In this article, we will introduce the various compositions commonly used in landscape photography, as well as tips and tricks for shooting.
1. The importance of composition
Even when the beautiful scenery unfolds in front of you, when you pick up the camera and press the shutter to take a picture, you may feel like something is missing, or it may not feel like what you see directly. But if you take a photo with a different composition and crop it, you may end up with a photo that perfectly expresses the image you want.
On the other hand, depending on the composition and cropping method, even an ordinary scene can make a good piece. Composition is very important in photography, not just in landscape photography.
2. Composition and shooting skills
There are many compositional techniques for landscape photography, but we introduce some compositions that are often used when photographing landscapes. As you think about how to shoot and capture a scene through your camera's viewfinder, these compositions will give you very useful suggestions.
(1). The rule of thirds
One of the very common compositional techniques is the rule of thirds, which is a type of composition in which the subject is divided into thirds, vertically and horizontally, along equal dividing lines. This will give you a sense of overall stability. In addition, by placing the part you want to emphasize at the intersection of the vertical and horizontal dividing lines, you can make a stronger impression.
The rule of thirds suggests:
Nine dividing lines can be displayed on many camera bodies. By displaying these 9 dividing lines, you can always think about the composition while keeping in mind the rule of thirds.
(2). Golden ratio
It's similar to the rule of thirds, but if you set the ratio of the composition line to 1:1.618 instead of 1:2, you'll create a composition called the golden ratio, and placing the subject along the composition line of the golden ratio can create an overall sense of balance and stability.
Golden Ratio Recommendations:
Cameras usually don't have the ability to display a golden ratio pattern, so try to consider 9 splits to show the area slightly further inside. Moreover, with the help of the cropping feature in Adobe Lightroom Classic.
(3). Golden Spiral (Golden Spiral)
A rectangle with a golden ratio (1:1.618) in length-to-width ratio is called a golden rectangle, and the spiral line formed by connecting the vertices of this golden rectangle is called a golden spiral, and the overall balance can be improved by arranging the subject along this golden spiral, similar to the composition of the golden ratio.
(4). Guide line
By finding lines and arrangements in nature that lead to something and incorporating them into the composition, you can achieve the effect of naturally directing the viewer's gaze, and by being aware of this effect, you can intentionally create a point within the entire perspective that you want to focus your gaze on.
(5). Frame composition/framing
As the name suggests, by creating a frame within the viewing angle, you can focus your eyes more on the subject. When taking landscape photos, people tend to try to take pictures in a more open area because they don't want an obstacle in front of them, but by deliberately using an obstacle as a frame, it can be more appealing to the viewer.
(6). Symmetry
This is a composition commonly used when shooting water mirror reflections, which are perfectly symmetrical vertically or horizontally.
(7). Make the most of depth
By adjusting the composition, you can emphasize the sense of perspective, giving the entire photo a sense of depth, which makes it possible to create impressive landscape photos.
(8). Foreground + wide angle + vertical composition
This method emphasizes the sense of depth by placing a unique subject in the foreground, and you can further enhance the effect by using an ultra-wide-angle lens and creating a vertical composition.
摄影器材:Sony α7R IV + Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM
Shooting environment: manual exposure, 14mm, F16, ISO100, 1/8 sec
(9). Use perspective
It's a way to emphasize perspective by gradually reducing the brightness of distant scenes, which usually happens naturally in foggy or hazy scenes, but by being aware of this, you can avoid missing out on great opportunities.
拍摄器材:索尼α7R IV +索尼FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
Shooting environment: Manual exposure, 18mm, F16, ISO100, 1/25 sec
摄影器材:Sony α7R III + ZEISS Stream 2/40 CF
摄影环境:手动曝光、40mm、F9、ISO6400、1/160 秒
3. Shooting effect display
拍摄设备:FUJIFILM GFX100S + FUJIFILM GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR
拍摄环境:手动曝光、52.9mm、F18、ISO100、1/400秒
摄影器材：Sony α7R III + Sigma 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM | Art
Shooting environment: Manual exposure, 46mm, F13, ISO100, 8.0 sec
摄影器材：Sony α7R III + Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM | Art
Shooting environment: Manual exposure, 16mm, F16, ISO100, 3.2 sec
摄影器材:索尼α7R IV + Voigtländer NOKTON 75mm F1.5
Shooting environment: Manual exposure, 75mm, F11, ISO100, 1/6 sec