Adding a foreground tree to a mundane church image gives this photo an edge over church snapshots.
Millions of photos are taken everyday yet so many seem to look alike. Creative photography compositions are created when photographers take a few extra steps in making their images. If you find yourself simply pointing and shooting from an upright position and are dissatisfied with your photos, it's time to start experimenting with those settings and make your images stand out.
Instructions
1. Create a silhouette shot by placing an unlit subject in front of a bright background. The subject should have strong body language like jumping, holding up both arms or running because the viewer will only be able to see the person's shape. Silhouette shots are best completed during sunrise or sunset when the sky and clouds look the most visually appealing. Slightly underexpose the shot by one or two stops to saturate the background colors. A great way to stage one of these shots is to place your subject in the shadow of a large object such as a building while the sun is rising. Or juxtapose the subject with the sky or an interesting cityscape. Have the subject try different poses.
2. Take a shot that includes a background, a middle ground and a foreground. Doing so adds the illusion of depth to the picture. The subject can pose in the foreground or middle ground. If the subject is in the middle ground, the foreground element could be some sort of clue as to what environment the subject occupies. For example, if you are shooting on a beach, the foreground element could be part of a palm leaf. Ensure that all elements of this type of photograph are relevant to the type of story your wish to tell. Do not simply fill the three parts of the image with random and distracting objects.
3. Move in close to your subjects, sometimes to the point that it is uncomfortable. Intimacy is a very important part of photography that all too many pictures lack. Getting close to your subjects invites viewers to see them in an up-close-and-personal way. Do your best to develop a rapport with your subjects so they can be comfortable while you are shooting so close to them.
4. Pay attention to the details of your pictures because one tiny detail can make a picture stand out over others. A picture of a runner with both feet off the ground is far more interesting than a picture of a runner with one foot on the ground. Take the time to thoroughly examine your pictures and think about ways they could be better. Arming yourself with this type of critical eye will help you for future shoots.
5. Play with the focus ring of your camera and try breaking a few rules. Try intentionally leaving everything out of focus. Set the aperture to its widest setting so that whatever is out of focus is exceptionally blurry. Keep the focus mode out of auto and try different shots.
