Tip Tuesday: Compositions

I know I say this every time...but this is really important to me! The composition of my photos is one of the key things I focus on to emphasis my style. I strive to have strong, consistent compositions. Compositions that are artistic, yet simple.

Like I mentioned in my 2nd Tip Tuesday post; composition: "the act or process of composing, specifically : arrangement into specific proportion or relation and especially into artistic form". In my words concerning specifically wedding & portrait photography, where the subjects are in the photo in relation to how they are uniquely framed in the photo. 

Having strong compositions will make the subjects in your photos pop, without being distracting. When "composing" your photos there are a few things you should think about. One, where your subjects are in relation to the edges of the photos (how they are framed in the photo). Regardless of your composition, having clean straight edges is important. Think about if you want all of your subject in the photo, not touching any of the edges or if you want to crop your photo in more and have your subjects go beyond the edges of your photo. These two varieties give a very different feel to your photo. Having your composition cropped in closer, with the subject beyond the edges will give you a more intimate, close feel. Where, having a composition with your subjects completely framed in the photo, or partially framed (with one or two sides touching the edge), will allow you to focus more on what is going on in the photo, seeing it more from a distance. Not sure if that makes any sense, haha. (Email me if you need clarification).

The second thing you should think about is what poses your subjects are in in relation to your composition. Different compositions will emphasis different poses...as well as different poses will emphasis different compositions. They work together :) A dramatic landscape shot of your subjects (say a bride & groom)...will need to matched with a dramatic/exaggerated pose or your subjects will get lost in the photo. Below is an example of this.

A more simple pose is well matched with a simple composition. That way focusing mainly on the pose, without distracting from it. As I always say, you don't want your composition & angles to distract from your subjects and what's going on in the photo, you want them to enhance it. So if at first glance your viewer is automatically drawn to your composition/angle the photo is taken at...and fails to see your subjects and what's going on with them, most likely you need to take a step back and simplify your angle & composition.

And thirdly when composing your photos, think about your backdrop/background. What your subject is standing in front of should effect how you compose the photo. Think about the lines in your background. Are they more vertical...or more horizontal? Say you have a tall building and your lines are more vertical, your going to want to compose your photo in such a way that complements this. If your lines are more horizontal, your going to want to compose your photo in more of a landscape fashion. Below are a couple examples of this :)

 Just remember when composing your photos, little changes make a big difference. And pay attention to the details of where your subject is in the photo. Don't crop out a part of the subject that you don't intentionally try to crop.  Keep your lines straight & parallel no matter what the composition. Be consistent in your compositions, to once again emphasis your style. Please, please email me if you have any questions about this! I know it was a lot of information crammed in...and it's very late in the night/early morning...so forgive me if it doesn't make a lot of sense, lol! Thanks for reading and have a happy tuesday!

Katelyn :)