There’s something about a really wide-angle lens that is really fun to shoot with, especially if you have a sweeping vista of landscape in front of you. But you quickly realise that shooting with wide lenses is not as easy as you first think. Fortunately, these wide-boys have been around for a long time, and there are lots of tips and techniques that photographers used way back when technicolour was the latest thing.
It’s easy to jump on the latest and greatest, but those old rules are also worth remembering. In this video, Martin Castein reminds us of the rule of centralised composition that will take your wide-angle shots to the next level.
Don’t rely on the rule of thirds
The rule of thirds is a widely respected over-used guideline for composing photographs, especially when there’s a lot of space around your subject. However, it’s not always the best option. While placing a subject off-center and balancing it with negative space can be effective, it can sometimes result in “dead” space that doesn’t contribute much to the image, making the composition feel unbalanced.
Similarly, emphasizing the foreground is another strong compositional tool, especially with wide-angle lenses, but it can overpower the subject. If the foreground becomes too dominant, the viewer’s attention may be drawn away from the main focus of the image, diminishing its overall impact.
Why a centralized composition can work
Centralised composition is a technique that has stood the test of time. It has been used by artists and painters for centuries and can be seen in iconic artworks such as Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, Grant Wood’s American Gothic, and Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. This method involves placing the subject directly in the centre of the frame, allowing it to command attention instantly. Sure, it doesn’t exactly sound ground-breaking, but you’d be amazed how often we overlook this as photographers.
The main advantage of centralised composition is its immediate visual impact. When the subject is centrally placed, the viewer’s eye is drawn straight to it without wandering around the image. This “instant impact” makes it ideal for subjects that need to stand out and command attention.
However, for it to be effective, the subject must be strong and engaging. A weak or uninteresting central subject can result in a flat image, so it’s essential to choose a subject that is visually dominant and capable of carrying the composition, particularly as very wide lenses create a feeling of distance and can minimize subjects further away from the lens.
How to do it well
While paintings and photography differ in medium, the principles of centralised composition translate well into photography. Here’s how you can achieve this effect, especially with a wide-angle lens:
Visualize a Matte Border: Start by imagining your photograph as a printed image with a matte border. The key is to position your subject within the space that would be left in the middle by the border, effectively “framing” it within the central portion of your image. The surrounding area becomes the supporting background, whether it’s sky, landscape, or a plain backdrop. Take Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring as an example. The vast space around her doesn’t feel empty because she’s positioned centrally, making the surrounding “dead space” feel intentional and supportive.
Divide Your Image: Think of your composition as two distinct parts—the central subject and the supporting background. The subject should occupy the middle, commanding attention, while the outer areas provide context without drawing focus away from the centre.
Zooming for Balance: A practical tip for achieving balance in centralized compositions is to start by filling the frame with your subject, ensuring it’s well-composed and visually engaging. Once you’ve framed the subject, slowly zoom out, allowing more of the surrounding scene to enter the frame. This process helps you find the right balance between the dominant central subject and the surrounding elements, which serve as a border.
Be Intentional: Centralised compositions are not about simply placing something in the middle and snapping a photo. The surrounding area should complement the subject, and you should consciously frame the image so that both the subject and the background feel cohesive. This intentional framing creates images that feel balanced and impactful.
Which subjects work well?
This technique works particularly well for subjects such as people, buildings, and large landscape features. It’s also a valuable exercise for photographers in any genre to practice. Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, or architecture, centralizing your subject can help refine your compositional skills and improve your ability to create balanced images.
Even if you don’t typically shoot architecture, for example, taking time to experiment with it can be a great way to train your eye. Practising centralized composition in different genres can make improvements in your primary area of photography.
So next time you are struggling for a good composition, stick your subject in the middle, it’s not always a cop-out!
