Discover potential compositions

Use your scouting trips to identify a multitude of framing possibilities for you to employ.

Composition is likely the foremost ingredient on a photographer’s mind when location scouting, whether the intention is to capture a pre-planned frame, or to seek out effective images at an unfamiliar site. The question we should ask ourselves before heading out to find a location is whether our choice of composition will affect our selection of site, or if the inverse is true and we are willing to adapt our framing decisions, based on the picture opportunities provided by the location.

This can help us form a structured plan of what to look for, what we hope to achieve in the final results and therefore the lengths we are willing to go to capture these target images. More challenging locations often provide image opportunities with a higher perceived worth by viewers, but demand greater effort on the part of the photographer when it comes to travel time, physical exertion, shooting time invested and risk to personal safety and that of the camera gear.

The main things to look out for when scouting for prospective compositions are the opportunities available for creativity. While any coastal spot may offer ‘nice’ views, those that enable the photographer to employ artistic compositional strategies, such as leading lines, unconventional horizon placement and variable camera heights should stand out as the most promising choices. Also of importance is how ‘workable’ the scene will be – is the location conducive to multiple perspectives, enabling the photographer to change composition by physically moving to many positions around the location? Where this is not possible, you may decide that although the frame you will be able to capture is on your wishlist, it would be a better investment to visit another place, which offers multiple photo possibilities.

This varying of angle is critical when assessing location suitability. By observing the scene from multiple points of view, either on site or using Google Maps, you will be able to foresee how you can control context, arranging your frame to isolate parts of the environment. It will help you to plan how to hide distractions or elements that make images too context-specific, such as signage.

Right above: Compose for any occasion Finding the best angle from which to study a subject enables the photographer the confidence to be creative under any weather or lighting condition and to search for unique elements.

Right: Check the entire image When arranging compositions remember to consider all areas of the scene including the fore , middle and background to calculate the best way to align a location’s strongest characteristics.