Tangents
Photographic <i>Composition </i>
Lighting is key. Photo: Ihtisham Kabir
Technology has placed cameras in the hands of more people than ever, but good photographs remain rare despite the extraordinary number of photos taken every day. Friends who are disappointed by their photos often ask me how to improve them. The good news: the “Auto” or “P” button in your digital camera eliminates many technical challenges. But as a photographer you still need to think about aesthetics. The viewfinder of a camera, with its well-defined rectangular boundary, is like an artist's canvas. Your goal is to arrange your subject inside it so it looks pleasing and communicates the message you are sending with your photograph. This is called photographic composition. The first thing is to know what you want to say. Many compelling photographs have a simple message, for example, “Look, that's my child, isn't she beautiful!” or “What a sad situation.” Sometimes this message is obvious, but it is important for the photographer to recognise it and believe in it. Once you know what to say, there are many ingredients at your disposal which you can mix and match to make your point. Light is the critical ingredient that can make or break a photograph. You must pay attention to it. This is not rocket science; you simply need to look at how the light falling on your subject and surroundings illuminates them. With practice you will understand how your camera translates that light. For example, bright sunlight can often be harsh - particularly on skin tones - and lead to disappointment. Wait until early morning or late afternoon if possible, when softer light will give pleasing results. If you must shoot at midday, try to find a shady spot. Where does one place the subject in the viewfinder? Your first instinct may be to centre it. But this can yield a boring picture. Offset slightly to one side while maintaining the balance of the photo for interesting results. Frame the subject to direct the viewer's attention. The position of the camera relative to the subject impacts your photograph. You can move the camera up, down, or sideways. When photographing a child, place yourself at his height for a natural look. Try not to tilt the camera and your horizontal and vertical lines will look correct. This is important for buildings and trees. Timing is important. Often, a split second can make a difference. Point your camera at the person you are photographing and wait for the right moment. With moving subjects, anticipate the “decisive” moment and press the shutter just before that. If your subject is static, try to photograph it during the best time of the day. Colours add brightness, energy and mood to your photograph. They also bring out our feelings. For example, green may be soothing while blue can denote solitude or sadness. Usually colours look more pleasing in soft light than in bright sunlight. Most of all, work at it. A little planning and effort will go a long way towards improving your photographs.
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