Use ‘Gaussian Blur’ to better determine your compositions in photography:
Why Gaussian Blur?
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/0-flower.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Gaussian Blur: better helps you determine the “figure to ground” of a photograph [contrast].
The basic notion is this:
Create separation/contrast between your subject and the background.
The more your subject can “pop” from the background, the better.
The test
![How to apply gaussian blur in photoshop](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/photoshop-gaussian-blur-1-2000x1128.png?resize=1200%2C677&ssl=1)
![Radius of blur in gaussian blur for photoshop](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/photoshop-gaussian-blur-2-2000x1122.png?resize=1200%2C673&ssl=1)
The test is simple:
- Apply Gaussian Blur to your photograph
- See if the photograph “pops” from the background
- Draw in the composition, to better get a sense of the proportions of your composition.
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/0-flower.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/flower-blur-.jpeg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/flower-blur-2-.jpeg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/flower-blur-3.jpeg?ssl=1)
What we are looking for
![High-key. Los Angeles, 2019 #cindyproject](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/496DF01A-3FA0-4C18-82E7-2D582C3C12D6.jpeg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/0205AEA0-B7DC-422D-82CB-BA0877EE4A85.jpeg?ssl=1)
We are striving towards the optimal “simple” composition.
Furthermore, by applying Gaussian Blur to your photos, you better understand your compositions.
Inverse + Gaussian Blur
Another tip:
Inverse your photo, then apply the Gaussian Blur.
This further abstracts your images, and helps you even better understand your compositions.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/39F9BA47-5C80-4F1A-9C44-69D2264AA0EA.jpeg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3CA0F0D6-E650-4DD4-A000-A80D21921F81.jpeg?ssl=1)
Sketching your compositions
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/0DAF11E4-B63E-4F6D-8871-AF3DC2326DCC.png?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/6246F886-4D73-41EE-8C60-D1E555FA426F.jpeg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/4B4A2539-2156-40DE-92BD-1A592D70262C.jpeg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/9D3049DD-64CE-41F3-B920-44E99635067F.jpeg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/5A75E9FC-BE8B-4AB0-AA78-2233020C2C53.jpeg?ssl=1)
Another idea:
Take a composition you like, then use an app like ProCreate [iPad] to fill in the blurry portions of your frame, to better understand the geometry/proportions of your frame.
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/0AD898FC-87BB-4021-8765-EF760473EC84.jpeg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/CD2ECA53-86D8-4BB3-93C9-9598B49409FD.jpeg?ssl=1)
Then turn your composition layers into an animated GIF, to better understand the composition.
![Animated GIF created in procreate for ipad](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DD955352-CDAE-445F-A184-B944FC8D3F75-2000x1333.gif?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
No glasses test
Another thought:
Look at your photos without having your glasses on [to simulate the “gaussian blur”]
Or if you have good eyes, cover one eye, and squint the other one.
Or look at your photos as small thumbnails to better determine the composition.
![Los Angeles, 2019 #cindyproject #21mm](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1A52D605-E349-46C7-A427-322C81DF9C5F.jpeg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/A06F3226-A4C6-4C2D-8293-9A78384317A0.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Filled in photograph with iPad and Procreate app](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/B9C5EEC3-FEC4-48B1-93F4-0158C4336065-2000x1333.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Blur is good
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cindy-blur-red-lisbon-1.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cindy-blur-red-lisbon-1-gaussian-.jpeg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/eric-kim-selfie-blur-4.jpg?ssl=1)
![Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cindy-blur-1.jpg?ssl=1)
![London, 2018 Ricoh blur](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/london-hands-blur-movement-077.jpg?ssl=1)
![London, 2018 #cindyproject](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cindy-hands-blur-london-042.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/gaussian-blur-2.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Black-and-White-Street-Portraits-ERIC-KIM16-blur.jpg?ssl=1)
![Yellow blur Cindy at night. Tokyo, 2018](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/eric-kim-street-photography-tokyo-2018-0619752.jpg?ssl=1)
![Blurry Cindy, low angle perspective. Hanoi, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/eric-kim-photography-0009403-cindy-project-O.jpg?ssl=1)
Blur more of your photos [Gaussian Blur after the fact], or blurry out-of-camera!
