Sometimes I get asked the questions of “how do you compose a shot?” The truth is, my eyes just see the shot, and I work with what I see.
But, overtime, by watching other photographers I have learned a few other ways to make a shot look interesting.. and I’d like to share those ideas with you.
1) Look Up
Say you go to your park on a daily basis and you see the same scenery, but ask yourself, how many times have you looked up? It changes the perspective completely. This technique works great, especially if you’re walking on a street, just looking up can create different angles and perspectives for you.
2) Get up close and personal
Having a close shot of a detail of a picture can make for some awesome footage. How many times have you seen a picture, and it turns out it was just one item, but because of how it was composed, it worked.
3) Whatever you’re focusing on in your shot, move that detail to the left or the right.
By doing this your eyes will avert to that detail in your shot. Also, depending on where you place your focus will make or break the shot entirely.
4) Pay Attention to the background in your photograph
How many times have you taken a photo, and when you get it back you’re disappointed because there’s a garbage can in the background, or someone was walking by, or you see something you missed entirely.
Well, start thinking about your shot, and look for those background items before taking your shot. Today, for example, I was at the park taking photos with some friends, and lo and behold, I noticed garbage cans in the background, or the sun, or someone walking by. I’d wait a little bit, or move myself a little to the left to take those background items out of the shot. It made the shot work, whereas, if I left those items in, it’d be a different picture completely.
To me, the shot above would have worked a lot better if the car wasn’t driving by at that exact moment, but I didn’t screen my shot first, and this is what I came up with. So, take that minute to scour your background.
5) Utilize Foreground
You know where I like to put this to use? In sunsets. Those trees, those branches around you, they help make a boring shot turn into something great. So, look around you, what object would make for interesting detail, find a way to utilize it.
6) Declutter your Shot
Utilizing foreground can be a good thing, but if you utilize too much of it, it could make a shot not look so good. So, try to keep things simple when composing your shots, and not have too much going on in your shot.
Too much was just happening in the shot above.. it took away from what was happening: the sunset. ;) Even I make mistakes! lol
Anyways, hope you can put some of these tips to use. Let me know how you did, and make sure to post some of your pictures for me on Minnesota Girl in LA’s facebook page!
I have always loved taking pictures. I believe it is a great way to document life. Since I started blogging, I now have to make more effort at how I document things and am slowly becoming a better photographer. At least now, I not only take the subject into consideration, but the lighting, the background, etc. There’s so much to learn. As always, wonderful post. I love your pictures; great examples.
Romina recently posted..Sun Protection Zone Greenbeanz Hooded Jacket Review & Giveaway (Sun Safety Series 2012)
Thinking about your shots will bring better results… =) but once you are familiar it becomes easier, definitely =)
I remember when I was younger I took a picture that could have been awesome, of my huge Rottweiler dog sleeping in my bed, but there was a dirty old sock in the shot too and my grandmother made this huge deal about that one sock that “ruined what could have been such a great picture, HOLLY.” And so now I always remember to look into the foreground and make sure there’s not something I don’t want there before taking the picture.
Holly recently posted..Trying Out the Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light Acne Treatment
It’s funny how one memory can affect the way you do things.. I have a few stories like that!
GOOD reminders & tips Jamie! THANK YOU!
Dale Anne Potter recently posted..Clearing the Air…
Thanks for these great tips.
Debra recently posted..A Mother’s Pride
Great tips Jamie…now to implement them. They help me on my next trip through the Rocky Mountain in a few weeks; thanks!!
Olga Hermans recently posted..How To Make Time For Yourself
Oooh, the Rocky Mountains are truly beautiful =) I hope you share some of your pictures!
Great reminders— these are all tips I can agree with!
Alexis Grace recently posted..A New View
yaya =)
Excellent tips! Thanks for the inspiration
.
Moira Hutchison recently posted..Attain Personal Power Through Self Development
Thanks Jaime, these are great suggestions. I’m always jealous of people who have an eye for a good photo. I love to take pictures, but am not inherently good at it. I’ll be using some of your tips to try to change that . .
Jennifer recently posted..3 Tips To Create a Free Offer that Builds Your List and Your Bank Account
just keep pushing yourself to try new things and it will come =)
I love these tips, Jamie. I was taking pictures this past weekend and was wondering how I could change up my approach. I am going to use this ideas this weekend for sure! Love your work!
Let me know how it goes =)
I will-thanks!
Great tips, Jamie! I’ve been really enjoying taking food pictures lately. I play with it and when I have time and patience the results are amazing. I am not as good with people yet,lol….working on it
Bibi @ Bibi’s Culinary Journey recently posted..Banana Bundt Cake
I discovered the fun of food photography a few weeks ago when I was at a new restaurant. I want to play around with more of that =) lots of fun!
