Now that you have a subject in your viewfinder, what makes a pleasing composition?
The answers will vary, and usually there is not a right/wrong way. First of all, what is being photographed? If it is going to move, shoot and crop later. With that said, many times the overall appeal of a photograph is not an accident. Rather, the photographer gave thought to a number of “little” things that tend to “make” or “break” the success of the photo.
Vertical or horizontal orientation is perhaps the first consideration. Without the specifics of every component within the photograph, does an oceanscape sound like a good candidate for a vertical composition? Does a tall wildflower with a butterfly on the blossom sound like a horizontal composition? Probably not, at arms length, though that could change depending on the unstated factors.
Many times an eye-level view carries the most impact or punch. Sometimes, though, a bird’s-eye view (looking down), or a worm’s eye view (looking up) is chosen. Tripod (standing) height, is often more boring than lying on the ground or shooting from an elevation.
Subject placement within the composition is another consideration. Usually a subject moving “into” a composition is more pleasing than one moving “out” of the composition. And occasionally symmetry has a place.
Study the examples below:
Also note that this deer works well as a vertical composition, while Seneca Rocks (see above) works best as a horizontal. Photo © Kevin Shank.
