To create impressive photo sets, fashion photo composition is the fundamental factor that determines the appeal and artistry of each frame. Even if you only use a phone, if you master simple composition tips, you can completely create quality photos like those taken with a professional camera.
In this article, DIGI-TEXX will share 10+ extremely easy-to-apply fashion photo composition tips, helping you confidently perform many different shooting styles – from lookbook, street style to everyday OOTD photos. Discover now to enhance your personal image!
1. Use the Rule of Thirds
To create a fashion photo composition, you cannot ignore this famous rule of thirds. Although simple, this is a tip applied to many photos to create a balanced and visually appealing composition. To perform this technique, you do the following:
- First, on your phone or camera, open the 3×3 grid feature. If the device does not support it, you can also visualize it by dividing the frame into 9 equal boxes.
- Instead of placing the photo in the front as usual, place the model on the vertical lines or intersections on the grid. This will create a balance between the model and the surrounding landscape.
- If you want to add other decorative props to the frame, arrange them based on the 3×3 grid to balance the elements in the photo. This will help the overall photo become more harmonious.
Although this composition rule helps the photo look more harmonious, do not be too rigid when applying it. Consider this a platform for you to experiment and be creative, thereby creating fashion photos that are more unique, innovative, and original.
2. Look Out for Leading Lines
To focus the viewer on the main subject, applying the visual path technique is an effective skill to guide the gaze to the subject. You can apply it in many ways:
- Using natural paths in the context: Available elements such as a road or a row of trees… can all lead the gaze to the model.
- Exploiting props and costumes: A scarf or the color of props and costumes, when exploited, can create soft paths.
- Observing the composition of the scene: Locations for elements that create highlights, such as walkways, lighting, and railings, will all create highlights and depth for the subject.
This technique requires you to know how to choose a location with leading lines and know how to exploit props. If you master this technique, you will definitely create works with attractive fashion photo composition.
3. Create Framing
Framing in fashion photography is the technique of using secondary elements to create a frame around the main subject. This is a way to attract viewers and add depth to the photo. To apply it effectively, do the following:
- Take advantage of existing frames from the landscape: Elements such as windows and doors will be ideal for framing the photo.
- Create more from the surrounding environment: Flower branches and light shadows can also create soft and natural photo frames.
- Subtly combine props: If you cannot find framing elements in nature, you can use props such as picture frames or fabric curtains to create this fashion photo composition effect.
Just be creative and change a little from the shooting angle, you can create an artistic frame. Thanks to that, your photo becomes much more natural and eye-catching.
4. Find Symmetry
Symmetry in a fashion photo composition will bring balance and order to the photo. There are many ways to find symmetry, depending on your idea, choose the shooting method that you find most suitable.
- Symmetry in the landscape: Scenes such as double stairs, streets, and hallways when the model stands in the middle of the frame will create an attractive symmetrical composition.
- Arrange the subjects in balance: Place the model in the center or align the outfit, props so that both sides are equal to create a symmetrical photo.
- Break the symmetry but intentionally: Unlike the two methods above, you will place the model on one side to have more emphasis on the other side. This will create surprise and increase the viewer’s emotions.
As a photographer, depending on the model’s style, be flexible between symmetrical and broken symmetry shots. This will also be the way you convey the emotions of the photo to the viewer.
5. Balance Your Subjects
When a photo has two main subjects, creating balance in the frame is important so that both subjects stand out. This depends a lot on the photographer’s fashion photo composition thinking.
- Pay attention to the distance between the subjects: You can arrange one model standing close and one model standing far away to create a balance in space.
- Combine color contrast: To create highlights, try combining two dark- and light-colored outfits for the two models to create color contrast.
Ultimately, the goal of this technique is still to create mutual support for both subjects. This helps both models express their own personalities without being overshadowed.
6. Use Contrast
Contrast in photography creates a clear contrast between subjects. A fashion photo composition that clearly shows the subject requires the photographer to know how to apply contrast in the photo.
This can come from many factors, such as color, light, materials, or even composition. There are many forms of contrast in photography, such as
- Color contrast: Use light-colored clothes on a dark background or vice versa to make the subject stand out more immediately.
- Light contrast: Combine and arrange lights to create distinct light and dark areas in the frame; this will increase the depth for a more emotional photo.
- Contrast from materials and patterns: Combine props such as leather and mesh fabric placed next to a monotonous space to create a strong visual effect.
- Style contrast: Let the model wear clothes in two different styles, for example, one person is a personality and one person is gentle to surprise the viewer.
Applying contrast techniques not only enhances the artistry of a photo but also opens up more diverse and creative shooting styles for photographers.
7. Experiment with Angles
Many people often only shoot at eye level, but this only creates a monotonous fashion photo composition. If you want the photo to be more impressive, you need to shoot from many different angles to create something interesting.
