{"id":15873,"date":"2021-06-07T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=15873"},"modified":"2021-06-08T18:06:11","modified_gmt":"2021-06-08T22:06:11","slug":"take-5-the-subtle-art-of-composition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-the-subtle-art-of-composition\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: The Subtle Art of Composition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 2021 Picture This: Your Great Outdoors<\/a> photo contest is now open! We’ll be accepting submissions until September 30 of photos that highlight people in nature, capture the beauty of Massachusetts wildlife, and celebrate our stunning landscapes and habitats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get you inspired to hone your photography craft, we created a photography composition cheat sheet<\/a> to go with our tips for taking a winning photograph<\/a>. To help you visualize the different techniques photographers use to create a balanced, impactful shot, here are five photo contest winners that exemplify different compositional principles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But remember, photography is a creative art, not a science\u2014that means experimenting is strongly encouraged and rules are meant to be broken!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rule of Thirds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To achieve a balanced-looking shot, try to imagine that the frame is divided into a three-by-three grid and place your subjects along the dividing lines and intersection points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Coyote,
Coyote, 2020 Winner: Mammals, 18 and over \u00a9 Jason Gilbody<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Balance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can offset the “visual weight” of your subject by counter-balancing it with another focal point of lesser importance in the same frame. Here, the hummingbird is balanced by the jewelweed flowers it has its eye on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 2017 Grand Prize Winner, Birds \u00a9 Bernard Creswick<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Leading Lines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Use naturally occurring visual lines to draw the viewer’s eye toward a specific point in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Grand
2018 Grand Prize Winner: Landscapes \u00a9 Evan Guarino<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Symmetry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The human eye instinctively gravitates toward symmetry and regular patterns\u2014try focusing on the shape and texture of the subject to best capture this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"2014
Mallard, 2014 Grand Prize Winner, Birds \u00a9 Arindam Ghosh<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tell a Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” It’s amazing the complexity of stories and emotions you can capture in a single fraction of a second!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Green
Green Heron, 2019 Grand Prize Winner, Birds \u00a9 Michael Snow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 2021 Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest is now open! We’ll be accepting submissions until September 30 of photos that highlight people in nature, capture the beauty of Massachusetts wildlife, and celebrate our stunning landscapes and habitats. To get you inspired to hone your photography craft, we created a photography composition cheat sheet […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":13443,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[143,158],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-photo-contest-2","category-take-5"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/birds_over2583Michael_Snow27503_750.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-481","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12409,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-great-timing\/","url_meta":{"origin":15873,"position":0},"title":"Take 5: Great Timing","author":"Ryan D.","date":"February 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"There is a tremendous amount of skill that goes into capturing a great photo: lighting, exposure, composition, depth of field, and so much more. But any wildlife photographer will tell you it also takes a good deal of luck. Here are five examples of great timing in photography\u2014just the right\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Gray Squirrel and Red-Tailed Hawk \u00a9 David Morris","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/02\/3174David_Morris17887.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/02\/3174David_Morris17887.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/02\/3174David_Morris17887.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/02\/3174David_Morris17887.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3408,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/enter-the-2014-photo-contest\/","url_meta":{"origin":15873,"position":1},"title":"Enter the 2014 Photo Contest","author":"Hillary T.","date":"April 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"It's one of our favorite times of the year! The 2014 Picture This Photo Contest has officially begun. As in the past years, we're looking for great shots taken in Massachusetts that celebrate the great outdoors: birds, mammals, and insects; landscapes; native plants, flowers, and fungi; and people enjoying nature\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art & Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Art & Culture","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/art-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.massaudubon.org\/var\/ezdemo_site\/storage\/images\/media\/ma-assets\/images\/logos\/picture-this-logo-2014\/186390-1-eng-US\/picture-this-logo-2014.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":695,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/nature-photography-tips\/","url_meta":{"origin":15873,"position":2},"title":"Nature Photography Tips","author":"Hillary T.","date":"August 20, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Whether you\u2019ve been taking photographs for years or recently picked up a camera, one fact remains the same: nature photography is a wonderful way to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors. Not sure how to capture that perfect shot? Get started with these Top 5 Tips from Mass Audubon Camp Director\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/08\/JohnHallinanWeb.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3988,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-reflections\/","url_meta":{"origin":15873,"position":3},"title":"Take 5: Reflections","author":"Rosemary","date":"September 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Photographers know that a reflective surface can double the beauty of a stunning subject or landscape. Here's a selection of beautiful reflections captured by our Photo Contest\u00a0participants. Have a great shot of your own? There\u2019s still time to enter the\u00a02014 Picture This Photo Contest!","rel":"","context":"In "Photo Contest"","block_context":{"text":"Photo Contest","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/photo-contest-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/08\/SandySelesky-2011.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/08\/SandySelesky-2011.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/08\/SandySelesky-2011.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3910,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-odes\/","url_meta":{"origin":15873,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: Odes","author":"Rosemary","date":"August 25, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Dragonflies and damselflies, affectionately\u00a0known as odes (from their scientific order Odonata), are out in abundance. In past years, our\u00a0Photo Contest\u00a0participants have put their own unique spins on this fascinating\u00a0subject. Have a great shot of your own? There\u2019s still time to enter the\u00a02014 Picture This Photo Contest!","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/08\/111CherylRose5903.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4725,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-nature-in-black-and-white\/","url_meta":{"origin":15873,"position":5},"title":"Take 5: Nature in Black and White","author":"Rosemary","date":"January 26, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"The nature of Massachusetts offers endless color, but it's also perfect for black and white photography, which highlights its textures, patterns, and moods. Take a break with five beautiful black and white photographs from our past Photo Contests.","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/01\/2676Elliot_Gilfix9551-2014.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/01\/2676Elliot_Gilfix9551-2014.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/01\/2676Elliot_Gilfix9551-2014.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15873"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15889,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15873\/revisions\/15889"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}