Tag: Foreground Composition

Enhancing Composition Using Balance in Photography

by photobuddiesin

One of the ways to make your photos appealing, is using different subjects in the frame that bring a balance in your photo. This composition technique helps in achieving an equal visual weight – different parts of the picture command the viewer’s attention in equal measure.

We’ve explained Composition techniques like Rule of Thirds, Centred Composition, Leading Lines, Fill the Frame, Pattern & Texture, Rule of Odds, Colour Theory, Frame within a Frame, Simplicity & Minimalism, Rule of Space, Left to Right Rule, Isolate the Subject, Negative Space, Foreground Composition, Panning and Change your Point of View in our previous blogs. Now, let’s understand Balance in Photography!

Protips:

How to Create Perfectly Balanced & Visually Appealing Photographs

Frame two subjects of same/different sizes on opposite sides of the image

You can frame two or more subjects of same/ different sizes to compose a balanced image. Remember, that it is not essential that subjects framed in the pic to bring balance, have to be of the same size. What matters is that, they are placed on the opposite sides of the frame.

Below is the image of Goddess Ganga & Lord Shiva taken at River Ganga -Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Balance in Photography 

Here, the huge statue of Goddess Ganga – on the left side of the image – complements the small statue of Lord Shiva – on the right side of the image. Without having the small statue of Lord Shiva in the frame, the right side of the picture would look empty & unappealing.

Go for Centred Composition over Rule of Thirds

Below is the Stone Pyramid shot at the Ganges River- Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Balance Composition

The pic evokes a feeling of balance & tranquillity, isn’t it? Well, the image was composed placing the Stone Pyramid at the centre of the image; if the Stone Pyramid was framed either on the left side or right side of the image – it would have made that respective side of the image heavier, failing to create a sense of balance.

Use Foreground Composition

Take a look at the below image of Tera Manzil Temple (Trayambakeshwar Temple) near Lakshman Jhula at Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Balance visual weight photography

You will notice that the Temple – on the right side of the image – is counterbalanced by the Rocks – on the left side of the image. If the photo was captured from a different angle without framing the rocks at the foreground or left side of the image, it would have created an empty space on the left side of the image.

Here’s another example where the Cascading Waterfall (Elephant Falls at Meghalaya) is balanced by the Moving Boat at the Foreground

Balance in DSLR Photography

We bring you ‘Jo & His Camera’ Comic Strips wherein a Magical Camera gives DSLR photography tutorials to Jo.

Click on the below Image to see the Comic wherein the Camera explains Jo, the concept of Balance, with the help of practical examples.

Balance Composition in Photography DSLR

How to Use Foreground Composition to Give a 3D Feel to your Photos

by photobuddiesin

Ever wonder how some people manage to click aesthetically pleasing pictures? Well, the answer is quite simple – they use Composition rules/techniques to creatively arrange the various elements present in the scene which instantly draws the viewer’s attention.

We’ve explained Composition techniques like Rule of Thirds, Centred Composition, Leading Lines, Fill the Frame, Pattern & Texture, Rule of Odds, Colour Theory, Frame within a Frame, Simplicity & Minimalism, Rule of Space, Left to Right Rule, Isolate the Subject & Negative Space Composition in our previous blogs. Now, it’s time to move on to the next Composition technique – Foreground Interest & Depth.

What is Foreground in Photography

The Foreground consists of anything that lies between you and your subject.

Foreground in Photography

Look at the above image of the Waterfall

The Rocks in front of the waterfall form the Foreground in the scene.

When to use Foreground Composition in Photography

Foreground in Photography

You can ideally use Foreground Composition while capturing Landscapes, Waterscapes or Seascapes.

What can you use as a Foreground in Photography

  • Rocks in front of a Stream
  • Small Flowers/Plants/Grass in the Mountain area
  • Fossils/Pebbles/Shells on an Island/Beach
  • Fallen Leaves in the Woods

Foreground in Photography

In the above pic, a Moving Boat in front of the Waterfall was used as a Foreground.

Reasons why you should use Foreground Composition in Photography

  • To give a 3D Feel to your Images/ To create a Layered Image
  • To add a sense of depth to your scene
  • It gives the viewer the feeling of being physically present at the photographed place
  • So that the colour, texture, pattern & shape of the foreground object enhances the photo’s visual impact

Take a look at the below image of the Rainbow Falls in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya where the Rocks served as the Foreground Interest

Foreground in Photography

And a picture with a Riverside Setting in Meghalaya where the Rocks & the Stationed Boats form the Foreground

Foreground in Photography

Now, take a look at the below images of these places – the Image on the Left is without any Foreground & the Image on the Right with a Foreground

Foreground in Photography

Foreground in Photography

  • In both the above images, you clearly notice that the Images on the Left (without any Foreground) are FLAT Images whereas the Images on the Right (with a Foreground) are more appealing due to the 3D Feel & sense of depth.

Protips:

  • Look for Natural Objects in the Surroundings that can serve as the Foreground Interest
  • Use Wide Angle Lens to capture all the elements in the scene
  • Try lowering your camera angle or adjust the angle in such a way that you are able to include the Foreground Object, inside the frame.

We bring you ‘Jo & His Camera’ Comic Strips wherein a Magical Camera gives DSLR photography tutorials to Jo.

Click on the below Image to see the Comic wherein the Camera explains Jo, the concept of Foreground Interest & Depth with the help of practical examples.

Foreground in Photography