- Shoot from a low angle: When you want the model to be taller, shooting from below will bring a very interesting visual effect.
- Shoot from a high angle: On the contrary, photos taken from above will look softer and more lovely. This is a shooting method that many girls seek.
- Shoot from a tilted angle: Tilting the camera slightly to create a unique photo frame will help the photo no longer be monotonous, very suitable for personality photography concepts.
Each angle will create a unique difference for each photo. Always experiment, and do not hesitate to move to find different shooting angles.
8. Play with Lights and Shadows
To create an attractive fashion photo composition, you cannot ignore the technique of using light. Light and shadow are tools to help portray emotions while highlighting the outfit and directing the gaze. Some tips for you to take advantage of light and shadow to improve the quality of the photo:
- Take advantage of the golden time: Dawn, noon, or before sunset are golden hours that you can take advantage of to help subtly highlight the fabric and color of the clothes.
- Take advantage of the darkness in the environment: Darkness is the element that creates depth for the photo, you can take advantage of the shadows of buildings to evoke strong emotions and increase artistry.
Capturing the perfect moment of light is not always easy. However, if you know how to take advantage of technical tools to adjust the light, you can still create attractive and professional fashion photos.
9. Incorporate Lines and Patterns
Lines and patterns are the elements that make a monotonous photo more soulful. If you know how to take advantage of them, you can completely create many artistic photos without many props. To apply patterns and lines well, you do the following:
- Use lines to lead the viewer’s eyes: Any line can lead the eye to the subject. Making good use of lines from the environment and clothing will help the photo be more attractive.
- Create highlights for the photo with patterns: Patterns from the background and clothing are also very easy to attract the eye. However, do not use too many patterns because it can make the subject less prominent.
Observe the highlights in the surrounding environment, lines and patterns can come from everywhere. When you realize and know how to use them, you can completely create an interesting fashion photo composition.
10. Add Depth
Want your fashion photos to have more depth and life? Create a sense of three-dimensionality in a flat image. This helps the viewer “enter” the frame rather than just glance at it. Here are three simple ways to add depth to your fashion composition:
- Layering: Create a foreground, middle ground, and background. For example, shooting the model behind a pane of glass, through a canopy of trees, or allowing architecture to appear in the foreground – all of which will add depth to the image.
- Use shadows wisely: Shadows cast by the model, props, or lighting can create the illusion of depth and make the frame dynamic and emotional.
- Vary your perspective and focal length: Shooting from high above, low below, or using a wide-angle lens will add depth to the scene.
A good fashion photo is more than just a beautiful image – it tells a story with layers. Depth is the “visual language” that helps you do that.
11. Consider the Background
Background is always the key point to create beautiful photos; it greatly affects the composition of your fashion photos. So, how can you improve the background?
- Choose the right location: If you are taking streetwear fashion photos, choose locations such as urban areas, concrete walls, alleys. On the contrary, if it is a quiet, gentle female photo set, locations such as parks, flower gardens, and old houses are ideal.
- Control the elements in the background: Always control the background, avoid letting the messy background blur the attention to the model. Eliminate unnecessary details such as pedestrians and vehicles to improve the photo.
- Take advantage of depth of field: Shallow depth of field has the ability to blur the background, so the view is focused on the subject. You can take advantage of this method if the surrounding environment is confusing.
Making good use of the background will help the subject in the fashion photo composition to be expressed more clearly from the image to the story behind it. Therefore, be very careful when choosing the background; do not let it affect your entire process.
12. Use Colors to Create Mood
Color is an element that can create emotion, highlight the subject, and define the style of a photo. Here are three ways to use color effectively in fashion photography:
- Contrasting Colors: Combine colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel to create a strong overall color accent.
- Analogous Colors: Colors that are similar but have different tones will also create a harmonious, gentle, and unified style.
- Color Symbolism: Depending on the story, choose a color based on the emotion you want to convey, for example, red will symbolize passion.
Use color intentionally, because sometimes just the right color is enough to make an image attractive.
13. Capture the Details
In fashion photography, it’s the little details that make the biggest difference to your composition.
- Fabric texture: Highlight the smoothness, roughness, or shine of the fabric to add visual depth.
- Accessories: A pair of stylish glasses or a statement necklace can be a focal point.
- Stitching and detailing: These intricate details show craftsmanship and design style – don’t let them get in the way.
Every detail is part of the story. When you pay attention and use it well, your photos will not only look beautiful but also come alive and have a soul.
Creating a quality fashion photo composition always requires considering many factors. However, just grasping a few tips above can greatly improve your photos. If you want to learn more attractive beauty tips, visit DIGI-TEXX to see more interesting articles.
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