Utilizing the rule of thirds

This is probably the most classic rule of composition, it’s the first rule almost all photographers learn and unfortunately the first rule they forget. It is particularly useful in helping photographers to place their subjects harmoniously, creating beautiful photographs. It is no coincidence that painters have been using it for centuries with amazing results.

Instructions:

Divide your frame into nine equal sections using two vertical and two horizontal lines. Place the main subject of your photo in one of the four sections or along the lines ( horizontal subjects e.g. horizon on one of the horizontal lines and vertical subjects e.g. people trees etc. on the vertical lines ). This technique will help a lot in achieving balance and will add interest to your photo.

Example:

If you are photographing a landscape, place the horizon line along the bottom horizontal line, especially if the sky is interesting ( e.g. dramatic clouds ) and if there is a tree or person in the scene, place them on one of the vertical lines on the left or right.

Use lines as a composition element

Instructions:

Look for lines in the location you are photographing so you can use them to guide the viewer’s eye to the main subject or through your entire frame. Lines can be straight or curved, such as roads, paths or rivers. Plus don’t forget that you can use them to create depth and perspective.

Example:

In a street photograph, use lines to guide the viewer’s attention from the foreground to a subject that is far away, creating a sense of depth as well as distance.

Also if you are photographing a landscape, place the horizon line along the bottom horizontal line, especially if the sky is interesting ( e.g. dramatic clouds ) and if there is a tree or person in the scene, place them on one of the vertical lines on the left or right.

Balancing the Elements in a photo using correct placement

Instructions:

Ensure that the elements in your photo are balanced. This doesn’t always mean that everything has to be symmetrical, but rather that the subjects and elements within the frame complement each other to create a harmonious composition.

Example:

In a portrait photo, if the subject is positioned on the left side of the frame, balance the photo by including an interesting background element or detail on the right side.

Use the Frame within Frame technique

Instructions:

Look for natural or man-made frames within your scene to enclose your subject. This could be anything from archways and doorframes to branches and windows. Framing helps to isolate your subject and draw focus to it.

Example:

If you are photographing a person in a garden, use an overhanging tree branch to create a frame around your subject, guiding the viewer’s eyes directly to them.

Use simple scenes and Minimalism

Instructions:

Don’t overcrowd your frame with too many subjects or elements. Simplify the scene to include only what is necessary to convey your intended message or story. Pay attention to the background and ensure it doesn’t distract from your main subject.

Example:

In a flower photography scene, instead of capturing an entire field of flowers, focus on a single flower and use a wide aperture to blur the background, ensuring the viewer’s attention stays on the main subject.

The post 5 composition tips for creating better photos appeared first on Ilumius - Free Photoshop Lightroom Affinity Photo Tutorials.

In today’s free photography tutorial I talk about my favorite photographic genre, portrait photography, and the tragic mistakes we all make sometimes!

Do you enjoy taking portraits? Perfect! Then you have DEFINITELY made at least 1 of these mistakes that I mention in today’s free photography tutorial. I know you did! And I will let you know a little secret. I make them too.

But why do we make these tragic portrait photography mistakes and how can we avoid them? Is the equipment to blame? Maybe our settings? The way we frame photos?

Well, in today’s free photography tutorial I will give you both answers and solutions! And I wish I could give so easily advice can could solve all the problems of my life!

So watch today’s free photography tutorial and see how many of these tragic mistakes you have made in YOUR portrait photography (I have done ALL Of them. Sigh ).

Enjoy!

The post Free Photography Tutorial: Tragic mistakes in portrait photography that you may also make. appeared first on Ilumius - Free Photoshop Lightroom Affinity Photo Tutorials.

In this free photography tutorial, Stratos Agiani will show you 3 hand poses that will improve your portraits and are suitable for sessions with female subjects that are not models.

Hands are probably one of the most difficult body part a photographer has to direct, especially when photographing female subjects that are not models.

How can one position a person’s hands effectively without creating a ‘stiff’ and ‘rigid’ posture? How can hands give the body a completely different look? And what are the pitfalls you must know how to avoid?

Stratos Agiani gives answers to all these questions in today’s photography tutorial in which he will show you 3 different hand poses that you and your model can easily use.

The post FREE PHOTOGRAPHY TUTORIAL: 3 POSING TIPS FOR HANDS EVERY PHOTOGRAPHER SHOULD KNOW appeared first on Ilumius - Free Photoshop Lightroom Affinity Photo Tutorials.

In this free photography tutorial, Stratos Agiani will show you a fantastic tip on how to create beautifully lit portraits under hard light, every single time.

Natural light is an excellent tool that can help you to create beautiful portraits. If managed in a wrong way though it can have catastrophic results. Especially when shooting under harsh conditions where the sun is high and you cannot photograph in the shade, poor results are almost guaranteed.

But wait a minute! Does this mean that it’s impossible to take beautifully illuminated portraits, under the harsh and ‘difficult’ sunlight? Nope. The reality is that you can take amazing portraits even under harsh light, if you know a little secret!

Find out about it and how you can use it in today’s free Photography Tutorial where Stratos Agiani tells you exactly what to do and why it will completely change the way you take portraits once and for all.

Enjoy!

The post FREE PHOTOGRAPHY TUTORIAL: THE SECRET FOR BEAUTIFUL PORTRAITS UNDER HARD NATURAL LIGHTING appeared first on Ilumius - Free Photoshop Lightroom Affinity Photo Tutorials.