{"id":34390,"date":"2015-06-07T00:30:32","date_gmt":"2015-06-07T07:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/?p=34390"},"modified":"2020-02-05T03:32:23","modified_gmt":"2020-02-05T11:32:23","slug":"focal-point","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/focal-point\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Ways To Create A Stronger Focal Point In Your iPhone Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>One of the most important photography techniques to master is creating an image that has a strong focal point. Without an obvious point of interest, your photo won&#8217;t hold the viewer&#8217;s attention for long. In this tutorial you&#8217;ll discover the best <a href=\"\/composition-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">composition techniques<\/a>\u00a0for creating more impactful iPhone photos with a stronger focal point.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34630 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/10859\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-69.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"420\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There are two main things to consider when you&#8217;re taking photos. What is your main subject? And what can you do to draw attention to it? Of course, you can&#8217;t ask the second question until you&#8217;ve answered the first one!<\/p>\n<p>So the most important part is finding something of interest that will act as the main subject in the scene. Sometimes this is obvious, such as a person you want to photograph, but other times you&#8217;ll need to look a bit harder to find something that would make an interesting subject.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-34631 aligncenter ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/10865\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-70.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with a5 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once you&#8217;ve decided what your main subject is, that&#8217;s where the fun begins! You can start thinking about how to place the subject within your frame to create a strong point of interest. This is where the composition techniques come in.<\/p>\n<p>Creating an interesting\u00a0composition is\u00a0pure joy to me.\u00a0I just love aiming my iPhone at the scene and fitting objects in a certain position within the frame.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34425 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/10869\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-30.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with m5 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In this article I&#8217;ll be sharing my eight\u00a0best tips on how to compose an image\u00a0to create stronger and more distinct iPhone photos that will grab the viewer&#8217;s attention from afar.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Find\u00a0A\u00a0Strong Focal Point<\/h2>\n<p>If you want your photo to have a strong impact, you should ensure that it has a distinct center of attention. We call this the focal point because it&#8217;s what you want the viewer to focus on.<\/p>\n<p>Without a focal point, your photo will most likely be forgotten as fast as the viewer takes their\u00a0eyes from it. A strong focal point will leave a longer lasting impression and will create a much\u00a0more impressive image.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34419 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/10872\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-24.jpg\" alt=\"iPhone Photos Focal Point 24\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A distinct focal point immediately gives the viewer a hint of what you&#8217;re choosing to present in a particular photo. Without the man in the picture above, this photo would be pretty boring &#8211; just a brown hill and a plain grey sky.\u00a0By including a person in my photo, I&#8217;ve added a focal point that gives the viewer a place to rest their eye.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34641 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/10874\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-71.jpg\" alt=\"iPhone Photos Focal Point 71\" width=\"560\" height=\"420\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/people-in-landscapes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Including people in your landscape photos<\/a> is great way of\u00a0creating a strong\u00a0impact, especially in landscapes that don&#8217;t have any outstanding features. A person or any other interesting object in a landscape scene will add meaning and a storytelling element to the photo.<\/p>\n<p>Your\u00a0focal point might be a person, <a href=\"\/tree-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tree<\/a>, <a href=\"\/buildings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">building<\/a>, flower, umbrella, etc. Think of it as the most important part of the scene and the reason that you&#8217;re actually taking the photo in the first place.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34628 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/10876\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-67.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with e1 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"420\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Taking props with you when you&#8217;re going out on photo shoot is a great way of adding a focal point when you can&#8217;t find one in the natural surroundings.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-28800 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/9413\/1120\/Trees-iPhone-Photos-38.jpg\" alt=\"Trees iPhone Photos 38\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sometimes your image might include\u00a0several\u00a0focal points, such as the tree and the man in the photo above. That&#8217;s absolutely fine, as long as the\u00a0subjects work together to create a strong image.<\/p>\n<p>In the photo below I decided to place\u00a0my hand in the foreground, reaching out towards the light and the smoke that you can see in the background.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34446 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/10951\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-51.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with se3 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Without my hand, the smoke and rays of light would be the center of the attention here, but placing my hand there creates a small visual story with the hand as\u00a0the center of attention. When you have a busy scene like this,\u00a0adding a strong focal point is very helpful.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Use Negative Space<\/h2>\n<p>My favorite\u00a0trick for\u00a0creating a strong focal point is to leave a lot of <a href=\"\/negative-space\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">negative space<\/a> in the photo. This empty space will create a <a href=\"\/minimalist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">minimal composition<\/a>\u00a0with strong focus on a single object that stands out against the background.