Post by Minuit on Jun 26, 2010 22:15:50 GMT 10
Tips on Composition
by ubiquitous
Composition is the layout and structure of an artwork, and often when something looks okay but doesn't feel quite right, composition is the culprit. Below are a few tips on making composition work for you:
~ Experiment. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. And it's a great way to let out that creativity.
~ Don't put everything smat-bang in the middle. Not every feature needs to be in the centre to be seen, and having it in the centre may not be the best look for the image.
~ Use cropping. Don't be afraid to cut off part of a face, or have only a section of something showing. Cropping creates interest, and can be very expressive in the right circumstances, so if it looks good, go with it.
~ Juxtapose. Elements can overlap in an image, and often this helps them blend into one image. Having said that, sometimes it's just better to leave a gap in between.
~ Keep blank background space. This doesn't mean that it should just be plain and white, but not everything pixel has to be doing something particularly interesting. And sometimes it's the blank/background space that helps creates the focal point. Using a plain background colour or a soft texture is a good way to keep it blended and pretty without becoming over the top. Blank background space is a must for wallpapers, because people like to use icons on their desktop, so keep that in mind and leave a section to one side or the bottom for a couple of rows of icons.
~ Tie things in. If you have a piece of text and an image that look a little too separate, put a coloured box behind them, or put a little brush in the background. You want the image to look as one, not as a bunch of things.
~ Keep it simple. Make sure that everything you add enhances the image, not clutters it.
Maybe once we'd have seen it during Smackdown!