5 Photography Composition Tips From a National Geographic Photo Story

Introduction

This tutorial provides five essential photography composition tips inspired by Sean Gallagher's National Geographic photo story, "Jakarta - The Sinking City." These techniques will enhance your ability to take compelling photographs and deepen your understanding of professional photography composition.

Step 1: Use the Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is a fundamental guideline that can help create balanced and engaging images.

• Divide your frame into a 3x3 grid by imagining two vertical and two horizontal lines.
• Position key elements of your photo along these lines or at their intersections. This creates a more dynamic and visually appealing composition.
• Practical Tip: Experiment with different placements to see how it affects the overall impact of your images.

Step 2: Frame In a Frame

This technique adds depth and context to your photography.

• Look for natural frames like windows, doorways, or branches that can encapsulate your subject.
• Position your camera so that the frame surrounds your main subject, drawing attention to it.
• Practical Tip: Use this technique to guide the viewer’s eye toward the focal point of your image.

Step 3: Strong Shapes

Incorporating strong shapes can help make your photographs more visually compelling.

• Identify geometric patterns or shapes in your environment, such as circles, triangles, or lines.
• Use these shapes to structure your composition, leading the viewer's eye through the image.
• Practical Tip: Look for shapes in both natural and urban settings to create striking contrasts.

Step 4: Center Focus

While off-center compositions are popular, centering your subject can also be powerful.

• Place your subject in the center of the frame for a bold, graphic impact.
• Use this technique for subjects with symmetrical features or when you want to convey stability.
• Practical Tip: Consider the background; a clean, uncluttered background enhances the centered subject.

Step 5: Diminishing Perspective

Create a sense of depth and dimension in your photos with diminishing perspective.

• Find leading lines such as roads, pathways, or rivers that draw the viewer's eye into the image.
• Position your camera to emphasize these lines, which diminish in size as they recede into the background.
• Practical Tip: Experiment with different angles and distances to find the most compelling perspective.

Step 6: Combining Techniques

Combining various composition techniques can elevate your photography.

• Mix and match the techniques discussed above to create unique compositions.
• For example, use the Rule of Thirds while framing a subject within a frame, or apply strong shapes while using diminishing perspective.
• Practical Tip: Practice combining techniques in different environments to discover what works best for your style.

Conclusion

By applying these five photography composition tips, you can significantly improve your photographic skills and storytelling ability. Remember to experiment with each technique and combine them to develop your unique style. Keep practicing, and soon you'll see a marked improvement in your photography compositions.