Photography Tips – shapes within images

The Vision

Here are some photography tips which will help to improve your photographic composition.

Good photography always starts with a vision of reality. Something that arouses interest within the photographer. This forms the basis of what we call pre-visualisation. This is where in your mind’s eye you can imagine the finished image.

Evenings in Kamchatka, Russia by Andrew Boschier — Photographing shapes in Kamchatka, Russia by Andrew Boschier

Part of this process is the art of composition and this is something I believe improves with experience. It is thought that this can’t be taught as it is an instinctive process. However, I disagree as there are guidelines to follow and these can be taught. Once you are aware of what works for you. Images appear in your mind’s eye leading to developing your own style.

Check before you fire the shutter

A good way to see if your image is really working is to study everything you see in your image. Perhaps not as a person or scene but as graphic shapes . Here you can see if they work as a whole and fit together. A good tip is to take an image and then turn the camera upside down to see these shapes. This helps, as it will disconnect the brain from reality and force it to study the shapes themselves.

Photographing shapes in your work. — Think about the different shapes within your photography

Explore the interaction between these shapes, think about rectangles, squares and curves. A curve will help to draw a viewers eye through the image leading to what you consider to be the focal point. It can also imply a sense of motion. Especially important are triangles (real or implied). These are very satisfying to the viewer as they are easily seen and can help to tie the relationships. Attention is always strongest at the apex of the triangle. Depending on their orientation, triangles can also convey a sense of stability, or else bring a dynamic aspect.

Professional photography tips by Andrew Boschier

The use of shape within the image

If you include squares or rectangles, these will also convey a sense of stability providing a frame within a frame, which will draw the eye. The use of these structures also provide balance and harmony to the image. Especially if aligned with the rule of thirds or the golden section. These devices have been around for millenia. They were originally put forward by Greek philosophers. An search will provide more information about the geometry of them and their use throughout the history of art. Care must be taken with rectangles because if they are not photographed square, they may become distorted. Use of these shapes are seen as quite formal which will alter the dynamic within your image.