Composition Theory – Shooting Subjects in Action


Whenever your subjects are moving in a direction, a basic rule of photography is to leave room in the direction the subject is moving. This rule is important because the viewer’s eyes are naturally drawn from the subject to whatever the subject is looking at or facing. If the subject is facing the edge of the frame, it leaves the viewer wondering where the subject is looking. Furthermore, if the subject is moving toward the end of the frame, it leaves the viewer wondering where the subject is going, leading the attention off of the image. Lastly, if the subject is moving toward the edge of the frame, the subject can seem confined and enclosed.   As always, showing is more effective than explaining, so as you view these images, imagine how they would look if the subjects were cropped at the other end of the frame.

university utah football photography1 Composition Theory   Shooting Subjects in ActionShot at the 2009 University of Utah vs. San Diego State Football Game in San Diego, CA on a Canon 40D with a 70-200mm f/2.8L Zoom Lens at 1/250 f/2.8 ISO 400

summit house fullerton Composition Theory   Shooting Subjects in ActionShot at the Summit House in Fullerton, CA on a Canon 40D with a 70-200mm f/2.8L Zoom Lens at 1/400 f/2.8 ISO 200

_________________________________________________________________________________
Article written by:

Chris Lin
Lead Photographer | Partner
Lin and Jirsa Wedding Photography
_________________________________________________________________________________

Like this post? Share it!

  • Tweet
  • Facebook
  • Diggit
  • Delicious
  • Diggit
  • Diggit

RELATED ARTICLES


  1. Composition Theory – Using Negative Space to Focus the Subjects
  2. Composition Theory – Shooting Wide, Very Wide
  3. Panning Video Tutorial for Photography – Shooting Moving Subjects
  4. Shooting Tack-Sharp Images
  5. Techniques – Concert Photography Tips

Write Photography Tips


SLR Lounge is a resource for photography tutorials, photo news, camera reviews and more. We're in search of writers to cover a range of topics. Click to learn more about our jobs.

SUBSCRIPTIONS


Polls


What Type of Photographer Are You?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...