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Composition and Exposure

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The visual language of photography

Composition is the visual glue that holds your picture together.

By Mason Resnick - February 26, 2009


But technical perfection is just a start. You also need to compose your photo. There are a lot of parts to composition:

  • Color: complementary or clashing?
  • Contrast: will the light and dark areas of the picture work harmoniously together to guide the viewers eye the way you want it to?
  • Placement: Are all the elements in the photos in the right place within the frame?
  • Distractions: Are you focusing on what's important, and eliminating what isn't?

There's much more to composition, and we explore many aspects of it here. If you really, truly want to become a better photographer, spend some time in this part of our site.

 

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FAQ: How do you control shutter speed to minimize camera shake?

The "one-over-the-focal-length" rule for handheld photography, explained

ArticleComposition and Exposure Techniques and How-Tos - by Mason Resnick, 4 days ago

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Here's a modern modification of a rule of thumb for shake-free handheld photos.

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Read each scene's "fine print"

Watch out for—and immediately correct—visual gotchas

ArticleComposition and Exposure Techniques and How-Tos - by Bryan F. Peterson , 11 days ago

A discerning eye should be every photographer's goal. A discerning eye catches the smallest of details, details that otherwise would have a negative effect on the overall composition.

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TAGS: DSLR,  tripod,  composition,  telephoto 

Call for submissions: PhotoZAP

Our panel of critics praises and pans your photos

ArticlePhotoZAP Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, January 1, 2012

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Think you’ve got the photographic chops? Ready to take some constructive criticism from a trio of photo experts who will pull no punches? Jump into the fire and send us your near-perfect shots!

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TAGS: Digital photography,  creativity,  PhotoZAP 

Compelling and Creative Images—AdoramaTV

You Keep Shooting

ArticleAdorama TV Techniques and How-Tos - by Bryan Peterson, December 27, 2011

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In this episode, Bryan Peterson goes to a Canadian junkyard and produces three great images.

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TAGS: macro,  macro photography,  composition,  bryan peterson 

Five Creative Ways to Shoot The Tree

Decorated a tree? Get some great pictures of your work!

ArticleComposition and Exposure Techniques and How-Tos - by Fred Singer, December 23, 2011

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During the month of December, millions of people across the country have an evergreen tree sitting in their living rooms, bedecked with colorful lights and ornaments befitting the holiday season.

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TAGS: exposure,  composition 

How to Photograph Flat Artwork

It's all about camera and light placement

ArticleComposition and Exposure Techniques and How-Tos - by Mason Resnick, December 1, 2011

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With the right equipment, photographing paintings, lithographs, or other fine-art is fairly straightforward—or is it? Here's a look at how to use studio lights and a tripod to make a successful reproduction.

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TAGS: tripod,  light stands,  restoration,  lighting technique,  Flashpoint,  art history,  art 

Garbage In, Art Out

Mining the Mundane for Great Photos

ArticleComposition and Exposure Techniques and How-Tos - by Bryan F. Peterson , September 8, 2011

Just like mining for real gold, mining 'gold' images seems to be a goal shared by most photographers, yet some of the finest gold to be mined is often overlooked. These images remain 'buried', hidden in some truly mundane locations...and sometimes, in a heap of garbage!

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TAGS: macro,  close-up,  macro photography,  composition,  extension tubes 

Taking Pictures Through Glass

Reflections on a compositional element

ArticleComposition and Exposure Techniques and How-Tos - by Allen Rokach with Anne Millman, August 29, 2011

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Glass is both a joy and a nuisance to photograph. It has three wonderful properties that captivate the imagination and have the potential to transform the mundane into the magical. These same properties, however, can also be frustrating aspects of the material.

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TAGS: filter,  reflections,  polarizer,  polarizing,  windows,  window light 

Some Things Blue

Cool color, practical advice

ArticleComposition and Exposure Techniques and How-Tos - by PPSOP Staff, June 27, 2011

Blue is arguably the most popular of colors and evokes a vast range of meaning culturally and personally.  Blue moon, the blues, blue morning, blue sky, blue jeans, bluebells, blue bonnet, perhaps Picasso's Azul Period (1901-1904) best characterizes the melancholy and poetic power of blue.

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TAGS: photoshop,  colors,  color management,  photoshop elements,  RAW,  color temperature,  Photoshop CS5 

f/8 And Be There

It's not just a photographic technique: It's a philosophy for documentary, street, and travel photographers

ArticleOutdoor and Travel Techniques and How-Tos - by Sandy Ramirez, June 22, 2011

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When asked how he was capable of getting such amazing images on a consistent basis, Arthur “Weegee” Fellig replied “Simple. f/8 and be there.” Since that time this simple statement has become the mantra of Documentary Photography, held as scripture, writ in stone.

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TAGS: street photography,  35mm,  Focus on Travel Photography,  Focus on Street Photography 

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