- Shoot out of focus photos intentionally
- Photograph moving subjects [while you are standing still]
- Photograph stationary subjects as you are moving
- Photograph moving subjects as you are moving
- Photograph stationary subjects while intentionally pulling your camera toward the frame or away [slow shutter speed].
![Separation is clear Between the head of the man and the white water. This picture passes our “figure to ground” test.](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1-blur-figure-to-ground.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2-blur-figure-to-ground.jpg?ssl=1)
![Separation of the mans head from the black on top of the frame. Strong figure figure to ground.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/3-blur-figure-to-ground.jpg?ssl=1)
![Cindy blur. Saigon, 2017](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eric-kim-saigon-cindy-project-black-and-white-2.jpg?ssl=1)
![Blurry picture of Cindy. Kyoto, 2017.](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0136109.jpg?ssl=1)
![Blurry stairs at night. Uji, Kyoto 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0135383.jpg?ssl=1)
![Shot with a slower shutter speed. You can feel the movement in this picture with the motion blur. Cindy, 2016](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/22E865AD-D57E-4590-843E-B2E349496A49.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Blurred London skyline, 2018](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ACC38E62-767D-4556-B987-A857B4F06E9E.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Cindy with blurred hands on face. London, 2018](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/16590B52-2666-4158-A3FC-CD60E2E2E7AB.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Yellow blur Cindy at night. Tokyo, 2018](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/eric-kim-street-photography-tokyo-2018-0619752.jpg?ssl=1)
Anti-perfection
Blur is better. Why? Photos become more “imperfect”; which are more beautiful.
SHOOT ON!
ERIC
COMPOSITION
![ERIC KIM X ANNETTE KIM X BAUHAUS REMIX](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/opacity2-800x533.jpg?resize=800%2C533)
Master composition for yourself:
Street Photography Composition Tips
![Tokyo, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/tokyo-flip-phone-street-photography-1-1000x662.jpg?resize=1000%2C662)
- The Superman Low Angle Perspective Photography Composition Effect
- High Angle Perspective Street Photography Composition Technique
- How to Shoot Low Angle Perspective Street Photography Composition Technique
Photography Composition Concepts
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/all-hanoi-edge-detection-1000x375.png?resize=1000%2C375)
- How to Teach Yourself Photography Composition
- Composition vs Aesthetics in Photography
- 10 Simple Composition Tips to Make Better Photos
- How to Compose a Photograph
- Edge Detection Photography Composition
- Vector (Arrow) Photography Composition
- Clear and Obscure (Chiaroscuro) Photography Composition
Photography Composition Tips
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/AADD2359-1A7C-440A-8BE9-B447E34365D0-1000x667.jpeg?resize=1000%2C667)
- How to Photograph Motion
- Photography Composition: Which Direction is Your Subject Looking?
- Blocking Technique in Photography
- How to Shoot a Triangle Photography Composition
- How to shoot a golden triangle composition in street photography
- 8 Simple Curve Composition Tips
- 5 Simple Henri Cartier-Bresson Composition Tips
- Foot Zoom
- Photography Composition: Light and Dark
- Street Photography Composition Lesson #16: Scale
- Shape, Arrangement, Position (S.A.P.) and Contour, Inter-Contact, Position (C.I.A.) in Photography
- 10 Tips How to Fill the Frame in Photography
- Look Up! 16 Photography Composition Perspective Tips
- 5 Simple Street Photography Composition Tips
- Depth Perception
- Golden Angle Composition in Street Photography
- Photographer as an “Arranging Artist”
- Dynamic Off-Center Street Photography Compositions
- 5 Essential Composition Tips in Photography
Color Theory
![Color wheel theory: Dynamic tension between opposing colors.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-08-at-11.06.08-PM.png?resize=438%2C479)
- Red and Green Composition Color Theory For Photographers
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Color Photography
- Opponent Process Color Theory For Photographers
- Color Theory For Photographers
- Color Manual
- How to Shoot Color Street Photography
Learn From the Masters of Composition
![Sergio Larrain Compositions](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AE39D47C-EFC8-44A2-BFE3-D02EE26C1097.jpeg?resize=431%2C704)
- 10 Lessons Matisse Can Teach You About Art and Life
