6.3. CREATING VISUAL RELATIONSHIPS

As you learned in Chapter 4, a strong composition is achieved by careful placement of the elements within the frame. The relationship between the size and position of the main subject and surrounding/supporting elements determines the effectiveness of the picture. You need to decide on the main subject, focal point, and/or center of interest first, and then arrange the elements in the composition to support your primary subject matter. Create these visual relationships with purpose and intention.

6.3.1. POINTS OF VIEW

The most important thing you can do to work a scene and establish the ideal visual relationships in the composition is move the camera. You'll find that even with very slight adjustments to the camera position you can create an amazingly diverse range of compositions from the same physical location (see 6-6 through 6-8).

Before choosing a place to set up your tripod, take a few minutes to just look around. Crouch down low, climb up high on a ridge, or move from side to side to evaluate how changing your view position affects the possible compositions. When you have a good idea of the composition you're looking for, set up the camera on the tripod.

Use the one-eye and invisible frame tricks explained in Chapter 2 to previsualize your shot.

Figure 6-6. Figure 6-6
Figure 6-7. Figure 6-7
Figure 6-8. ABOUT THESE PHOTOS Images ...

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