Creative Composition in Photography (Keeping it Simple).

Photographic composition is a wide ranging topic. This week I would like to share how (by keeping it simple in that regard) I more often than not end up with an image I would like to hang on my wall.

A section of cloud, photographed by using a simple (less is more) compositional approach, makes a great piece of art on a wall.

What is creative composition?

Quite simply put, it is photographing something in a way that one wouldn’t normally expect.

Take the image of the cloud, or part of the cloud, above, for example.

If I just wanted to share with you that I saw a cloud, I could simply have photographed it in its entirety.

But I didn’t (obviously).

I wanted to isolate part of it against the sky, using a longer focal length lens.

Which part - or why - exactly?

Great question!

And I don’t have an answer.

You see, creativity is highly personal.

For me, with the image of the cloud above (or below at the end of the post), it just made sense when I composed it like I did.

But I kept it simple, in a creative way.

And by including less - or only part - of the subject in the frame, the resulting image has more impact. It invites the viewer into it, to wonder through it mentally (and visually, of course).

In short, it invokes emotion.

Which ones?

Great question, again!

And I again have no answer.

You see, that depends on the person viewing the image, and their unique thoughts and background.

Which is what makes photography so powerful as a story telling medium (more on that in a future post).

And in keeping my compostion simple (by including less in the frame) and being creative with it (only including part of something, for instance), I find I often end up with more impactful images.

And you know where this works especially well?

With “boring” subjects!

(Don’t tell anyone I told you).

Like clouds (although I don’t find clouds boring).

As to the editing?

I also tend to keep it simple and don’t do too much, see my before / after edit below.

L-R: Initial capture (RAW image file); Final edit in colour before b/w conversion.

I hope I’m making sense this week.

I think I am.

Let me know if I’m wrong.

Of course, one can use any camera and lens combonation to compose in a creative way. So don’t think about it too much, get out there and make some images!

Then share with me, if you like, or not.

But be sure to share them with someone, or somewhere, or both.

Maybe even write about it :-)

The corner of a billowing cloud, captured by using a longer lens to isolate it against a blue sky, then converted to b/w in during editing.

That’s it, I hope you found at least a small bit of usefullness in this week’s post.

Do you have any interesting stories or thoughts to share?

Simply hit reply and let me know / comment below.

Have a great week!

—

Until next time ✌🏽.

Cornelius

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