Here we are at the start of the summer and ready to go out and apply the new techniques we have been talking about to our summer photographs. In this newsletter, we are going to continue our discussion of composition by talking about " relative size" and its use in adding emphasis to the subject. As always, if you have any comments or questions, feel free to contact me.

The subject of a photograph can be emphasized by making it large in the photograph in relation to everything else in the photogrpah. That is pretty simple. Think of a portrait. This is the most common method of highlighting the subject in a portrait. But, it can be used in other photographs as well. Here is an example:

Notice how the palmetto tree is larger than anything else in the image and takes up most of the frame. Here is another example. This photograph of the dogwood flower is actually a flower portrait, but illustrates the concept of the subject being large in the frame.

Here's a great way to practice this technique. Find a subject that interests you. Then take a series of photographs, moving in closer with each photograph until you get so close you can't focus. Look at the results and you will find that you have some very interesting shots. Here is a series I took of some roadside wildflowers, starting out with the whole field and working down to individual flowers.

These composition techniques are not exclusive. In other words, you can use several techniques together to strengthen your composition. In practicing this technique, remember the "Rule of Thirds", which was discussed in the last newsletter. Enjoy your picture taking and as always, if you have any questions or comments, contact me.