“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” —Edgar Degas
What makes a great photograph? Is there any one aspect of the process which separates the merely good from the truly magnificent? Many candidates immediately spring to mind, such as subject matter, light, mood, and moment. In my opinion, however, one aspect clearly rises above the rest, and is the thread which ties all of these other qualities together. Composition—the artistic arrangement and placement of visual elements within the picture frame—is the most difficult aspect of the art of photography to master, and also the most important. Although the importance of the emotion evoked by a photograph’s subject matter and mood cannot be underestimated, likewise the primal visual response evoked by a skillful composition cannot be ignored or forgotten.
In my new ebook Visual Flow: Mastering the Art of Composition, I discuss a number of compositional tools and techniques which have been used by the masters of painting and photography for centuries. I’d like to share of few of these secrets with you today, as I present ten examples of my own nature compositions.
1. Torres del Paine, Chile
For this image of the famous Horns of Paine at sunrise, I was attracted to the repeating shapes formed by the curve of the waterfall in the foreground and the arcing clouds in the sky above. Foregrounds are really important to nature photography compositions, so you should make some effort to pick one which complements other areas of your scene.
2. Botany Bay, USA
Here, I was attracted to the radial pattern of lines formed by the dead tree and its shadow. Radiating diagonal lines can be very effective at commanding the viewer’s eye. They also focus attention on the place where the lines converge, so make sure it is an area of importance within the composition.
3. Glen Canyon, USA
I kayaked for twenty miles, swam through a flooded slot canyon, and was accosted by an angry beaver just so I could make this photo. I used the reflection of the sky as a leading element to encourage the viewer to travel deeper into the scene. Also, the slight curving shape of the reflection mimics the curving shapes found elsewhere in the canyon, creating a pattern of sorts. People are naturally attracted to repeating shapes; you can use this to your advantage when composing a photograph.
4. Sea turtle, Belize
I had been waiting for the moment when the sea turtle surfaced for air, but what set this image apart from others I took that day was the triangle shape formed by the turtle’s pose and position. Graphic shapes such as triangles and circles can help simplify a composition, and create bold photographs that get noticed.
5. Olympic rain forest, USA
This was one of the most visually chaotic places I have ever photographed. To simplify the composition, I relied on the foreground ferns to act as a “visual anchor,” using their eye-catching shape to attract the viewer’s eye and give them a logical starting point for their visual journey. The radiating lines formed by the mossy branches help focus attention within the image frame.
6. Snowy owl, Canada
What makes this shot special for me is more than merely the pose and the outstretched wings of the owl. The implied line created by the owl’s line of sight repeats the line formed by the cloud in the background. The cloud also helps to encourage the viewer to travel from left to right within the composition, whereas the owl’s line of sight pushes the eye back to the left. This creates a visual tug-of-war which keeps the viewer’s attention locked within the composition.
7. Great Sand Dunes, USA
For this image taken during a wicked sandstorm, I created a counterpoint relationship between the setting sun on the left and the crest of the dune on the right. A line of blowing sand connects the two visual elements, creating an energetic yet harmonious composition. I lost all of the hair on my legs that day, but it was totally worth it!
8. Isle of Lewis, Scotland
I traveled to what seemed like the ends of the Earth to make this photo of a rarely seen sea arch on a remote section of the Scottish coast. I used the rocks in the foreground to point to the arch, creating depth and encouraging the eye to travel into the scene.
9. Zion Narrows, USA
I was mainly attracted to the glowing canyon walls and the reflections of the sky in the water. I used the small cascade as a foreground visual anchor, letting the stream act as a leading element, receding into the distance and pulling the viewer’s eye along with it. Further interest is created by the repetition of shapes formed by the small cascades of water.
10. Red howler monkey, Peru
I resisted the temptation to zoom in tighter and focus the composition entirely on this high-wire sleeper, taking a well deserved nap after a hard day of monkey business. Instead, I decided to include some of the out-of-focus leaves which were lit by the setting sun. I used these highlight areas to frame the monkey, helping to focus attention on it while at the same time creating multiple areas of visual interest. This engages the viewer’s attention, encouraging them to more deeply explore the composition.
Remember, a snapshot shows the world what your camera sees, but when you create an effective composition, you show the world what you see. There’s no better way to invite viewers to share in your personal vision than by mastering the art of composition.