Some Tips on Photography That Will Put You A Cut Above The Rest

So you have a camera and probably have read any photography books you can get your hands on. But you are still not satisfied with the photographs that you took. Well, I hope to share some photography tips (3 to be exact) here based on my personal experience!

1. See in Lines

Seeing your object's surrounding in lines and how they both interact helps in composition. Lines can be symmetrical line, segment lines. Symmetrical lines divide your picture and/or object proportionally and equally, whereas sector/segment lines divide your picture into segments, so you can decide which segment to place your object. The rule-of-third grid is an example of a set of segment lines.

Lines may intersect and these points of intersections can be considered as vanishing points.

More importantly, lines can be use to guide viewers to the object of interest.

Here's some examples.

There are many lines in this photography. The centre pillar acts as a symmetrical line. This creates a mirror effect. Also the additional use of vanishing point adds some dimension to the picture. Can you identify the vanishing point?

Here, I attempted to use the tram lines as a segment line. I took this photograph with a tram in the middle to add some flavour too. There is also a symmetrical line too. Can you identify it?

Here's an example to guiding lines. The stair as a visual guide to draw the viewer's attention to the viewing pod, the structure that looks like an onion.

2. Use Creative Frames

Extending on Tip #1, lines can also be used to frame up your object. 

Here are some examples.

This is not so obvious, but I have used the trees as a frame. 

Parapets or walls along the corridors make good framing lines. Sometimes they make photographs look interesting.

3.  Observe, Observe

This may seem obvious enough. Being observant helps you pick up interesting perspective, and may make your photography trips fruitful.

I managed to spot this heron peering, as if waiting for a train on a platform. heh~

Well, I did say three tips. But here's a bonus one: Keep Shooting! Practise, practise, practise. Observe, apply lines and snap away! 

Also, it is important to have fun!

Alright, hope these help!

~ ZF