THINK COMPOSITIONALLY FOR IMPACT
Set yourself a little checklist to optimise your composition while you set up your camera
composition is a challenging subject because there are no strict rules, rather a set of general guidelines that seem to be broken regularly. nevertheless, learning about these rules can be a helpful first step, and then it’s just a matter of practice. One suggestion is to collect a few dozen copies of photographs or paintings that you really like and then analyse them: what has the artist done in terms of light and composition that you really like? Write down key points about each image and in this way, you’ll embed in your memory the compositional tools that resonate with you.
1 TAKE PINPOINT THE LIGHT
a look around and predict how the light will change and what opportunities this is likely to create. For instance, will sunrise highlight a mountain peak?
2 CONSIDER WEATHER
Watching where the light is likely to go can help you frame your landscapes, perhaps restraining any highlighted areas inside a natural vignette.
3 THESE COMPOSITIONAL LINES
can be as simple as a mountain ridge in light with a mountain slope behind in shadow; you can position this line for an interesting composition.
4 TWO BALANCING POINTS
areas illuminated by sunlight in a landscape can create an imaginary balance between them, producing a more dynamic composition.
5 COMPOSE COLOUR CONTRASTS Warm colours come forward while cool colours recede. Can you use the light in the landscape this way to accentuate depth in your compositions?
6 FRAME FOR STRENGTH
Watch where the light creates lines and position them within the frame for a balanced composition. For instance, a diagonal line may cross the entire frame.