Subtractive composition in photography: highlighting the subject and dealing with distractions

Determine the subject first, then adjust the framing

Think about what you want to draw attention to in the photo, and then check what elements in the foreground, middle ground, and background will compete with the subject. You can get closer to the subject, zoom or change the shooting angle to reduce irrelevant elements; if the scene does not allow movement, you can also try changing the viewing range. Different camera positions will bring different picture relationships. First compare several compositions and then decide which content to retain. 〔G-SUB-01〕

Use depth of field and light and dark relationships to separate subjects

A large aperture will bring a shallow depth of field, which can blur the background; the difference in brightness or tone between the subject and the background may also make the subject easier to identify. Blurring does not automatically remove all shapes in the background. The actual effect depends on the shooting distance, focal length, aperture and scene. When shooting, you can check whether there are still eye-catching edges or bright spots in the background, and then adjust the camera position or framing. 〔G-SUB-02〕

Try framing, leading lines and white space

Doors, windows, foliage, or other scene elements can be used to frame the edges of the frame; roads, building edges, and curves can lead the eye toward areas within the frame. Leave space for the character or movement direction, and also explain the subject's orientation. White space, lines, and framed scenes are all optional composition methods, not rules that must be followed; they should be based on the subject and the content you want to express. 〔G-SUB-03〕