The joy of photography is how you frame and compose a scene!

I remember when I discovered that my Canon SD 600 digital point and shoot camera had a “rule of thirds” grid, I was enthralled! To me, it opened up a whole new world of photography to me; the fun challenge and the game of composition. Even now, I am endlessly fascinated with composition. Just how simple yet elusive composition is.

For example, a lot of the compositional principles are very simple. Diagonals, curves, dynamic (off center) compositions are generally more powerful and interesting to look at.

For a long time, I’ve always been curious about “the secret” of making great compositions. But now, I’m more interested in composition for fun; the fun visual challenge of arranging all of the different visual elements within the rectangle of our viewfinder.

In short, photography is a game with arranging puzzle pieces in our viewfinder. Photography is visual play!

See composition

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Never stop analyzing your compositions, while you’re shooting and after the fact. This is how you can build your visual muscles:

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Much of improving your composition is “post mortem” examinations of photos you believe to have lovely, balanced, and dynamic compositions. 

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All day photography 

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Ultimately I don’t think there is an ultimate set of rules of what makes a good or bad composition. Half the fun of photography is the visual challenge, and the visual play of photography.

So never stop shooting, and shoot everyday like visual exercise; just how you would exercise your muscles every day! 

Play on! 

ERIC