This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking an affiliate link it doesn’t cost you any extra, but I might make a small commission. I use this money to help pay for blog hosting, homeschool stuff, and snack cakes.
Last week I had planned to go search around some thrift shops for some supplies for a project, but the weather was really uncooperative so I decided to switch gears and work my way through a photography composition tutorial while Wyatt had a nap. I got to keep my stretchy pants on and I didn’t have to worry about getting frostbite. It was a wise decision.
I got one of my tiny gnomes (similar) out and went to work.
Rule of Thirds
First up I composed a photo using the rule of thirds. Imagine the scene you’re composing is split up into a 3×3 grid. You want your main subjects to line up along along these imaginary lines to help you achieve balance in your photo.
Some cameras have a grid you can turn on that makes it easier to get your shot composed correctly, but I opted not to use that feature and just wing it. You can see I didn’t do half bad.
Balancing Elements
Sometimes when we place our main subject off-center, we’re left with a void we might want to fill. In that case, you’ll want to introduce a balancing element – something that isn’t the focus of your photograph but will fill the void. This gnome in this photo is composed similarly to the one above, but the addition of the balancing element gives it a whole new feel.
Leading Lines
Out of all the photography composition rules I’ve worked on, leading lines is where I struggle the most. You want to compose your subject in way that the lines of the photo draw the reader to your subject. Here I placed Mr. Gnome along a literal line. It wasn’t until later that I realized I should have adjusted my depth of field for a crisper line, but I’m going to go ahead and blame that on the great distraction of realizing Mr. Gnome’s watering can spout vaguely resembles a penis. *sigh*
Vantage Point
A lot of us have a tendency to take a lot of photographs right at eye level. I mean, of course we do. It’s easiest to just point the camera ahead of us and take a picture. But by changing our vantage point we can completely change the feel of a photograph. By shooting down on the gnome you get to experience the scene in a totally different way. You also get to see a lot more of that penis-spout. You’re welcome?
Background
Sometimes background noise can be a distraction from your main subject, and in those instances, you might want to go for something plain that allows your subject stand out. For this photo I used a simple sheet of black poster board as my background, and I love the way it turned out. Easily my favorite picture of a gnome holding a phallic water can.
Depth
It can often be hard to convey the actual depth of a scene through a photograph, but by composing it with elements in the back, middle, and foreground you can help the viewer experience the photo more realistically. Here I used the edge of the shelf in the foreground, Mr. Gnome in the middle, and a few objects scattered at various points in the background.
Framing
Framing is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. You compose your shot with your subject framed in some way. For this shot I introduced a jug and a stack of plates just barely into the frame and placed Mr. Gnome in the middle. This helped to isolate Mr. Gnome and help him stand out more.
Cropping
There are various reasons you might want to crop in tighter on a subject. It can help a smaller subject stand out. It can help reduce background noise. Or you might want to hone in on details of your subject that can’t be expressed without a tighter crop. Mr. Gnome has a lot of unique details that weren’t captured when he was cropped wider in the picture, but now you can see them in all their glory.
I hope you found my interpretation of these common photography “rules” helpful! Let me know which photo you like best. And tell me, should I keep photographing Mr. Gnome with his inappropriate watering can?
Equipment used in the creation of these photographs:
Canon Rebel t3i (discontinued) – Canon Rebel t5i is the updated model
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 lens – My favorite lens!
Cropped shot was taken using a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens – Who says a kit lens can’t make an awesome photo?
P.S. I’d love for you to checkout my photography board on Pinterest, as well as my Amazon favorites where I have curated lists of things we genuinely use and love.
Want to keep up with all my cake-fueled ramblings? You can subscribe to my newsletter or find me at one of these places:
These are adorable! I love these little gnomes, I have a few myself lol
It’s a tie between the first and the third photo! Those are my absolute favorites! But then after you mentioned the spout looking like a penis, I couldn’t really keep my eye off the phallic water can LMFAO!! hahahah adorably funny dear! Great work though! You’re doing awesome.
Jennifer Pennington recently posted…Beltane Fest here I COME!!! Exciting News!
haha – such a fun and funny post! I think the last photo (cropped in tight) is my favorite… but they are all silly and made me smile. http://www.GlamKaren.com
OMG I can’t stop laughing my ass off about the penis watering can
OMG I can’t stop laughing my ass off about the penis watering can
I love it! That gnome is so cute, and the photos definitely made me smile!! Great post 🙂
~Christina
http://thedancegrad.com
http://chriskayoga.com
Christina D’Arrigo recently posted…5 Inspiring People You Should Be Listening To
I’m a fan of the close up. Your pictures are always so lovely.
Jen recently posted…broken
Love these! There are some great photography tips in there too! 🙂
Rose Molinary recently posted…Top 5 Board Games
Great job on these!! I didn’t quite spot the watering can-penis connection until you pointed it out, but after that, that was all I could see, lol!
I think you tackled these tasks very well. My faves are the 1st one (and you have all kinds of leading lines in that shot as well…he’s positioned perfectly so the grid in the background leads your eye right to him, so you actually have RoT and leading lines in that one :)) and the one with the black background…I love how the colors really pop off the page!
Vicky recently posted…7 Tips to be an Organized Blogger!
WOW! I loved this all around! The gnomes are adorable and I’d love to try this some day!
Bianca recently posted…Notifications just got a boost!
I think the fourth one (different vantage point) is my favorite but I also love the expression of the dog looking at the gnome and his penis watering can. Great photos, Trish!!
Mo at Mocadeaux recently posted…Solvang And Los Olivos
OMG, my favorite one was the one with no background noise. Right up until you mentioned the penis! Now that’s all I can see. lol
This is awesome and very entertaining Trish! I love the different photography angles and the final cropping you did. Each scene showed the Gnome in a different light.
Cara (@StylishGeek) recently posted…Be Your Own Barista!
Loving this tutorial you provide very good tips for all of us that do photography. Great job!
Adriana Martin recently posted…Foodie Travel Adventures #ViajaConBW
What a fascinating series of photos and something to learn for everyone.
Carol Cassara recently posted…It’s all about the view
I’m partial to the closeup shot. I love taking many shots and picking the best one.
Liz Mays recently posted…A Vegas Weekend Luxury Hotel Collection Experience
I rally like the last one; it has an amazing feeling; not sure why but it makes me happy 🙂
agatapokutycka recently posted…Healthy Snacks – Home Baked Apple Chips
How fun! Gnomes are so adorable Ive always wanted to get a few!
I really like the last photo- the close-up one. They’re all great though. Great job!
Thanks for this! I just learned a little bit more about how to use my camera!
Britney recently posted…Craft Organizing Labels
You did a great job and your subject is quite cute.
They are great photos. I never thought about taking pictures of a gnome but they were fun.
Beth@FrugalFroggie recently posted…FitPregnancy-2 free digital magazine issues
Oh these are so cute! And magical too. Such a sweet little gnome. Actually brought me back to my childhood and my favorite show David the Gnome.
Erin recently posted…Monday Morning Coffee Talk: Super Mario Brothers
I like the sixth one the best although they are all very cute and funny!
Bismah recently posted…Little Passports Fundraising For Your School!
I love them all, but 1,4,5 are my favorites! Everything was fine and dandy until you mentioned the penis. Now you’ve made us all have dirty thoughts about this poor gnomes penis can. Thanks Trish! Love you!