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Professional Photography
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Photo Composition Tutorial #1
Avoiding Clutter in the Frame By Emma David
Staff Writer/Photographer (Photos by Stephen Kristof, Staff Writer/Photographer) © 2012, FreePhotoCourse.com; all rights reserved It sounds like a relatively easy thing to remember when taking pictures; be aware of what's in your frame and avoid clutter. Simple advice that's easy to follow, right? Well, it's not necessarily as easy as it sounds! While it doesn't take a rocket scientist to follow this advice, it's much harder to accomplish when you're thinking about everything else there is to consider while trying to get that perfect shot. It can all be so overwhelming. F-stop, shutter speed, ISO, light meter, direction of light, focal length, angle...argghh!! For the beginner through to the intermediate photographer, these technical challenges can distract us just enough that we become less aware of exactly what we have allowed into the frame. It's said that great photographers have strong powers of observation that generally only police detectives, judges and psychologists possess. This is something that comes with time and practice. But, as a photographer at any level, you really have to push yourself to be observant to all of the details both in and out of your frame. Sometimes it's as easy as removing that pesky pop can someone left on the ground or moving your camera a bit so that the garbage can that's trying to sneak into your picture stays out of it! In the examples below, see how our photographer improved on his first picture by leaving things out and putting other things into his second shot. 
© 2012, FreePhotoCourse.com, all rights reserved
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The picture above features a charming fishing village along the gently curving waterfront. It seems to have all of the elements that make for a beautiful image; a sloping treeline providing perspective and depth, several triangular shapes that appeal to the eye, old buildings with character, a breakwall, fishing boats and an outcropping of rocks near the center bottom of the frame. However, upon closer examination, the frame also contains a monument that does not seem relevant to the mood of the picture, a large "OPEN" sign, a modern light post, a fitness club sign, a car and motorcycles in a parking lot. The two people sitting on a bench seem appropriate to the scene but the photographer needs to ask if they add to or detract from the intended feel of the photo?
The second photo, seen below, removes these distracting elements and clutter and the result is a far better and more artistic picture. It's achieved by a tiny pan toward the right. 
© 2012, FreePhotoCourse.com, all rights reserved
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At the beginning of this article, I mentioned that a good photographer should be aware of details that are both within and outside of the frame. The picture above aptly illustrates how our photographer paid attention to the two boats that were approaching in the channel. Not only did he effectively remove the clutter and distracting elements, but he also enhanced the overall feel and appearance of this nautical themed photograph by including something that was not in his first attempt.
Upon closer review, we see how some other composition themes come into play. The V-shaped ripples thrown off the back of the two boats provide a bit of rhythm that keeps the eye moving and interested. As well, those ripples create even more triangular shapes that appeal to the eye. Further, the boats and ripples provide movement and compliment the overall curve that moves the eye around the picture in a semi-circular fashion.
Pay attention to everything inside and outside of your frame and you have conquered an important aspect of photographic composition!
Upon closer review, we see how some other composition themes come into play. The V-shaped ripples thrown off the back of the two boats provide a bit of rhythm that keeps the eye moving and interested. As well, those ripples create even more triangular shapes that appeal to the eye. Further, the boats and ripples provide movement and compliment the overall curve that moves the eye around the picture in a semi-circular fashion.
Pay attention to everything inside and outside of your frame and you have conquered an important aspect of photographic composition!
The concept of clutter or more correctly, the lack of it, is at the heart of the next photo composition theme explained in our next article, titled, "Negative Space - Giving the Eye a Rest".
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