Introduction

The ability to capture the beauty of life in a photo is a great gift which a large part of earth’s population carries around in their pocket. But, not all snapshots are created equal. How does one put the perfect frame around the visual story? Below we’ll explore three principles of composition that improve our photographic creations: rule of thirds, leading lines, and depth of field.

Rule of Thirds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first photo we’ll explore is called Girl Waiting on Step taken by Ryan McGuire.  https://gratisography.com/photo/girl-waiting-on-step/

 

 

 

My friend’s granddaughter graciously helped me create my own version of this photo.

 

 

 

 

Imagine the photos divided into horizontal and vertical thirds. It may be tempting to place the girl in the center square, but the mind’s eye finds subjects placed along the imaginary lines of dividing in thirds more pleasing. Even better if the subject is placed at an intersection of these lines. In the professional example, the head and hand meeting is reinforced at such a crossing. In my photo, the eye is perfectly placed. The original photo uses better contrasting colors and hues which creates a more eye-catching piece. I found that what I thought was good placement as I took my photo was a little off. The miracle of Photoshop helped me trim edges so my subject is where I wanted her. I think it would have been better to take my original photo with a landscape orientation to magnify the rule of thirds effect. The brick and cement backgrounds of both photos create lines that lead the eye to the girls, which leads our minds to the next principle of composition we’ll explore.

 

Leading Lines

This photo was also taken by Ryan McGuire and is called Hallway, Black and White. https://gratisography.com/photo/black-white-tiled-hallway/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My version was taken at the local high school where I work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice how the lines of the floor and ceiling lead the eye into the photo. The brick walls reinforce these leading lines. Even the repeated lights created a line (highlighted in yellow) to the back of the photos. The original photo is in black and white and has a shorter hallway that ends in a T-intersection. I like how my version’s reflected light on the floor adds another leading line. The blue storm light hinted at from a skylight mid-ceiling is repeated at the window at the end of the hall. Leading lines can do more than draw your eye into the photo, they can also add to a depth of field, which is what we’ll look at next.

 

Depth of Field

The photo Fall Bridge is again taken by Ryan McGuire.
http://- https://gratisography.com/photo/creek-bridge/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While my photo is taken on a lovely, rainy, fall day, it features cooler greens than the warmer yellows of the professional example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To create depth of field, or to get away from a flat, two dimensional feel, it helps to layer objects and/or place them in the foreground, middle ground and background. In both photos the grass in the foreground is a blurred layer. Mr. McGuire’s subject is clearly the bridge which is in the second layer of depth in his photo along with the river and trees. The trees extend beyond the bridge creating a third layer. The river in the first photo serves as a subtle leading line which continues under the bridge. In my photo the second layer is the river and surrounding trees and the bridge and out-building are in a distant third layer. My river has a stronger leading line that draws the eye in to see the far-away bridge. The different trees with different hues of green enhance the layering effect.

Conclusion

Time invested to be aware of the rule of thirds, leading lines, and depth of field payoff in better photos. These little details bring a nice sense of satisfaction to the mind and heart, just like taking care of little details in other areas of our lives.