How would this photo look as a sentence?
asdfaggsgggTEENAGE GIRLS, YOUNG MANadsfgalgalcln
What is all that gibberish around the subjects in the photo?
Is all the area marked with green really needed? Did I compose the photo as a sentence rather than just a noun with gibberish around it? Posed photos of people looking straight into the camera, for the most part, are not anything but nouns without verbs. Sure, there are some exceptions, but many people use this same composition no matter what they are shooting. Just put the subject in the center and click.
While the people on the sides here balance the photo, they are more of a distraction than a help.
Here, the edges cannot be cropped much more without eliminating some of the sentence.
The ball is on the far right/top, and the referee’s hand is on the left. I kept the foot in at the bottom to avoid cropping out the foot and showing how the athlete is flying. Notice that the wide receiver also has room to go once he catches the ball.
While I could have moved the frame slightly to the right, you can see here that I am using the band’s name on banners to help compose the photo.
This also helps to create leading lines and depth in the photograph.
Here’s a simple rule to improve your compositions. First, remove anything from the frame that doesn’t support or complement your subject. Think of your image like a sentence: do you have a noun, a verb, and maybe a few descriptors? Next, decide where to place your subject within the frame. Then, ask yourself if there’s a way to create depth—this draws the viewer into the photograph and makes it more engaging.
These three steps—framing, positioning, and creating depth—can transform a photo from a static object into a story that communicates. Another powerful tool is lighting. Thoughtful lighting can guide the viewer’s eye, sometimes even more effectively than leading lines or S-curves. But before manipulating light, focus on mastering composition within the frame.
How can you tell if your framing is working? Look closely at the edges of your images, either on your camera’s LCD or on your computer. Do you see anything that distracts from the subject? A helpful tip while shooting is to identify your subject and examine everything else in the frame. Can it be removed, or is it adding value? If it doesn’t serve the story, it doesn’t belong.
To strengthen your photos, remember to make the edges of the photo count as much as the subject you are focused on.
Take your time to compose. Once you have your composition, let the moment happen, just like you do after you sit down to watch a play on Broadway. The frame is the whole stage. Wait for the actors to move and hit those peak moments.
