4) Symmetry & Patterns - Symmetry and patterns, both
natural and man-made, are everywhere. Including them
into your images can be eye catching.
5) Viewpoint - Before I even begin a photo I have often
thought out it and where it will be shot. Our viewpoint
brings "our" impact to the composition. Change up the
standard viewpoint. Try capturing from above, ground
level, from the side, from the back, greater or shorter
distance. This really brings a "story" into your photo.
6) Background - A camera has the tendency to flatten the
foreground to background, loosing the subject to a busy
background. Look around you for plain natural
backgrounds that won’t detract from the subject and be
creative!
7) Depth - Our human eye naturally sees depth, but photography is two-dimensional. Create depth in a photo by
including objects in foreground, middle ground and background or even overlap objects. Framing - Look for objects
for natural framing, like trees, archways. Place these on the edge of the photo to frame the subject in composition. 9)
Lighting is key! - The use of light in a photograph can be the deciding factor of whether that picture will be spectacular
or terrible. The sun is one of the best sources for light, but there are some rules for outdoor.
First, avoid shooting on bright, cloudless sunny days. Too much sunlight can wash your subjects out. Plus, strong light
means strong shadows. Cloudy days are actually great for taking pictures. The clouds defuse the light, softening it but
still showcasing rich colors. Plus, the diffused light will cast fewer shadows. If you have to take pictures on a bright
sunny day, try to avoid taking pictures in the middle of the day, when the sun will be at its brightest.
If it's a bright sunny day and you're taking pictures, look for ways to diffuse the light yourself. Open shade trees are a
good way to do it. Look for a large tree with a wide spread of branches that are fairly high off the ground. The leaves
will catch most of the light but will also let just enough in so your subject isn't completely in the dark. Just watch out
for any harsh shadows -- especially on your subject's face.
You may not be able to control your light source, but you can control where you and your subject are relative to it. Try
to have your light source to the side of your subject. If the light is behind your subject, you won't get to see any detail - instead, you'll just see a silhouette. On the other hand, if your subject is looking into the light, he or she may be
squinting. Plus, direct light on an object or someone's face may be harsh and unflattering.