The main means of expression and techniques in photography
Photography is impossible without light and can be defined as recording the light. Correct lighting is a difficult task and understanding the light source is of great importance. It should neither be excess or insufficient. Lighting is necessary not only for adjusting brightness or darkness. It is able to change tone, mood and atmosphere of images.
Light can be hard and soft. Hard light makes shadows sharper and adds depth to subjects whereas soft light produces smooth shadows and softens details.
Diagonal lines
A special feature of diagonal lines that differenciates them from other composition techniques is an opportunity to create the illusion of movement even when a subject is still.
Symmetry
Symmetry is a composition technique that allows a photographer to achieve a spectacular reflection of the two halves of a subject. Symmetrical composition automatically creates a sense of harmony and aesthetic balance that is a simple way to create an exciting shot.
The rule of thirds
The rule of thirds is one of the crucial compositional rules that helps to enhance a photo and presents a very easy concept to follow. It basically implies dividing an image into three horizontal sections and three vertical sections. Places where the lines intersect are called points of interest. The chosen subject and other elements should be placed along the lines and at the points of interest. This insignificant change can immediately bring a sense of depth and flow in your photographs as well as makes them look balanced and more complex compared to placing a subject in the center of a photo.
Contrast
Contrast suggests using opposing elements such as light and dark objects or changing the tones and colours in order to make them strikingly different from each other. It should be emphasized that contrast is not just changing the intensity of competing colours. High contrast images are impressive whereas using low contrast is able to soften saturated colours.
Reflection
Reflection is aimed at achieving some amazing effects and appealing images. A chosen image can be turned into a piece of art by means of using windows, mirror or any surface reflecting light.
Using natural frames
Natural framing adds depth and focus to images and allows us to create an image withing an image. As a rule, frames are placed in the foreground of a photo and direct attention of a viewer to central charactars in the background. Such common subjects as walls, tree branches, archways or roads can be used as a natural frame. You don't need to surround a subject with a frame from all sides. Two vertical edges can be sufficient for highlighting a subject.