Salam nd Hi all ..

OK lets Rock nd Rolls.. AGAIN

((THIS INFORMATION TAKEN FROM BOOK CALLED "500 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY HINTS, TIPS, ND TECHNIQUES".. BY CHRIS WESTON ..
I bought this book from Book Corner n Marina Mall n Abu Dhabi n UAE ))

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- Leading the eye
what u r trying 2 achieve with good composition s a combination of balanced elements that lead the viewer from 1 part of the picture to another n an organized fashion.



- Format
Digital cameras hav 2 formats: vertical nd horizontal. If u hold the in its normal position, the horizontal format applies. Holding the camera on its end will give u a vertical composition. The format u choose 2 use will alter the emphasis of the photograph.

- Horizontal
The horizontal format s sometime referred 2 as the "landscape" format bcoz it s very well suited 2 landscape subjects. Holding the camera n the horizontal format will emphasize width nd space.

- Vertical
The vertical format s also known as the "portrait" format bcoz photographs of people often look better when shot this way. Holding the camera n the vertical format will emphasize height.

- 2 for the price of 1
Take each picture n both horizontal nd vertical formats. U can then decide which u prefer when u later come 2 process ur images.

- Subject position
Once u've decided on the most appropriate format. u'll need 2 choose where u place the main subject in the photograph. Nd, once again, ur decision will determine the emotional impact of the picture.

- Edge of frame
Avoid positioning the subject too close 2 the edge of the frame bcoz it can make the picture appear unbalanced nd poorly composed.

- Rule of thirds
This s a well-known photographic technique that really works. The principle s 2 divide up the picture frame by drawing imaginary lines at one-third interval, horizontally nd vertically across it. The focal point of the image should fall where lines intersect. This creates an asymmetric design that produces tensions nd relationships between the pictorial elements, giving a more dynamic nd visually energetic structure.
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- Symmetry nd asymmetry
Symmetry nd asymmetry will dictate the visual weight of ur pictures. A balanced (symmetrical) picture tends 2 create a sense of tranquility nd/or stability, while an unbalanced (asymmetrical) image appears more dynamic.

- Center
Positioning the subject in the middle of the picture space will hold ur gaze on the center, which s entirely appropriate if what's there s the most interesting nd important part of the picture.



- Using lines
Straight horizontal lines provide a sense of wellbeing nd calm bcoz we associate them with our natural point of orientation-the horizon. Vertical lines accentuate hight nd diagonal lines create visual energy.



- Spirals
Composing picture elements so that they spiral out from a central point will produce visually energetic photographs, even if the subject s static.



- Direction of vision
In the West we read from left 2 right nd from top 2 bottom. Following this (2 us) natural orientation when designing a picture will produce a more aesthetically pleasing result.

- Triangles
Triangles make us thinks of stability nd permanence. They r also symbolic of mystical power, as denoted by Egyptian pyramids nd by mountains such as Everest nd Fuji. Pointing upward, Triangles always imply strength, although the opposite s true when they point down.



- Perspective
Perspective helps 2 define the way we c a photograph. There will be no big surprises n a picture taken from a normal standing position, while altering ur position-getting low down or up high, 4 example- helps 2 create visual effects that jar the sense of normality nd communicate a view of the world that others rarely consider.

- A sense of place
Including background nd/or foreground features will give ur subjects a sense of place, relating them to their surroundings.

- Depth
Photographs r two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional world, so u neet 2 arrange the picture elements 2 give the illusion of depth, u can use contrast nd well-defined shadows, or converging lines, such as roads, pathways nd railway tracks. Alternatively, include foreground, middle ground, nd background.

- Patterns
Look 4 pictures within pictures. Patterns, from a rhythmic repetition of shapes, nd texture will both create abstract designs nd give ur photographs a tactile quality.



- Isolation
If u want 2 place all the emphasis on the subject, then u will need 2 isolate it from its surroundings, either by using a very shallow depth-of-field or by cropping n tightly to eliminate background nd foreground features.

- Cropping
DPSs r a particular size nd will capture light over their entire surface. However, this size frame may nt be ideal 2 the image u r trying 2 create. Never be afraid 2 frame the subject with cropping @ a later date n mind. 4 example, some landscape r better suited 2 a panoramic format nd portraits of people often look better as a square format.

- Framing
A well-known compositional technique s 2 frame the main subject with the picture. U can use naturally occurring objects such as the outward arc of a tree branch, or props such as a window frame. Using frames n this way will focus attention on the subject nd hint @ a wider sense of place.

- Making a statement
Photography s a form of graphic storytelling. Giving some thought 2 the story u want ur pictures 2 communicate before taking them s a professional technique that leads 2 consistently better photographs. Humor, happiness, sadness, thoughtfulness, danger, action, interaction, cutesy behavior nd a sense of place r example of different "stories" ur pictures may tell. Try to capture the emotion of the moment n ur picture.




LENSES ND COMPOSITION
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- Focal length
Changing the focal length of the lens, either by changing lenses of by altering the zoom setting, will also change the way re relate 2 the objects with a picture. In 35mm equivalency, a 50mm lent (around 75mm in digital terms) give a familiar perspective.

- Wide-angle lenses
Wide-angle lenses will reduce the size of the main subject nd give the optical illusion of expanding the distance between objects. They tend 2 create a greater sense of space nd depth-nd so r good 4 landscape photography.

- Telephoto lenses
Telephoto lenses increase the size of the main subject nd compress the space between foreground nd background. They r ideal 4 portraits (where the background s often secondary) nd wildlife of sports subjects (where it s difficult to get close enough 4 frame filling images).


COLOR
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Colors hav a strong influence n photography. Used 2gether, they can either add 2, or subtract from, the compositional strength of the picture.

- Primary nd pastel colors
The strong primary colors-red, blue, nd yellow-grab attention nd r what u c first n the photograph. If they r nt the main subject feature, then will lead eye away from the main point of the photograph. Pastel colors r calming nd set a mood tranquility.



- Complementary Colors
Some colors work better 2gether than others. Red nd green (which r complementary colors) put 2gether hav a physical effect that helps 2 achieve visual energy nd three-dimensional form. Other color pairings that work well r blue nd orange, nd yellow nd violet.
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yala good luck all