Digital Photography Composition For Dummies

Turn ordinary photographsinto striking works of art

Are you an aspiring photographer looking to take your work to the next level? This hands–on, friendly guide shows you the elements, techniques, and conventions used by skilled and successful photographers that will transform your photos from "eh" to "oooohhh!" Plus, you′ll become an expert on the parts, functions, and capabilities of your camera.

Refocus your eye — understand how composition produces higher–quality photos and train yourself to look at things from a new viewpoint

Get some perspective — discover how working with backgrounds, lighting, framing, and formatting can enhance your photos

Find your inspiration — get professional tips and tricks for using color, depth of field, reflective elements, and more to take creative photos

Know your subject — create compositionally remarkable photos featuring all types of subjects, from people and wildlife to still–life and subjects in motion

Open the book and find:

A quick list of skills you need to compose interesting photos

How to train your eye to see things the way a camera does

Camera settings and capabilities you′ll use

Essential design principles

Guidance on snapping color and black–and–white photos

Tips for preventing (and fixing) background problems

Ways to choose between horizontal or vertical formats

Learn to:

Master the craft of composing a photograph, whether film or digital

Develop your eye for composition by exploring lots of techniques

Apply and practice new skills as you learn them

IN FULL COLOR!

Introduction.

Part I: The Basics of Composition.

Chapter 1: Photographic Composition: The Overview.

Chapter 2: Developing an Eye for Composition.

Chapter 3: Getting to Know Your Equipment.

Part II: Elements of Photographic Design.

Chapter 4: Introducing the Elements of Photographic Design.

Chapter 5: Arranging Visual Elements in a Frame According to the "Rules".

Chapter 6: Paying Attention to Color in Composition.

Part III: Arranging the Key Elements to Compose a Successful Shot.

Chapter 7: Using Focal Points to Tell a Story.

Chapter 8: Finding Your Perspective.

Chapter 9: Backgrounds: As Important as the Subject.

Chapter 10: Using Light to Tell Your Story.

Chapter 11: Adding Interest through Framing and Formatting.

Chapter 12: Exploring Other Compositional Ideas.

Part IV: Composition in Action.

Chapter 13: Showing People in Their Best Light.

Chapter 14: In Nature: Landscapes and Wildlife.

Chapter 15: Shooting Still–Life Photography.

Chapter 16: Capturing (Or Stopping) Motion through Photography.

Chapter 17: Artsy Photos: Fine Art, Composite Pictures, and Abstracts.

Chapter 18: Improving Composition through Postproduction Editing.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Improve Composition.

Chapter 20: Ten Tips for Finding Photographic Inspiration.

Chapter 21: Viewing Ten Compositions of One Scene.

Index.

Tom Clark is a successful commercial photographer in Miami who shoots for local and international publications on a freelance basis. Tom′s commercial photography portfolio includes clients such as Sony, Nike, Puma, and others.