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34405 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/10958\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-10.jpg\" alt=\"iPhone Photos Focal Point 10\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Using negative space allows you to photograph small subjects without them becoming lost in the scene. This is a great technique to use when\u00a0shooting your subjects from a distance.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34400 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/21941\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-6.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with b6 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the example above I was shooting from afar, so I included a lot of empty sky which has the effect of putting more emphasis on the tiny subject in the distance.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34406 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11039\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-11.jpg\" alt=\"iPhone Photos Focal Point 11\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In this photo the focal point (a tiny\u00a0island) in the centre of this frame is\u00a0quite small, but because the rest of the scene is fairly empty it still acts as a strong point of interest that catches your eye.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34423 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11689\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-28.jpg\" alt=\"iPhone Photos Focal Point 28\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t be afraid to include a lot of empty space in your iPhone photos. In most cases it will help to give\u00a0your subject more impact, creating a strong composition even though\u00a0the subject is small within the scene.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Use Color\u00a0To\u00a0Your Advantage<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"\/color\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Understanding color<\/a> can be a great advantage in your photography. Using\u00a0an object that has a much stronger color, or just a different color than the background, will create a\u00a0very strong focal point. Anything can be used, whether you&#8217;d like to tell a story or just want to create a strong visual impression.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34455 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11095\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-60.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here I was at a beautiful lake, and while the lake would be good for a nice photo on its own, I felt that I\u00a0didn&#8217;t really have a focal point in the image. The solution was to put my sister who was wearing a red jacket in the frame.<\/p>\n<p>The red jacket creates a strong focal point because the color really stands out against the muted colors of the background. This easy trick made the image much more interesting than it would have been if I&#8217;d\u00a0just shot the lake on its own.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34456 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11097\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-61.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with e6 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here I\u00a0used a rose that someone had dropped on the ground. Considering there was a huge field of green grass where I\u00a0was, I immediately thought that the red color of the flower\u00a0would serve as a strong focal point against the grass.<\/p>\n<p>So I just put it on the ground and took the shot. The rose catches the attention of the viewer in a way that the grass on\u00a0its own could never do.\u00a0Just adding one tiny colored object into the frame completely changes the outcome of the photo.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34460 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11098\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-65.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with g2 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As you can probably tell, I love to use red objects in my photos! Red is one of the most powerful colors, and it will stand out incredibly well in almost every kind of scene.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34437 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11100\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-42.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>But try experimenting with different colored objects against different colored backgrounds and you&#8217;ll soon discover how effective this is.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Use The Rule Of Thirds<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/rule-of-thirds-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The rule of thirds<\/a> is\u00a0probably the most famous\u00a0composition technique in photography. You should make a point of learning this &#8220;rule&#8221; as it will help you to position your main subject or focal point in the best part of the frame.<\/p>\n<p>The rule of thirds is based on two horizontal and two vertical lines that create nine equal-sized rectangular areas within the frame as shown below.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34705 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11101\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-81.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with e4 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"420\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The rule of thirds states that you should place your point of interest along one of the lines, or more accurately where they cross each other.\u00a0The reason for doing this is that the human eye tends to be naturally drawn to these parts of the frame.<\/p>\n<p>We perceive the placement of the object as more harmonious and balanced if it&#8217;s positioned according to the rule of thirds, as opposed to it being\u00a0placed anywhere else within the frame.\u00a0So in the photo above, I placed the woman and\u00a0straw bale\u00a0at the intersection where two lines meet to create a natural and balanced composition.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34643 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11102\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-73.jpg\" alt=\"iPhone Photos Focal Point 73\" width=\"560\" height=\"420\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u00a0switch on the grid in your camera app (Settings &gt; Photos &amp; Camera &gt; Grid) you&#8217;ll be able to see the rule of thirds grid on your screen.<\/p>\n<p>This is great for helping you to position your main subject according to the rule of thirds. You can also use it to position the horizon on one of the horizontal lines, rather than across the centre of the image.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34450 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11104\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-55.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The rule of thirds can be used in all kinds of photography, such as <a href=\"\/street-photography-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">urban<\/a>, <a href=\"\/landscape-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">landscape<\/a>, <a href=\"\/portraits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">portrait<\/a>, <a href=\"\/nature\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">nature<\/a>, sport, etc. While it&#8217;s not my favorite way of composing a picture, it feels natural to use the rule of thirds in a lot of cases.