting in warm, yellowish light, while midday sunlight can reach 5500-6500K, giving off a cooler, bluish light.

• Yes you read that correctly- Higher Kelvins produce a "cooler" looking light. Lower Kelvins produce a "warmer" light.

The color temperature scale, measured in Kelvins

Why White Balance Matters

White balance matters because it ensures your images faithfully represent the colors you see with your own eyes. An accurate white balance creates harmony and realism, while incorrect settings can distort colors, making them appear too warm (orange) or too cool (blue).

Tools for Adjusting White Balance

Auto White Balance (AWB): Your camera's AWB mode automatically adjusts white balance based on the lighting conditions. It's a great starting point but not always perfect.

Presets: Cameras offer preset white balance options like Daylight, Tungsten, and Cloudy, which are handy for quick adjustments.

What each preset is for:

• Daylight: For outdoor shots under natural daylight.

• Cloudy or Shade: Used when shooting in overcast or shaded conditions.

• Incandescent or Tungsten: For indoor shots with tungsten lighting (common in homes, artificial light is usually a "warm" reddish color)

• Fluorescent: Suitable for indoor shots under fluorescent (bright white) lighting.

Custom White Balance: For ultimate accuracy, you can set a custom white balance by photographing a white or neutral gray reference card under the same lighting conditions as your subject.

Kelvin Setting: More advanced cameras allow precise white balance adjustments using the Kelvin temperature scale.

Post-Processing: You can fine-tune white balance during post-processing using software like Lightroom.

How to Adjust White Balance

• Smartphones: Open the camera app on your smartphone. Depending on your smartphone's make and model, you may have a dedicated white balance setting or an auto mode that adjusts it automatically. If there's a dedicated white balance setting, you can typically access it by tapping an icon or going into the camera settings. In the white balance menu, you'll often find presets like "Daylight," "Cloudy," "Incandescent," and "Fluorescent." Select the one that matches the lighting conditions, or use the auto white balance option.

• Point and Shoots: Look for a "WB" or "White Balance" button or option on your camera. It might be labeled as such, or it may have icons representing different lighting conditions. Choose the appropriate white balance preset for your current lighting conditions or use the custom white balance option if available. Follow the camera's instructions to set the white balance.

• DSLR and Mirrorless: Depending on the model, you may have a dedicated WB button or a WB setting in the camera menu. Access the white balance menu and select the desired white balance preset or use the custom white balance option. For custom white balance, you'll typically need to take a reference photo of a neutral gray or white surface (like a white sheet of paper) under the same lighting conditions as your subject. Follow the camera's instructions to set the custom white balance using the reference photo.

Creative White Balance

Don't be afraid to get creative! Experimenting with white balance can yield artistic effects. For instance, using a tungsten white balance in daylight conditions can give photos a cool, blue cast.

Examples of creative lighting in photos to convey certain emotions:

Photo by danielmirlea on Unsplash

Photo by jawfox_photography on Unsplash

By learning the basics of white balance, you'll unlock the potential to create stunning photos that accurately reflect the colors and moods of the scenes you capture. So, grab your camera and explore different lighting scenarios!

Your Homework

Take the same photo 3 different times, using different lighting settings. Try to take a warm photo, a cool photo, and a neutral photo.

What Lighting Is Your Favorite?

• Bright fluorescent
• Warm, cozy tones
• Blue, chilly tones
• Black and white or grayscale

In the final part of this beginner's series, we're going to learn about composition.

Sections: Understanding White Balance, Why White Balance Matters, Tools for Adjusting White Balance, How to Adjust White Balance, Creative White Balance

Photography for Beginners: Pt 6: The Exposure Triangle

BlueJayPhotosNThings.com

Previously, we discussed the 3 pillars of the exposure triangle (also known as the photographic triangle): ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Now that we understand what those three settings are on their own and we've had a chance to play around with them, we're going to go in-depth about how they all affect each other and how to get the perfect exposure for your photos. These settings have a direct impact on the final image and can be adjusted to achieve the desired creative and technical results.

Sections: How ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture Interact, List of Interactions, What is Perfect Exposure?, Getting the Best Exposure with Different Types of Cameras, How to Use the Light Meter on DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras

Just as a reminder, let's quickly recap ISO, shutter speed, and aperture:

• ISO: Your camera's sensitivity to light

• Shutter Speed: How long the camera's sensor is exposed to light

• Aperture: The size of the opening in the camera's lens that allows light to enter

How ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture Interact in the Exposure Triangle

ISO and Aperture: Increasing ISO can compensate for a smaller aperture, allowing you to maintain a proper exposure in low light. However, higher ISO may introduce noise.

Shutter Speed and ISO: If you increase the shutter speed to freeze motion, you might need to raise the ISO to maintain a balanced exposure, especially in low light.

Aperture and Shutter Speed: If you want to shoot with a faster shutter speed, you can make the aperture larger to make up for the lack of time.

