One Scene, Three Compositions

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Something I often do when shooting is look for different compositions within my shots. A lot of times I'll find two or three additional compositions by examining the scene and asking myself which elements really interest me in it and focusing in on them more closely.

These photos are an example of that. They were all taken near Swansea Jetty yesterday evening and nothing changed between them except for the focal length (zooming in a little more each time). But despite that all three images have quite a different feel to them because of how they focus on the jetty.

The first shot is my favourite as I like the whole scene but I like the other shots too and how they act as more of a frame for the jetty. As a set I think they work quite well.

I'll often do this while I'm shooting a sunrise or a sunset as well as it helps to tell the story of the location - for instance, I might shoot a wide shot of the landscape then zoom in tight on an interesting detail before refocusing to catch someone in silhouette. One scene, three shots.

This works best with a lens with a good range like a 24-105 but pretty much any zoom lens is suitable. It's more about training your eye to recognise which elements you find interesting in a shot and then focusing in on them.

Maybe give it a try next time you're out shooting, you might find you get a few different shots you really like!

Photos © CJ Levinson 2021