The Art of Mindful Composition

Written By Mario Rodriguez

“To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.”

- Henri Cartier-Bresson

In my early years as a photographer, upon getting my hands on a roll of film, I would rush out the door and snap away without care for composition nor exposure. My impulsive manner of shooting was akin to capturing lightning in a bottle. From the 36 attempts, I would get maybe one usable photo. Unsatisfied with the results, I would sheepishly ask my father for money to buy another roll of film. I was blowing through money faster than I could make it, and at the time, I wasn’t making any money whatsoever.

My inability to continue to beg for more money forced me to slow down and compose the shot I wanted to shoot. This limited resources made more mindful and deliberate with each frame. Instead of hurriedly snapping away, I made it a habit to thoughtfully compose each shot. I started to pay attention to elements like the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and focus. The quality of my photography and my ability to tell a story through my images were enhanced once I took the time to care about and address the many little things.

Make it Obvious

I focus on clear intentional framing. Making it obvious means ensuring that the subject of the photograph is clear and immediately recognizable. This involves simplifying the composition by eliminating distractions and focusing on the main element you want to highlight. One technique I use is to position the subject prominently within the frame, often applying the rule of thirds to give the composition balance and dynamism.

Make it Easy

I use the rule of thirds and leading lines to guide the viewer’s gaze naturally through the image. Leading lines, such as roads, rivers, or architectural features, direct attention to the main subject. Natural framing, using elements like trees, windows, or doorways, helps enclose the subject and focus attention on it. By structuring the composition in a way that leads the viewer’s eye through the photograph effortlessly, I ensure an ease to engage and interpret.

Make it Satisfying

Every element in the frame contributes to the story or mood I’m sharing. I create a sense of completeness and harmony in the composition. I pay attention to details like symmetry, balance, and proportion. A well-composed photograph should leave the viewer feeling that nothing is out of place and everything serves a purpose.

“The Thinker” - 2018: Captured using a Minolta X-700 with a 24mm MD lens on Kodak Ektar 100 Professional ISO 100, Color Negative Film; Color Graded with Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop

Make it Attractive

Ensuring a photograph is visually appealing involves careful consideration of light, color, and texture. Good lighting transforms an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. I often shoot during the golden hour—the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset—when the light is soft and warm. I pay attention to color harmony and contrast in order to create a more striking image. Using textures, whether in nature or urban environments, adds depth and interest to the composition.

Another crucial aspect of mindful composition is mastering exposure. With film, there’s no instant feedback on whether my exposure is correct. I lost a ludicrous number of shots because I was either shooting at the wrong ISO film speed, I forgot to open up or stop down the iris, or made other exposure-related errors. I learned to carefully consider the balance of light and shadow, ensuring that my shots were neither over- nor under-exposed.

Continuous learning in photography is essential, especially for mastering exposure when your camera's meter fails. Understanding tricks like the Sunny 16 rule and techniques such as exposure bracketing ensures you can handle challenging lighting conditions and capture well-exposed images. Stay tuned or subscribe to read more on this in my next post.

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Mario Rodriguez
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