Composition

Talents and the Learning Process
A lot of people compliment my brains. Some are being honest about it, some are merely kissing butt. The ones who actually mean it believe I had a superb education. Let's explore that.

Every person has certain natural talents and inclinations that develop hand in hand with and depending on our surroundings and/or upbringing. Certain environments allow and feed the development of such talents or orientations; while certain environments deny these individuals from reaching their full potential, but that doesn't mean they won't show any signs of such talent one way or another. It only means they have to overcome these barriers, but they surely will break through. 

You could put two people side to side and have a conversation with them. Leaving such meeting, you could think that one of them probably went to an expensive college and had a prime education, while the other probably never went to college. You could be surprised to find out that both graduated from the same class. I have met extraordinary people who didn't even finish elementary school and speak two or more languages and learned it in matter of months. But then again, I have met people who struggle horribly and do not posses basic knowledge of their own language, let alone speak a second one.

Such scenarios occur due to a natural disposition or "wiring" within each of us and interest/desire to learn and retain knowledge.  Like one of my teachers used to say "Kids, study for life, not for the test". Make it a point to retain vital information that's useful in life.


Learning Photography
Photography is no different than any other subject. Some people have a natural talent for it though they never took a single class on the subject. My best friend has such an eye for composition that is annoying, lol. I had to go to school to learn it, she just has "it". There are people who went to photography school with me and still don't get it and are unable to produce pleasing images. But, that doesn't mean you can't pick it up. If you are one of those people who wasn't born with an eye for it, do not worry. You can learn it, you just have to try a bit harder and really commit. 

Photography and Rules
The word rule in its proper and full extent means mandatory. Art on itself is supposed to be about freedom, creativity and self expression. Art knows no boundaries. These two words seem to contradict themselves.  Have you also heard of the saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that beauty is relative? I bet you have. All of these concepts seem to clash with one another. And though they do, truth is, you do need a rough guide when it comes to dealing with images. What I suggest is, do consider the rules, but do feel free to break them in the name of art. The key word I mentioned is GUIDANCE. They exist merely to provide a guide, to give you something to work with and go on from there.

Why Is Composition So Important?
Because it will allow you to balance the way the components work with one another within frame, creating a comprehensive and easy flow to follow. This will translate to more appealing and interesting photos for your viewers.


If you put a bad photograph next to a good one and ask a non artist to tell you which one they like most, they'll choose the good one. Though they don't know why and they won't be able to explain it, there are basic ways for you to capture such subjects, shapes and colours that will be pleasing even to those who don't understand composition.


The Rule of Thirds
For that, I found this post. Click here to read it and understand such rule.


More guidelines for composition that you may like to know about. Click here.