Poor use of background information          
 

     

This image represents a typical use of backgrounds in many holiday photographs.

The figure is standing very close to the required background information and is therefore very small in the frame, resulting in poor composition.

        
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

 

  
     
                 
                 
  Good use of background information          
    By using the rule of thirds the figure can be much closer to the camera without loosing important background information.      
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
           
           
  Poor composition, hidden background          
  positioning individuals or casual groups of  people in the centre of your image is a mistake you should try to avoid.

Think about positioning people against relevant backgrounds, using the rule of thirds.

      
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
                   
  Stretched background          
       The people here are correctly positioned well away from the hotel background, however the relatively high angle stretches the background information forcing a more distant camera position

 

      
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
             
  Foreshortened background          
         Bending your knees to make you eye level with the main subjects will foreshorten the background.

This allows a closer camera position making the people more dominant without losing relevant background information.

 

 

    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
           
 

Excellent use of a striking background

      
  Low camera position

Rule of thirds

    
     
     
     
     
           
           
 

low angle against a spectacular backdrop