Photo Friday - 7 Powerful Secrets That Will Transform Your Landscape Photography Today

Learn how the rules of photography come together to make this a powerful image

While you might think the subject is too small in this image, it is distinctive, and our eye goes to it almost immediately. Here’s why:

1. Rule of Thirds

   1. Used vertically

   2. The horizon line isn’t in the middle, cutting the photo in half

2. Converging lines lead the viewer’s eye to the subject

3. The subject is distinctive and recognizable

4. Leading lines from both corners lead the viewer’s eyes into the image

5. A strong subject in the lower right corner anchors the foreground

6. The sky is a deep blue, a complementary color to the yellow/brown of dirt in the foreground

7. Deep depth of field (DOF)

   1. It has a foreground (the tree on the lower right)

   2. The middle ground is dark, in contrast to the foreground and background (sky)

   3. The background (the subject) is distinct from the sky (it’s surrounded by white)

Takeaways

1. Create powerful images using the Rule of Thirds vertically and horizontally.

2. Use converging lines to draw the viewer into the image.

3. Use leading lines to draw the viewer’s eye into the image.

4. Place a subject in the foreground to anchor the scene.

5. Use color effectively for interest and contrast.

Did this help explain some of the rules in photography?

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Photo Friday is a weekly critique of a photograph I captured. I discuss elements like composition, lighting, and color balance so you learn how I “see” and pick up tips to improve your images. If you'd like to participate, please send me one of your photos, and I'll review it in a post on Photo Friday.

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Read last week’s Photo Friday. It’s about…environmental portraiture.

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