This photo is framed using the rule of thirds.
Great composition doesn't happen by accident. Photographers use camera lenses, viewfinders and LCD screens to frame scenes before clicking the camera's shutter button. This method of in-camera framing ensures distracting items get left outside of the camera's angle of view, and important features -- like people's heads -- get included, all without the use of computer-based photo editing.
Rule of Thirds
One of the most common photography framing concepts instructs photographers to envision a grid-like pattern overlaying the scene they see through their camera lenses. Imagine two vertical lines and two horizontal lines equally spaced across the scene -- like a tic-tac-toe board. This divides the image into three distinct vertical and horizontal areas.
When the photographer frames and composes the scene with the subject on one of the lines, or at the intersection of the lines, the image has a pleasing visual composition, known as the rule of thirds. This concept helps photographers veer away from center-framing their subjects.
Using Lines
Some photographers frame scenes with the use of naturally occurring lines. The natural separation between land and sky, a sandy beach and the water's edge or a line of perfectly planted trees create natural boundaries in a photo.
While looking through the viewfinder, look for a naturally occurring line and zoom your lens or reposition the camera according to the rule of thirds so the line falls on one of the imaginary grid lines.
Fast Moving Subjects
Once you've mastered capturing fast action scenes, use framing to make the scene come to life. Give your subject a space to move into. Make a still photo of a football player running to the end zone look like a still frame from a video clip. Frame the runner off center, with excess space in front of him. This gives the illusion of his impending movement into the empty space. This technique works well for a casual snapshot of a child preparing to throw a ball, or of a racehorse running laps.
Including and Excluding Content
While using these framing techniques, take note of everything inside and outside of the camera frame. Becoming more aware of your camera framing technique will inherently reduce common photography accidents, like trimming off a subject's head or including a garbage can in the background of an otherwise scenic photograph.
Before pressing the shutter button, take one last look around the perimeter of the scene visible through the camera lens. Make sure a stranger hasn't walked into the frame of a vacation picture or a power pole appears to magically grow out of your subject's head. You can easily remedy these photo distractions. Slightly reframe the shot by zooming the camera lens or walking a few steps.
Tags: rule thirds, camera lens, camera lenses, common photography, frame scenes, naturally occurring