Tag: photography basics

Change your Point of View to Improve Composition in your Photographs

by photobuddiesin

Same location, same scenery, same subject – wonder, how some photos stand out from the rest? Well, the trick is – not to capture an image at the eye level, instead try out a new angle by changing your position.

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 in our previous blogs. Now, let’s understand the next Composition technique – Change your Point of View.

Here’s How to Change your Point of View to Create those Amazing Camera Shots!

  • Position yourself at a greater height than your subject
  • Get down low to photograph your subject
  • Go for a Dutch Angle
  • Let there be someone/something between you and your subject

Position yourself at a greater height than your subject

You can try this – by clicking a picture of a river from a bridge, a monument from the terrace of a building/from your hotel room or a restaurant and so on.

This position will make your subject look smaller which wouldn’t have been possible at an eye level click.

Take a look at the below shots of the breathtaking river in Meghalaya taken from a high angle.

Change your point of view DSLR photography

Change your point of view photography composition

Get down low to photograph your subject

You can capture your subject by positioning yourself – facing towards the sky.

This position will make your subject look larger compared to a click taken at an eye level.

Check out the below example of Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pondicherry taken from a low angle

Change your point of view photography in DLSR photography

Another example of a photo taken from Inside a Cave in Meghalaya

Change your point of view in photography

Go for a Dutch Angle

You can give a creative twist to your picture by using a Dutch Angle – tilting your camera.

This position will help you capture a more dynamic shot of your subject.

Here’s a morning pic of Dawki River with colourful boats at the shore, Meghalaya taken using a Dutch Angle

Change your point of view photography Dutch Angle

Let there be someone/something between you and your subject

You can include a subject along with your main subject while composing your image.

Take a look at the below pic for more clarity

Change your point of view

A different perspective – this photograph depicts a moment of a nature lover trying to capture the beautiful landscape of Meghalaya on his smartphone.

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 Change your Point of View Composition with the help of practical examples.

Change your point of view Photography

Understanding Change your Point of View Composition in Photography

Change your point of view Photography

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

Use Foreground Composition to add a 3D Feel to your Photographs

foreground comic

negative space photography

How Using Negative Space in Photography will Reward You with Amazing Photos

by photobuddiesin

The Secret to Creating Expressive Pictures is using Composition Techniques!

Well, we’ve already seen 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 in our earlier blogs. Now, let’s understand Negative Space Composition.

What is Negative Space in Photography

An Image comprises of the Subject and its Surroundings. The Subject is the Positive Space while the White/Blank/Empty Space surrounding the subject is called the Negative Space.

How to Use Negative Space to Create a Positive Impact on your Photos   

Heard of the phrase – Less is More? Well, it applies in case of Negative Space Composition.

Take a look at the below photograph of a Spider

Negative Space

  • The White Wall acts as the White/Negative Space.
  • While clicking the snap, Focus was set on the Spider.
  • Since there are no distractions in the scene, it draws our attention to every little detail of the spider – the colours, the shape and so on.

Here’s a photograph of 2 Fishermen

Negative Space

  • The River surrounding the fishermen forms the Negative Space.
  • When we look at this picture which was taken in the early morning hours, the Water seems to have a Calming Effect on Us.
  • The picture depicts the Morning Mood as these Fishermen set out in search of fishes.

Check out the pic of the Iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai

Negative Space

  • The gigantic Burj Al Arab is the subject in the photo.
  • The beautifully lit up Sky acts as the Blank/Empty Space.
  • This setting gives the subject, Burj Al Arab, Space to Breathe.

Here’s a picture of a Flower

Negative Space

  • The Flower was captured using the Rule of Thirds Composition which gave way to plenty of Negative Space in the image.
  • Focus was set on the Flower; hence the Background appears Blur.
  • The scene focuses our attention on the Flower.

Below is another example of Negative Space with Blurred Background: Image of a Grasshopper

Negative Space

Take a look at the below photograph of a Buddha Statue

Negative Space

  • The Negative Space around the Buddha Statue makes the picture very attractive.
  • It creates a sense of Minimalism & Simplicity allowing us to focus on the Buddha Statue which evokes a Feeling of Tranquillity.

Well, above is only a Guideline…Photography is all about Experimenting & Developing your Creativity Skills your way…

Protips:

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 Negative Space with the help of practical examples.

Negative Space