Nature Photography Photo Workshop

4.3. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Good nature photography requires conscious design. Some people are inclined to think that because nature "is what it is" and you can just point your camera at it and take a picture that the photographic process can be approached randomly. Sure, some photographers shoot without ever looking through the viewfinder — hold the camera in one hand away from the body, press and hold the shutter, and wave the camera around. You might get an interesting picture.

But that's certainly not photographing with intention or purpose. When you're ready to take creative control over your photographs, you need to assume full responsibility for everything that ends up in the final image. Remember that a great photograph is no accident — by simply deciding to direct the process you've made a big step forward. The rest is mastering the skills to visually express your ideas. Photographic design is about how you actively choose the inclusion and arrangement of the elements within the frame.

Following are descriptions of the essential graphic elements that you can use to build strong compositions.

4.3.1. POINT

A point is the basic building block in any picture. A point can be visible or invisible. An invisible point can be created by small objects within the frame or at the intersection of lines and shapes (see 4-9 through 4-12). Points establish corners and edges.

As a viewer looks at your photograph, points are the places where the eye changes direction and/or comes to rest. ...