{"id":16943,"date":"2009-02-27T01:48:21","date_gmt":"2009-02-27T01:48:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwphoto.onpressidium.com\/book\/underwater-photography-more-composition-ideas\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T06:57:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T06:57:11","slug":"underwater-photography-more-composition-ideas","status":"publish","type":"book","link":"https:\/\/www.uwphotographyguide.com\/book\/underwater-photography-guide\/underwater-photography-composition\/underwater-photography-more-composition-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"More Composition Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

1) Diagonal lines<\/strong><\/p>\n

            <\/span>One of the strongest compositions, and one of my favorites involved diagonal lines. Let’s look at some examples:<\/p>\n

            <\/span>– Diagonal subject, parallel to the camera<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Long fish or shrimp make great diagonal lines in photos. This is a “2-D” diagonal composition, because the entire subject is in focus. Robust ghost pipefish, Anilao<\/a>, Phillipines.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Diagonal subject, three dimensional underwater compostion<\/h3>\n

This can be a difficult composition to attain, but it is one of the most dramatic. The entire body of the subject is placed from one lower corner to the opposite diagonal corner. Different depth of fields will give different results. This composition works great for macro & supermacro<\/a>, especially for long subjects such as shrimp, pipefish, etc. Getting the subject perfectly placed can take time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"flutemouth,<\/p>\n

Flutemouth, taken in Bali<\/a>. F13, 1\/200th, ISO 200, 60mm lens +1.4x tele. This “3d” diagonal view is very hard to compose and takes lots of practise, but the results are worth it. You must carefully compose until the rear of the subject is placed in the upper corner, out of focus. This works well for long subjects.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

F25, 1\/200th. Photo by Jeff de Guzman, uncropped. Sawblade shrimp, Anilao, Phillipines<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Notice how the diagonal goes nicely from corner to corner. Photo by Todd Winner. Oil Rigs, california<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Here’s a nice composition – diagonal line, shooting upwards, black background. Photo by Rand McMeins.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2) Fill the frame<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/a><\/p>\n

            <\/span>Filling the frame with a subject is a common compositional theme, and adds a dramatic touch to the photo.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This cuttlefish looks more dramatic when he fills the entire frame. Flamboyant cuttlefish, Anilao, Phillipines.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Filling the frame with the seahorse gives it a nice perspective. D300, 105mm lens, Lembeh strait<\/a>, Indonesia. F4, 1\/100th, ISO 1500, lit by my dive light.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Fill the frame combined with an out of focus background can work very well. Red octopus, Redondo beach, California. F13, 1\/250th, ISO 200, D300 + 60mm lens + 1.4x tele.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For many more examples of fill the frame, please see the artistic composition section<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Or read our complete fill the frame article<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3) Colors & color combinations<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Use of color underwater: People love photographs filled with bright colors, especially reds, oranges, and yellows.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Field of featherdusters – reds, oranges, yellows. El segundo, California<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n