If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the world is literally exploding with prose. Everywhere you turn, someone is posting a picture. Everything from the latest weather occurrence to a selfie is captured for the entire digital world to see. And you don’t need a fancy camera with an expensive lens to get a great shot. A friend recently snapped this beauty of Highclere Castle (a.k.a. Downton Abbey) on her iPhone.
The picture works on several levels. It has good symmetry, depth and mood. And while most of us aren’t aiming for professional photographic quality in our pics, we wouldn’t mind taking better shots. As this picture proves, all you need is your camera phone and some basic tips on composition. So here are three composition tips for the everyday picture taker:
1. Focal point: Make sure your subject is the focal point. Ensure that nothing else in the frame will distract or pull the eye away from your subject.
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2. Viewpoint/Perspective: Experiment with taking pictures from different angles or levels. Shoot from low down or from up high. Shoot in portrait (vertically) and landscape (horizontally). Zoom in; zoom out.
3. Framing: Use foreground objects such as doors, windows, arches, trees, or any opening to frame your photo. This naturally draws the viewer’s eyes to the focal point.
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At ECU, we’re pros at composition. Our marketing materials — from posters and brochures to branding and identity packages — balance visuals, typography, content and color to create the most impact, reaching your target audiences efficiently and effectively. Contact us to see how we can help your company create marketing materials that engage, captivate and motivate.
Anne Vogel, Writer/Editor
ECU Communications
