For beginners, composition, and perspective are often the most underrated aspects of photography. When they like a photo, the first question always revolve around the camera, lens, and settings.
My most popular tutorials on Instagram are about camera settings and technical topics like metering and focal length. Yet, composition is a skill that, once honed, can be applied to any camera, including smartphones.
Great photos are often combine several elements: light, timing, and composition.
During my casual strolls, I practice composition techniques with my phone. It’s a lot of fun! For example, while exploring a recreational park, I found the shape of a bridge intriguing. Imagine me standing in front of an old stone bridge over a lake in Germany. This one is much smaller.
Every outing teaches me something new. It’s hard to articulate, but I will have a better grasp of distance and camera angle, if that makes sense.
During my travels, about one-third of my photos are experimental. This approach challenges me and keeps my creativity flowing. Repeating the same techniques that I’m already confident in can feel dull.
I feel relieved knowing that “multi-genre” is a real word I’m comfortable with. Some days, I enjoy shooting in a minimalist style. On other days, I explore long exposures. I capture birds and flowers. Sometimes I delve into street photography.
It’s springtime, and I’ve photographed a variety of flowers, including cotton trees and cherry blossoms. Their blooming periods are short—only 1-2 weeks at most. Unexpected weather conditions, like rain and strong winds, can further shorten the window.
Out of all the flowers, I find the cotton tree flower the hardest to photograph beautifully. Its round shape and tall trees make it challenging to isolate unless using a 135-200mm lens. Composition becomes even more crucial in these situations.
Composition
Here are a few shots that I believe showcase its beauty:
1/ Rule of thirds, with branches in the background
2/ A triplet, the Rule of Odds
3/ Use of sub-framing, play with color contrast
4/ Use of foreground
Shots 1, 3 and 4 were taken from a low angle. For Shot 2, I climbed to a higher angle to get closer. I wanted to see the stigma rather than the bottom.
Focal Length
I have the option to use a 200mm zoom lens for close-ups. However, I prefer the 85mm prime lens. It enhances my compositional skills. The necessity to physically move and explore different angles encourages creativity. This lens allows me to capture more of the blue sky, which beautifully complements the flowers.
Color Grading
In Shots 3 and 4, the colors appear more saturated. I didn’t alter the red hues; instead, I focused on shifting the hue of the blue sky. These adjustments contribute to a vibrant and dynamic feel.
For beginners, photographing still subjects provides an opportunity to practice without the pressure of timing. This allows for multiple shots, helping to refine their technique.