Learning photography composition: Natural framing and my compositional journey so far
As you may have seen from my other posts, I am working hard to be a better outdoors photographer. That means more than just taking better photos, but, a big part of what I am working on right now is about taking better photos and reflecting on my journey. I identified late last year that my composition technique needed to be honed a little so here I am again talking about that!
Recently I have been fortunate to either be in situations where natural framing has been in plentiful opportunities as a technique or, hopefully, my photographic eye has become better at seeing them. Here are three recent examples.
I am really happy how they turned out, but also quite intrigued how different they are at the same time.
The hut through the trees was a very drawing experience with leading lines, very provoking for me, a strange feeling, in a strange environment. I almost felt like I was being watched and I think the image actually shows that from the watchers perspective.
The arch, and the bridge, very vibrant, full of energy, and focus. The river, if you can call it that was overflowing, the bridge I shot through was closed and water was on the path I was standing on, you see none of that, but at the same time I think you feel it.
Finally, the boat picture on Dungeness, this place means a lot to me, I grew up not far from it, I volunteered at the lifeboat station not far away and I got my first job as a fish monger at Richardson’s opposite the pilot. The fishing community plays a big role here, and that needs to be respected. I loved how theses lobster pots were stacked, they were stacked much higher than me, and I tried to convey that in the framing, the wall of pots, the scale, the peep of the boat that might lay them on the sea floor, all at dusk where the light was very washed and pasteled. I tried to convey the that experience walking amongst this typical coastal scene.
Another composition technique I tried recently is to use lines to draw the eye into the subject. I did this by using a telegraph pole, and placed it in front of the lighthouse, being a silhouette you cannot tell the two apart, but you can see the cables against the glowing sky and they all go towards the lighthouse. I really like this effect and I think it recreates that moment I clocked it in my position, it just draws you in.
In another thought, although really happy with those images, I feel like my ability to line up a fore, mid and background to create a classical landscape is still lacking in my outdoor photography arsenal. So I will try practice this and be mindful, but of course all the while still progressing my framing!
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