Texture Photography Composition

One of the most important parts of creating powerful photos is composition. It is not possible to carry out an all-inclusive review of the field of composition in a few brief paragraphs. This article will take a different approach. Three areas of composition, that have particularly significant impacts on the caliber of texture images, will be reviewed. These areas are: contrast, curves, and patterns.

<b>Contrast's Role in Composition</b>

Contrast comes in two forms: tonal contrast and color contrast. Both tonal and color contrast are effective with texture photography.

Either kind of contrast can be used in a couple of different ways. One way to use contrast is within the texture itself. The main reason that this approach works well is that the contrast brings out the texture detail. The result is that the detail is enhanced. Consequently, one of the best ways to make great texture images is to begin with objects that have either good tonal contrast or good color contrast. Luckily, there are many such objects around. For example, one object that has good contrast is an old, weathered, tree stump.

If desired, the contrast can be improved further by employing side light. Side light will produce shadows that fall across the texture, thus, increasing the contrast.

The second approach to making use of contrast is to choose a background that contrasts with the area of texture that's serving as the center of interest. When this is done, the textured area will stand out and will attract the interest of viewers of the image. As a result, the goal with this method is to find objects that contrast in tone or color with their backgrounds. Again, there are plenty of these kinds of objects around. An example of this approach is a single, red leaf sitting on a white, snow bank.

<b>How to Use Curves</b>

Texture can take many different forms. Many times, it occurs in the form of curves. Luckily, these curves can be utilized to enhance the composition of texture images. When an object has such curves, the curves can be of two types. The curves are either leading or non-leading.

As the name implies, leading curves guide a viewer's attention. Typically, leading curves lead the eye of the viewer to the center of interest of the image. This is a very good thing as the center of interest is the most important part of an image. An example of leading curves is a layered rock formation where the layers form curves that lead to a plant that is growing in the rock.

Non-leading curves do not lead a viewer's eye to the center of interest. The role that this type of curve serves is different in that the curves function to add either emotional or informational content to a texture photo. Basically, these curves can help to add some zest or personality to a texture image. One need only look at the patterns formed by ferns to see a good example of non-leading curves.

When using curves, it is very important to use curves that work in harmony with the rest of an image to communicate the main point of the image.

<b>Patterns</b>

Patterns can be successfully used to draw the attention of a viewer. On the other hand, the viewer's attention can easily diminish if the pattern is fairly simple. Therefore, it is necessary to be a little more clever when using patterns if we wish to maintain a viewer's interest for a longer time. There are two methods to making use of texture patterns that can create more interesting patterns. The approaches are multiple patterns and breaking the pattern.

When working with multiple patterns, two or more patterns, that reinforce each other, are used. An example is a flower close-up shot where the texture pattern of the center of the flower is matched with the texture pattern of the pedals.

Breaking the pattern is the other alternative that can be used. This is usually done by placing an object into the pattern. One example of this approach would be to place a single brown egg in a container filled with white eggs.

<b>In Summation</b>

This information is a good beginning. Nonetheless, there is a lot more information which can be acquired about texture photography. Remember, the more you learn, the better your images become.