The Exposure Triangle - BlueJay

This list helps give you a better idea of how to achieve what you're looking for. Click each one to view the details. I made it this way so that you can have the ones you want to use open and easy to access in a pinch when needed.

1) High ISO, Narrow Aperture, Fast Shutter Speed

For freezing fast-moving subjects with a deep depth of field in low-light conditions.

ISO can help low light but may add grain to the photo.

You may choose this setting if you prioritize freezing action over minimizing noise.

2) High ISO, Narrow Aperture, Slow Shutter Speed

For a well-exposed photo with a deep depth of field in low-light conditions.

Risks blurriness due to the slow shutter speed.

Use with a tripod or image stabilization to prevent blur.

3) High ISO, Wide Aperture, Fast Shutter Speed

For fast-moving subjects with a shallow depth of field in low light.

High ISO might add grain.

Use when you need both action freezing and some background blur.

4) High ISO, Wide Aperture, Slow Shutter Speed

For a blurred photo with a shallow depth of field

Risks overexposure in bright light.

It's not typically used in practice due to the risk of overexposure.

5) Low ISO, Narrow Aperture, Fast Shutter Speed

For fast moving subjects with a deep depth of field in well-lit conditions.

Doesn't add grain.

It's a standard choice for well-lit scenes.

6) Low ISO, Narrow Aperture, Slow Shutter Speed

For a well-exposed photo with a deep depth of field.

May require a tripod if motion blur is not desired.

It's suitable for well-lit scenes.

7) Low ISO, Wide Aperture, Fast Shutter Speed

For fast moving subjects with a shallow depth of field in well-lit conditions.

Risks underexposure if there's not enough available light.

8) Low ISO, Wide Aperture, Slow Shutter Speed

For a blurred photo with a shallow depth of field in well-lit conditions.

Risks underexposure in certain situations.

Typically used when motion blur is wanted in well-lit conditions.

Remember that the "perfect" settings depend on your creative intent and the specific shooting conditions, so don't hesitate to experiment to achieve the desired results.

Photo by ffstop on Unsplash

What is perfect exposure?

A photo with good exposure typically has well-balanced lighting, with details in both highlights and shadows. Overexposed images are too bright, with blown-out highlights, while underexposed images lack detail in the shadows.

• Use a light meter or the camera's built-in metering system to gauge the exposure.

• Adjust ISO, aperture, and shutter speed until the meter indicates proper exposure (often at "0" on the meter).

Getting the best exposure with different types of cameras:

• Smartphone Camera: Smartphone cameras have automatic modes that handle exposure settings for you. To optimize exposure manually, tap on the area of the frame where you want to set the exposure, and the camera will adjust settings accordingly.

• Point and Shoots: These cameras often have semi-automatic modes (e.g., aperture priority, shutter priority) that allow you to control one setting while the camera adjusts the others automatically. Consult your camera's manual for guidance.

• DSLR and Mirrorless: These offer full manual control, allowing you to adjust ISO, aperture, and shutter speed independently (see previous 3 posts for more info). Use the camera's built-in light meter or an external light meter for precise exposure.

Photo by billyfreeman on Unsplash

How to use the light meter on DSLR and Mirrorless cameras:

• In the Viewfinder:
  

  • Look through the viewfinder and half-press the shutter button to activate the camera's metering system.

  • You'll often see a scale with a pointer or a series of bars on the bottom or side of the viewfinder. This is the light meter.

  • Adjust your camera's settings (ISO, aperture, and shutter speed) until the pointer or bars align with a central marker or "0." This indicates proper exposure.

  • If the pointer is to the left of "0," it means the image is underexposed (too dark), and you may need to open the aperture, slow down the shutter speed, or increase the ISO.

  • If the pointer is to the right of "0," it means the image is overexposed (too bright), and you may need to close the aperture, increase the shutter speed, or lower the ISO.

• On the LCD Screen:
  

  • When you review your image on the camera's LCD screen, you can often access a histogram or exposure information.

  • The histogram is a graph that represents the distribution of brightness levels in your image. It can help you assess exposure and ensure that you're not losing detail in highlights or shadows. You don't want the graph to look lop-sided.

  • The exposure information may include settings like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, as well as a visual representation of the light meter.

With these tips, you should be shooting photos with perfect exposure in no time! Mastering all of these techniques might seem overwhelming at first, but breaking it up into bite-sized pieces and practicing will make it second-nature eventually.

Your Homework

Try shooting at least one photo with each of the 8 combinations of ISO, shutter speed and aperture settings and pick which combination would suit the majority of the photographs you want to take based off your style.

What type of photos suits your style best?

• Photos with a deep DOF
• Photos with a shallow DOF
• Stylistically blurry photos with a deep DOF
• Stylistically blurry photos with a shallow DOF

See All Options

On the next post, we're going to move onto another fundamental part of good photography: white balance.

Sections: How ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture Interact, List of Interactions, What is Perfect Exposure?, Getting the Best Exposure with Different Types of Cameras, How to Use the Light Meter on DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras