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Lead The Eye

on Dec 17, 2014

Every wildlife photo should have a subject that "jumps out" at the viewer; a main point of interest or concentration in a photo, like the captivating eyes in a close-up of a wild animal's face or in this case, wild dogs at play. This is another small element of composition that can be added to an image to further enhance the main subject.

14May13 Dogshow2

In this photo I have included a 3rd wild dog running towards the two playing wild dogs to lead the viewer's eye towards the main subject and action taking place in the photo. One could have zoomed all the way in on the two dogs and got a picture of just the two of them playing, but when I saw the 3rd wild dog heading in their direction, I zoomed out slightly to have a slightly bigger 'story' in the photo.

When using a second 'subject', be careful that it is not too interesting and that it does not detract from the main subject. The idea is to add to the photo and not to dominate.

This photo:

ISO: 200

Aperture: f5

Shutter speed: 1/1600 sec

Don't complicate, compensate.

Simon Smit

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