I know your friends!!!;-) Wish I had a shot of you laying down in order to get the airplane at the park!
Mary recently posted..Its JUNE!
I will get the pictures to you guys tomorrow =) Had zero time today!
Great tips! I’m going to keep these in mind as I’m doing my daily Instagram stuff
Alex @ Before The Baby Wakes recently posted..When bloggers are dangerous
and I’m loving your instagram shots when I catch them!
I can really relate to the “background” comment. I helped a friend of mine who is a prof. photographer for horse events at a major Combined Driving event one year. Of course the set her up where her photos would have the port-o-johns in the background! We had to do some creative rearranging to keep those blue huts out of the shots – LOL
Oh, yes… When I was on my trip last week I really wanted to capture a shot, but just couldn’t take it because of the Port o Johns right in front!
Jamie recently posted..Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyard!
Wonderful tips, so glad I saw this post today!
Sally K Witt, Social Media and Ministry recently posted..When you get the urge to clean and organize -fix up your online life, too!!
Great tips, even for a mommy amateur. I love the one about looking up! Will have to try that. And the foreground images, too. We live on the beach so that will come in handy!
Dorien Morin-van Dam recently posted..Roll Call For Facebook Admins. You Need to GET this.
Jamie, I spent several years in the 70s as an aerial photographer in the Amazon, documenting the entire area of influence of an iron more mine that included the mine, several towns, an 800-km railroad and a deep-water port in Brazil. Your composition tips brought back memories. But I have to admit, I’m about to drag out my old Canon SLR cameras … to add to the challenge. Digitals take half the fun out of it!
Sharon O’Day recently posted..America’s River
Fantastic tips! I’m traveling this weekend and these will come in handy. Especially like the “look up” one!
Martha Giffen recently posted..How To Be A Guru Millionaire (it’s not what you think!)
Looking up is a great tip, thank you. I shall take that on board.
maggie currie recently posted..Who do I love?
Great tips! Will be trying the ‘moving the detail to right or left’ – never thought of that!
Carolyn Hughes recently posted..CAN’T STOP? WON’T STOP?
Excellent tips, thanks for sharing with us
Anita recently posted..How To Be Grateful and Create Success in Times of Need
Wonderful ideas. You’ve no idea how many times I’ve taken a picture only to realize there’s a basket of laundry in the background
Lisa D.B. Taylor recently posted..Knights, Union Soldier, Baseball, & Dinos
Amazing ideas, especially I love about changing perspective! Thanks for the tips!
Solvita recently posted..7 Keys to Self-Love and Positive Inner Calm
Great photo shooting tips, I love it! I am going to use these tips next time I take a photo.
Sherry Nouraini recently posted..3 examples for why a traditional marketer makes a lousy social media consultant
Great tips Jamie! I’ve used the look up one before when walking the trails, but never thought of trying it on the street. I might have to head out with the camera tomorrow!
Helena recently posted..Come On, Get Your Happy On! Nine Ways To Feel Happier Today
Thank you for all of the great tips! I am not a pro but do like to take photos and I will definitely put your tips to use = )
Karla Campos recently posted..Incest, a Survivor’s Story and What You Can Do to Help Spread the Message
Great tips for improving compositional creativity. I still remember my first assignment in my first photography class back in high school was to make a photograph with a “bird’s-eye view”(looking down) and a “worm’s-eye view” (looking up). And I think I still have the second print in my favorites box.
Marie Leslie recently posted..How to Take Vacation Photos People will WANT to See
Great tips for photography even for the novice! Thanks
Sharon G Cobb recently posted..Sexuality Vs. Sexualization Part 1
Great stuff! I’ve got a little of the photography bug and tips/reminders are always helpful!
MEL recently posted..V’s Fireside Chats 1
Gorgeous! Thanks for the great tips, Jamie. BTW happy SITS day!
Thanks Jamie! Thank you for stopping by =)
Jamie recently posted..Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyard!
Love these tips! Isn’t photography fun?
Louise Ducote recently posted..Let’s Go
It really is, I’m continuing to learn something new everyday. =)
Jamie recently posted..Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyard!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Tricia recently posted..The nurturer
These are great tips! Found you through SITS and I am following by email
Thanks for following Desirae =) If you ever have a question about photography, send a message my way =)
Jamie recently posted..Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyard!
All such true tips and so very simple! I think everyone would be so much happier with their pictures if they followed them!
Maggie recently posted..It’s okay……..
Thanks Maggie! I try to keep things as simple as possible around here =)
Jamie recently posted..Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyard!
These are great tips! I love to take photos – and now with digital, I end up taking hundreds. But when I go back and look at them, I wish I knew more about composition. Now I do! Thanks!
