Twelve Elements of Composition
Tips for Remarkable Photographs

Part 11-Center of Interest

Many amateur images are not very interesting because there is not a center of interest, an item or subject that is the main focus of a beautiful scene. So often we just snap a picture with no thought to its lack of impact. Landscape images are a bit more difficult to find scenes with a center of interest available.

This beach scene on the left, although nice, is not a breathtaking image to start with but it will work to demonstrate a scene without a center of interest. The eye does not really know where it is supposed to look. I added a center of interest with this Hawaiian lea for the image on the right. The photograph is still not an award winning image, but it now demonstrates a complimentary and believable focal point in the scene.

I love this bridge (on the left of the pair above), but it is a boring photograph. As a primarily portrait photographer, I would have loved an appropriately dressed couple to pose in the scene. Place them on the right third and wa la! The railing becomes a leading line to the subjects.

Okay, the right bridge image above is more interesting than the previous one, as the bridge itself is an impressive one and the angle I shot it at is nice. But it is still missing a real center of interest.

Imagine how much stronger of an image yet, if there was a horse and buggy crossing the bridge or a large bird in the air-facing the correct way (into our image) and at the intersection of thirds. Getting all of those elements right is challenging and not always possible. That is why nature and wild animal photography is so challenging. Waiting for all of the pieces to come together at the right time of day as well.

This awesome place is the road to Hana, a town in Maui, Hawaii. There are many waterfalls on this drive. Some you can see and some you must hike for. Most of the bridges are one lane only and the roads are extremely winding. If you ever go, driving after dark is not a fun time.

Center of Interest is more challenging to make happen. If you add the item yourself, you run the risk of being too contrived and not very real. Try to find something that is natural to the scene and believable.

By including the surf board in the picture, the same scene becomes a little more interesting.

Remember that center of interest does not mean that you center the item. The item is just an interesting subject to compliment the landscape and makes the image more visually appealing.

About Barb 
Barb Gordon, of www.BarbGordonPhotoCoach.com, is a Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, and Certified Professional Photographer with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) to which she has belonged since 1984. She is a nationally published and award winning photographer, entrepreneur, speaker, and author including being published in the prestigious PPA Loan Collection 2006, PPA Showcase 2003, twice named Iowa’s Top Ten Photographer of the Year, and 2010 Iowa’s Master Photographer of the Year.