Guidelines to composition (continued)

4. Leading lines

Leading lines or lead in lines are simple shapes for the eye to follow to get you to the centre of interest.  Perspective, diagonals, S curves, C curves or any simple common shape can be utilised, sometimes in combination.  For example a curved path combined with a fence or hedge.  However if you guide your viewer to a part of your picture, you need something there.  If you have someone walking on the path, don't wait until they have gone to take the picture, but wait until they are at the focus of the leading lines.

5. Odd numbers.

This is even less of a rule.  Some say always have three, but it is subject dependant.  Generally an odd number is better than an even number, it is a question of balance and avoiding four-square symmetry.  If you have six objects in your image because that is what was there, try to arrange it with your view point that you give prominence to some and others get grouped in the background, or consider cloning one out.  Some subjects are just not naturally a three, a portrait of a person is obviously only one object, but that is an odd number, but a portrait of husband and wife, or a man and his dog is naturally two.  However in this case you may be able to have a third secondary subject which can tie the two together.  For example a dinner table that husband and wife are seated at, or a stick that the dog has just fetched or the man is about to throw.

6. Viewpoint.

Don't just get your camera out and take a picture of what is in front of you.  If you are on a whistle stop tour and you want some snaps to enhance your memory of the trip then this is fine, but it is generally no good for photography.  You need to look around and find the best viewpoint(s) before you turn on your camera.  As you gain experience this will come naturally, but if you have just started then try two exercises to help develop your viewpoint skills.

1. Fixed point.  Choose a location and take as many different pictures as you can using your zoom capability to frame the images.  You can lie, sit or stand but you must remain within a metre of a fixed point.  You should aim for at least twenty different shots.
2. Fixed focal length  Use a prime lens, or if you don't have one set your focal length to a set value, (mid range, 40-60mm 35mm equivalent) and take as many different photographs as you can by moving around and finding different angles and viewpoints.  Again, aim for a minimum of twenty photographs.

After the exercise you can review the images and see what you achieved, you will find this difficult to start with but the main purpose of the exercise is the experience you gain in actually doing the exercise.  If you are really lucky you may even take an image that does well in competition, but the more you practice this the more likely you are to get something worthwhile, when at a picturesque location with the right light.  When you get to the point that you are rejecting shots as not good enough, but can still make your twenty then you are making real progress.