- Henri Cartier-Bresson Composition
- 10 Timeless Lessons Edward Weston Can Teach You About Photography
- 10 Inspirational Sergio Larrain Compositions
- 5 Henri Cartier-Bresson Photography Composition Lessons
Dynamic Photography Composition 101
![Leading lines. ERIC KIM DYNAMIC COMPOSITION](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/5BB65076-6E5D-4B13-A53E-8E7CACE76199.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800)
- Introduction to Dynamic Photography Composition
- How to Visually Analyze Your Photography Compositions
- Dynamic Tension: Opponent Based Theory For Photography
- Opponent Process Color Theory For Photographers
- Dynamic Photography Composition 101: Figure to Ground
Painting Compositions
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AB0C9FBC-BFB4-4800-9ADE-91FD4BAF4BE3-1500x2000.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1600)
Dynamic Photography Composition Tips
![Chiaroscuro. DYNAMIC LIGHT AND SHADOW. Hanoi, 2016 by ERIC KIM](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/1F6DDCBA-F2FF-4148-A87C-69D5CB628213-2000x1324.jpeg?resize=1200%2C794)
- 7 Simple Photography Composition Tips
- How to Make Aggressive Photography Compositions
- 10 Dynamic Photography Composition Tips
- How to Make More Dynamic Picture Compositions
- Unorthodox Photography Composition Techniques
- Deconstructed: Saigon Eric Kim Photos
Composition Theory
![Dynamic low angle composition. Tokyo, 2011 by ERIC KIM](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/4AA45DE6-490D-42BC-9289-B1A3CCC3CF82-2000x1330.jpeg?resize=1200%2C798)
Take your composition to the next level:
- Gestalt Theory
- Juxtaposition
- Center Eye
- Low-Angle
- Dutch Angle
- Deep Depth
- Spacing
- Silhouette
- Leading Lines
- Figure to Ground
- Fibonacci Spiral
- Cropping
- Emotion
- Composition by Eric Kim
Street Photography Composition 101
![DYNAMIC REFLECTIONS. Man and three reflections by ERIC KIM](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/D1244C01-F22D-4613-850A-0224FF12F378-2000x1817.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1090)
For distilled lessons on composition, read the free ebook: “The Street Photography Composition Manual.”
Further articles to improve your compositions in photography:
- Composition Lesson #1: Triangles
- Composition Lesson #2: Figure-to-ground
- Composition Lesson #3: Diagonals
- Composition Lesson #4: Leading Lines
- Composition Lesson #5: Depth
- Composition Lesson #6: Framing
- Composition Lesson #7: Perspective
- Composition Lesson #8: Curves
- Composition Lesson #9: Self-Portraits
- Composition Lesson #10: Urban Landscapes
- Composition Lesson #11: “Spot the not”
- Composition Lesson #12: Color Theory
- Composition Lesson #13: Multiple-Subjects
- Composition Lesson #14: Square Format
Composition Theory
![Chiaroscuro. DYNAMIC LIGHT AND SHADOW. Hanoi, 2016 by ERIC KIM](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/24CF061A-6AF9-46FC-BBF6-90792EE927CF-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
Learn compositional theory:
- Why is Composition Important?
- Don’t Think About Composition When You’re Shooting Street Photography
- How to Use Negative Space
- Street Photography Composition 101
- The Theory of Composition in Street Photography: 7 Lessons from Henri Cartier-Bresson
Compositional lessons from the masters of art
Composition lectures
Composition pictures/grids
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Arrange-eric-kim-composition-mondrian-umbrella.png?resize=800%2C600)
![Eric Kim photography Bauhaus Piet Mondrian](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/835C34C0-BB15-4C56-AC8B-6CF193FA519B-800x571.jpeg?resize=800%2C571)
Golden Diagonal Composition
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720890-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720901-golden-diagonal-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![golden diagonal composition](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720900-golden-diagonal-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720899-golden-diagonal-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720898-golden-diagonal-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720897-golden-diagonal-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720896-golden-diagonal-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720895-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720894-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720893-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720892-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eric-kim-street-photography-lumix-24mm-shooting-head-on-kyoto-station-8720891-1200x802.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)