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In lesson 1 last week I introduced a few rules of photography that can help everyone take better pictures. The Rule of Thirds being what I feel to be the most important rule followed by understanding lighting as the second most important issue.
I also touched on framing your images for action, shooting in water, close up shots with your iPhone and converting your shots to black & white.
This week I want to talk about another composition trick I use, not always showing the whole image.
Follow me below the Markos Doodle...
Leave Something for the Imagination
![](http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm129/bsegel/BobsiPhonePhotography2012/file_zps1d35e92d.jpg)
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Anyone who is into model trains as a hobby knows that you have to have tunnels in your layout. The train needs to disappear then reappear, even if it is just for a second or two... it adds a sense of mystery. It lets your imagination take over, lets face it, a picture of someone scantily clad is sexier than a total nude picture.
You can use the power of imagination quite a bit when taking photos. It's simple, don't include the entire object in your picture. If you cut off just a bit the image becomes more interesting.
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I use this technique a lot when shooting. Instead of shooting a picture of the whole pizza I got in closer and only included part of the pie. (Pizza Nova, White Peperoni Pizza)
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You also show more detail when getting in closer and cropping out some of the image.
Mmmmm, Filippi's Peperoni Pizza.
![](http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm129/bsegel/BobsiPhonePhotography2012/file_zps805a7820.jpg)
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This is the front right headline of a friend of mines truck. I could have stepped back and shot a picture of the entire headlight, which would be great if I was selling the headlight on eBay, but getting in tight and cropping out parts of both lights made it more interesting.
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![](http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm129/bsegel/BobsiPhonePhotography2012/file_zpsf63a7d14.jpg)
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This is not a technique you can use all the time. It works better when you have one or maybe two objects that are the main focus of your picture.
![](http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm129/bsegel/BobsiPhonePhotography2012/file_zpsce53dffc.jpg)
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I want to finish with this shot and emphasis another point, if you see something pretty or interesting stop and take a picture of it. You've got your phone right there in your pocket, holster or purse. I was walking into a Ralph's Grocery store when I noticed these purple flowers growing on a trellis on the side of the building. I took out my phone, walked over and took a nice tight shot of the flowers (while people walking into the store looked at me like I was crazy). I had to get in tight so as to crop out any view of the beige stucco wall behind the trellis.
Got questions? Please ask.