Yes, digital has made it very easy for us to just keep snapping. I often stop myself to actually think about the shot. By doing this, I’ve been pretty happy with the results.
Jamie recently posted..Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyard!
That’s my next adventure…photography! I just wanna take better pictures and a new camera! Happy SITS Day!
Whitney recently posted..Comment on Dressing The Part ~ Professional or Casual by Whitney
Wonderful tips. Thanks for sharing them.
misssrobin recently posted..Feedback on Your Blog
These are great ideas!! I don’t know a ton about photography so I’m glad you were featured today!!
Rebecca Rider recently posted..Giveaway!! Win signed copies of "No Regrets Parenting" and other books by Dr. Harley Rotbart!!!
Such a great tutorial and things most average people don’t think about! Happy SITS Day!
Jamie H recently posted..Pop Cap Necklaces
Good pointers … I so often just click off shots. I’m sure I’d be more happy with the results if I took these ideas into consideration.
Enjoy your SITS day!
Morgan recently posted..Vacation Snapshots #3
I love that you have both examples of what went right and examples of what went wrong here. I have to say, though, that I love the VW bus picture, car and all. The speeding car just kind of adds to the effect for me. It’s like I’m going “HOLY WOW Yes I WOULD speed away from somebody offering me a massage in a VW bus!”
Jester Queen recently posted..Long time coming
*giggles* Every time I see that VW parked along the streets it makes me stop… The first few times I saw it I thought exactly the same way.. who would ever want to get a massage there. No, I haven’t made the phone call
LOL
Jamie recently posted..Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyard!
I love it!! When I’m doing an actual shoot, I don’t tend to run into this issue, but dang in candid shots, especially on vacation…the background! I invariably forget to check, and there’s trash cans or people or plants on top of heads LOL These are great tips, and all ones that I use regularly.
Kristin recently posted..Giving Hope
LOL, yep, those candid shots are killer..
Jamie recently posted..Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyard!
These are great tips and I like that they packed a real helpful punch. I can already see how I can improve my shots!
Tracy Larson recently posted..When a Family Vacation Is Not a Break for a Mom
I love this blog. Short (which is what I prefer) but with easy to use ideas. You gave me a lot to think about. I’m always wanting more time but by using a little bit of time composing photographs, I will save time and get what I want.
Sheila recently posted..Watch out here comes the sun
Oh Sheila, you’ve just made my day =) I’m glad you enjoyed your visit and hope you stop back again.
Jamie recently posted..Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyard!
Someday I hope to be able to spend time figuring out photography. I would sure love to have a creative eye!
Happy SITS day!
Andrea recently posted..Workbox Share–Shape Hunt and Clip-a-Card Base Ten Blocks
Andrea, I think we all have a creative eye within us, we just have to try out new perspectives and different angles
I love these tips, and the photos you featured are awesome. Congrats on your SITS day!
Kerry recently posted..A 4-hour work week! Yeah right!
Thanks Kerry! I’m glad you enjoyed them. The day was a lot of fun. =)
these are great tips! I’m constantly snapping pics with my iPhone and I can’t wait to try out your suggestions!
Marisol recently posted..Happiness is…
I love cell phone photography. There is just so much you can do with it now, and you can take some really great pics because of it. =) I wish I had instagram, but that won’t happen until I upgrade.
Great tips! What a treasure, I miss taking photo. I retired my camera when I stopped scrapbooking. I am shopping for a new one right now, will check back on these pages when I choose my new tool.
Happy Sits!
Pamela List recently posted..The Bare Necessities
Oh, I use to scrapbook all the time back in the day… but as I grew older I just struggled with what to scrapbook. So I scrapped that, and dove into photography headfirst
LOL
I am always trying to get interesting shots for my blog – I am not great at photos – I love these tips – they are so helpful! Happy sits day!
Ilene, if you ever have a question about photography do not hesitate to ask and I will do my best to answer the question.
Great post! I’m going to pin it now. I believe great posts should be shared. Have a great day! Oops, did I just use the same adjective 3 times? lol
Christina Morley recently posted..Amanda and Me Time
Christina, thank you so much! =) psst: I didn’t notice.
You know, I really need to start utilizing pinterest more than I do, and start pinning the articles I really enjoy.
Happy SITS day & Congrats! My husband is a photographer and I am constantly learning everyday. It was nice to read about composing your shots! Thank you for sharing!
Ashley Marie recently posted..The Ginger & The Bread
Great tips. Helpful to a blogger like me who really prefers to write but knows she needs photos on her blog!
Laura @ Pruning Princesses recently posted..Hot rocks
I’m glad you enjoyed them Laura! =) Pictures do add a lot to a blog, but sometimes it’s nice to read a post without them too.
Thanks for the great photo tips! It’s much better than my point and shoot method lol.