Page 58 - Learning How to Photograph with your DSLR Camera 2nd Edition Jan 2021

Composition

The Nassau Sound at Sunset, 20mm lens

For the above shot of the Nassau Sound I used a wide angle lens. Having foreground
interest is something I strive to add when using these type lenses because as I have
said previously, distant objects will look smaller. The tree roots I used to anchor the
shot and placed it 1/3 into the right of the scene. The setting sun I framed 1/3 into the
scene from the left. This helps to draw the viewer’s eye to the sun from the tree roots.
Photographers refer to this element of composition as the “rule of thirds”. We’ll discuss
more about elements of composition in the next lesson.

Planning

▪ Always look for interesting spots to come back to and consider
photographing. We all have driven or walked by an area that we
thought was particularly interesting. It always starts with considering a
site.
▪ Next, where is the sun or moon going to be?
▪ Weather conditions for that day, tide times.
▪ Equipment needed; tripod, remote release, filters

The Photographer Ephemeris is especially helpful in planning. You can do a web search
and find the online version or download the Android or Apple version to your phone.

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