Digital Photography Tricks - Rules Of Composition That Make Your ...

The rules of composition lay at the very heart of a successful photograph. By concentrating on key elements in your viewfinder, correct composition will capture the audience's attention. An image is basically a bunch of lines, squares, circles and triangles arranged within four edges - the aim is to put these together in such a way that the end result is pleasing. Composition is so powerful, that at times you don't even need a definite subject for your final image - the arrangement of the lines and angles are enough to make it interesting. Below are a few digital photography tricks to ensure your pictures have maximum impact.

The rule of thirds is still commonly referred to. In this rule, the viewfinder is divided into thirds horizontally and vertically, so you end up with nine sections. The aim is to ensure your point of interest appears on the intersection of any two of these lines. Many new photographers begin by following the rule subconsciously, unaware that it exists. The lines need only be approximate, the idea being that the picture moves away from total symmetry, which can be somewhat uninteresting. The best way to experiment is to take the same shot with and without using the rule - you will soon see the difference!

Recurring shapes and themes can make for a very satisfying result. For example, waves moving across the picture from one corner to the other, or a series of hills in a landscape can easily make a picture by themselves. Couple a landscape with reflections in water, and you can really have something special. Still water can make a perfect reflection, but another digital photography trick to consider is using a reflection in moving water, because of the abstract nature of the shapes produced.

Framing the subject with background or foreground detail can create depth in composition. Frames can be found everywhere - archways, overhanging trees, someone peering out of a window, or even the gap between two buildings. The frame...

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