If you missed Dana’s first three tutorials in this photography composition series, be sure to take a few moments to check them out. They are inspiring and packed full of photography tips that will help you improve composition in your photos.
- Photography Composition {The Rule of Odds}
- Photography Composition {The Rule of Thirds}
- Photography Composition {The Rule of Space}
In Part 4 of her series today, you will learn how to make dramatic photo compositions by focusing on texture.
Using Texture Adds Drama to Your Photo Composition
A photograph or painting is supposed to draw you into the art. There are several composition rules by which this can be accomplished, some have been mentioned here on I Heart Faces before: leading lines, rule of thirds, Odd Rule, etc. (There are some pretty smart people here. 
LOL)
But one that can be overlooked at times is the use of texture.
No, not that kind of texture…today, we are not talking about the texture layers you can add to an image. We are talking about the lumps and bumps of old, worn leather or the scratchy, splintered wood of an old door.
Texture can be used as one of the main parts of creating drama in a photograph. Texture is pretty easy to capture and we may not even think of it because texture is found in virtually everything. We see the texture of the smooth water and can visually “feel” it…..smooth, cold, wet. We can see the texture of the smooth car and visually “feel” it, mixed with the texture in the grass and we can “feel” our fingers running through it. We see the rust or peeling paint and can “visually” age the wood or metal.
(For the touchy-feely people like me….this is DREAMY!)
When the human eye takes in a texture, our brain registers that as a feeling, which brings us into the photograph. It appeals to our senses and our brain interacts with the image. When we as photographers use texture in our photo composition, we are visually stimulating the viewer. (Sounds naughty, doesn’t it? LOL I promise, it’s a good thing.) In this sunset: the waves or water or sand could be supporting roles to the beautiful sky.
Like everything else, texture must be used in moderation. If everything in the photo has a soft texture, the photo can be boring. But on the other hand, if too many textures are used, the photo becomes too busy. Textures can be used to enhance a photo, not overwhelm it. Let me show you an example (yes, this is the show-n-tell portion where I show you my flaws. You’re welcome):
In this image, the texture is overwhelming. You have to stop the spinning of your eyes around the door, following the texture, to find the subjects through the doorway.
(I know, I can’t believe I shared my mistakes either! I did get a better one though. LOL)
And in this image, the textures are just enough to show the aged wood and stucco on this Mexican house.
In order to photograph texture, it is usually best to photograph it using directional light from the side. It brings out the grooves and the uneven surfaces (or the “bumpiness” as my simple brain says).
Texture also tells more of the story that the photograph in general may not tell. By displaying the texture, it shows the age and history. Peeling paint on an old barn, fabrics, flowers, grass, wood, stone, skin (wrinkles) all stimulate our senses making our eye hover over the image just a while longer.
Texture also creates CONTRAST in your photo. Who doesn’t love the beautiful images of newborns….their soft, baby-fine skin lying against the textured blankets?
So there you have it! Yet another way to add DRAMA to your life! (Well….in your photos, at least. That’s the only place we truly desire it to be. )
Be kind to others, and NEVER stop learning!
Dana Suggs is an on-location photographer based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, specializing in Children and Seniors photography. She loves to have fun and finds joy in everyday life. She’s been married for 20 years and is the mother of 3 natural-born children and proud foster-parent to 3 more. You can find her on her Photography website, Facebook Fanpage and, of course, she is a PROUD member of our Creative Team for I Heart Faces!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Using Texture as a Composition Tool #photography http://t.co/wpOPHdtW
Beautiful images Dana! Thank you for sharing your knowledge (and your mistakes). You are such a cute writer as well as a wonderful photographer.
Ditto what Palak said. I love this. Texture grabs me like nothing else. Now, can you make my wrinkles look that beautiful??
Tracy P. recently posted..Forties Top 40: #6
I love this post– this is an often under looked aspect of photography! I was so worried that this was going to be a photoshop-texture post!
palak recently posted..Happy Monday!
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