way to the far end will pull the eye through the
scene. You can position various focal points along
your line or just have one main area of focus at
the end of your line that the eye will settle on.
Shapes can be used in a similar way, for example
imagine a triangle and position three points of
focus at the end of each point where the lines of
the shape meet. By doing so you create balance
in your shot as well as subtly guiding the eye.
7. Simplify – Know Your Focus
Having too much going on in your frame can
mean the person who’s looking at it just keeps
searching for a point of focus and soon gets
bored of looking when they can’t find one. This
doesn’t mean you can’t have secondary points of
focus, it just means you should make every effort
to make sure they don’t steal all the limelight.
8. Watch The Background
Unsightly objects, overexposed or particularly
bright areas and blocks/dots of bright color will all
pull the eye from what it’s meant to be focusing on
so take a good look at your background before you
take your shot and if possible, find a background
that’s not so obtrusive. If you’re working on
portraits make sure there’s no unwanted items
sticking out of your subject’s head and unless it
adds to the shot, throw
the background out of
focus. To do this, select
a wider aperture if
working with a DSLR or
select the Portrait Mode
on a compact camera to
tell it you want to work
with a wider aperture.
If you’re working with
plants
and
flowers
try creating your own
backgrounds out of
card and material which
can be slipped into your
bag alongside your
camera gear.
9. Look For Symmetry/Patterns
Filling your frame with a pattern that repeats gives
the shot more impact, exaggerating the size/
number of the objects you’re photographing.
Shots where there’s symmetry in them such
as
lamp
posts
lining either side
of a street, a long
line of trees or a
series of arches
can also be used
to guide the eye
to a single point.
Just remember you
need a focus point
at the end of your
shot otherwise it
won’t work as well.
Symmetry
can
also involve nonrelated
objects
that resemble each
other in shape,
color or texture. To be different, break the
repetitive pattern with one shape/color that
stands out from the rest. You’ll probably have
to play around to see how positioning the ‘odd
one out’ changes the composition/feeling of
your shot.
10. Create Depth
Having fore-, middle- and background detail will
add depth to your image as well as draw the eye
through the picture. Compositional elements
that compliment each other, for example with
color or by association, work well but do be
careful with the size of objects you use and how
you place them as you don’t want the shot to
be thrown off balance. You don’t want a rock
in the foreground of your landscape shot, for
example, drawing the eye away from the hills
and mountains in the background. Adding water
to the foreground can also lighten your shot as
well as adding an extra element of interest as it
reflects the sky back out.
NM CliQ Magazine | October 2015
21