NIKON SCHOOL

Photo Walk Sambhaji Udyan, Pune

Composition

Composition is how you choose to frame the picture you're about to make.

These are some general guidelines that can help you improve your photos

and make them more interesting and memorable.

Rule of Thirds

Balancing Elements

Leading Lines

Symmetry and Patterns

Viewpoint

Background

Depth

Framing

the only rule in photography is that there are no rules

The Rule of Thirds

Composition

Imagine 4 lines crossing your frame, making four intersection points at the center of the frame.

Try to keep the main elements of the image ( like the rock and the horizon in this image ) around the intersection points.

If it is a human subject, try to keep the eyes near the intersection points.

Try to avoid any element cutting the frame at the center. These elements should be dividing the frame at approx. 1/3rd of the frame.

The Rule of Thirds

Composition

Balancing Elements

Composition

Try to fill the empty parts of a frame to add interest to

the image and also to

balance the frame

The balancing elements should ideally compliment

the main subject and not

distract from it

Framing

Composition

How you frame the scene is your version of reality. Before taking

the shot, think of the different

ways you can frame the scene.

Include foreground elements like people, structures, trees etc. to fill

the frame and to add depth to the

image.

Never stop at documenting a scene. Change angles, add

elements or change lenses to add

different perspective to the same

scene.

Framing

Composition

Nikon Photo Contest

International Winner - 2011 Frame within a frame

Including foreground

elements that add to the

frame betters the

composition Good subject and light, but poorly

balanced frame

Framed with good balance

and interesting elements

Leading Lines

Composition

Leading lines lead us towards a particular element in the frame, or

sometimes away from it. Clever

use of leading line elements like

roads, fences, shorelines, etc. can

add drama and depth to your

image.

Symmetry and Patterns

Composition

Patterns are everywhere around us. Look for interesting patterns to

frame your image.

Sometimes using an element that breaks the patterns can make a

great image.

Composition

The diagonal element

Using leading lines and following the rule of thirds often results in

dramatic images with a diagonal

element in the composition.

Place the main element of the frame towards the corner of the

frame and let the other elements

lead towards the opposite corner

to form the diagonal element.

The diagonal element adds balance, interest and if done

cleverly, drama to the image.

Viewpoint

Composition

Instead of taking head on shot of subjects, try to change your

viewpoint.

A slight change of angle , low or high, can make any subject look

more attractive.

Background

Composition

A good subject and composition can be marred by a bad

background

Avoid distractive elements in the background especially when

shooting portraits.

If positioning the subjects or controlling the background

elements is not possible, try to

achieve shallow depth of field by

using a wide aperture.

Removing distracting background draws interest to

the main subject

Depth

Composition

You can add depth in the frame which is otherwise two

dimensional, by adding interesting

foreground and background

elements.

Illusion of Depth can be more effective if other elements can be

added between the foreground and the

background. For best results, use a

small aperture for good depth of field

and a wide angle lens

Adding various elements in the

frame with good depth of field to

create depth

Adding various elements in the

frame with good depth of field to

create depth

Into the Frame

Composition

When photographing people and animals it's best to have them looking

into the frame.

If theres action in your picture, leave more space on the side of the frame

where the action is headed. It looks

more natural that way and lets the

viewer have a feel for where the subject

is going

It is always better to ask or take permission

before you shoot a portrait of a person while you

are on the streets. In low light, If you are taking a

shot of someone without them knowing, keep

the auto focus assist light off, otherwise they

might see it and spoil the mood.

At times using a telephoto zoom lens really

helps in getting your subject closer to you. Most

street portraits capture the real character and

expressions when the subject is not aware that

he/she is getting clicked.

TIPS: Street Photography

Street photography is often wrongly

associated with being entirely about

photographing portraits on the streets.

Street photography is about people, or

more specifically about human nature, but

people dont necessarily need to be present in the scene.

There are an infinite amount of

opportunities in street areas to capture

some remarkable images without people

also. You just have to look for them.

TIPS: Street Photography

Either dont bother setting the camera settings at all and just focus on

composition or think about it before you get

into the shooting mood. If youre just starting out then you might want to try

putting it on P ( programmed auto) mode to begin with and just concentrate

on shooting.

In P mode, you can use the exposure

compensation button ( +/- button ) to

control exposure as per your requirement.

TIPS: Street Photography

General Tips

Do not carry too much equipment , just what you may need for the shoot. Itll make you be able to move around for the best shot quickly.

Anticipate moments between people before they happen. Observe your subject for some time to do this.

In street photography at times colorful situations arise and can really make a shot be on the look out for these.

Background is very important - whats going on behind your subject can actually make the shot or sometime ruin your shot. Billboards, signs, graffiti and other visual elements can really make a statement in a shot if cleverly

used.

Have your camera out and ready to shoot at all times. Things can move quickly on the street so if youre not ready youll miss lots of opportunities.

Street is a place of movement to capture it and still get sharp shots make sure your shutter speed is fast enough. 1/125 or more with an ISO of 400.It

is also good to experiment with slower shutter speeds on the street capture the movement as blur.

Start time: 7:00 am sharp! The walk ends at 11.00 pm

Reporting time: 7.00 am

Reporting Place: Main Entrance of the park

Contact No: Vivek Kokamthankar - 09011015050

What to bring:

D-SLR camera and kit lens.

Mode of transport: Suggested to pool-up with four-wheelers, Two wheelers, Public

Transport.

Thank You