<\/p>\n<p>Knowing where to position your main subject within the frame is an important skill to master. The aim is to position them in such a way as to draw the most attention to that point in the scene. The rule of thirds is a great place to start.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34448 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11107\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-53.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with a2 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a good thing to think about using the rule of thirds as much as possible\u00a0when you&#8217;re a beginner. I used it a lot when I started out photography.<\/p>\n<p>It helps you to start thinking in images, so to speak. If you start using the rule of thirds, don&#8217;t be surprised when you start composing your food on\u00a0your dinner plate based on this principle as well!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34436 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11109\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-41.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with c3 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When you&#8217;ve been photographing for a while and feel more secure about your images and composition, you&#8217;ll naturally let go of using the rule of thirds in all of your photos and you&#8217;ll start to seek out your own ways to compose a picture.<\/p>\n<p>For example, you may often\u00a0find that <a href=\"\/square-composition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">central subject placement works well\u00a0when creating square images<\/a>\u00a0because this can create\u00a0<a href=\"\/symmetry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stunning\u00a0symmetrical compositions<\/a>. But the rule of thirds\u00a0will always be there to support you. Never forget that!<\/p>\n<h2>5. Use A Shallow Depth Of Field<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"\/depth-of-field\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shallow depth of field<\/a> is where only a small portion of your image, from front to back, is in focus. Creating a shallow depth of field is an excellent way of isolating your main subject, emphasizing that object as the\u00a0focal point in\u00a0the image.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34401 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/21949\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-7.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with b6 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>By setting focus on the main subject, the objects in the background will appear\u00a0blurred. Your eyes will be naturally drawn to the\u00a0focused object, allowing it to\u00a0steal all the attention no matter how busy the background is.\u00a0Of course the background will still be present, but it won&#8217;t be as important as the foreground.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34445 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11186\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-50.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with x1 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A shallow depth of field is great for scenes that have a busy background like the one above. If everything had been in focus in this scene, the water droplets would have become lost amongst all of the other detail and they wouldn&#8217;t make such a strong focal point.<\/p>\n<p>So, how do you get a shallow depth of field in your iPhone photos? It&#8217;s actually very easy. Just hold\u00a0your iPhone close to the object you&#8217;re going to shoot, then tap that object on the screen to\u00a0<a href=\"\/focus-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">set the\u00a0focus on that part of the scene<\/a>. The result should be that your main subject is in focus and the background appears blurred.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34404 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11190\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-9.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with f1 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If the main subject appears blurred, you&#8217;re probably holding the phone too close, so pull back a bit then tap to focus again. If the background doesn&#8217;t appear blurred, you&#8217;re not close enough to the subject, so move closer then tap to focus again.<\/p>\n<p>The closer you are to the subject you want in focus, the more blurred the background will appear. Experiment with the distance between your object and the iPhone until you get the\u00a0desired result.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34461 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11192\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-66.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with e2 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When trying to set focus on small objects such as the water droplets on a spider web in the photo above, it may take a few attempts to tap on the exact part of the screen to get them in focus. Having a plain background, such as the sky, behind the subject should make this a bit easier.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/how-to-blur-background-on-iphone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Click here to discover more ways to blur background on iPhone<\/a>, including the use of <a href=\"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/portrait-mode\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Portrait mode<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/afterfocus\/id506271165?mt=8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AfterFocus blur background app<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2>6. Use Leading Lines<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"\/leading-lines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leading lines<\/a> are\u00a0an excellent way of drawing attention to the main subject. A leading line is simply a line in the scene that leads from one part of the image to another.<\/p>\n<p>Leading lines\u00a0will take the viewer&#8217;s eyes on a journey from the foreground of the picture where the line starts, to\u00a0the point in the image where the lines end.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34416 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11194\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-21.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with m3 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Not only do leading lines appeal to the eyes of the viewer, but they&#8217;re also the perfect way to lead\u00a0the eye to your main subject or focal point.<\/p>\n<p>So start by finding a place that has obvious attributes that can be used as a leading line, such as a road, a railway line, a corridor, a subway station, a field with tractor trails, a tunnel, etc.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34664 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11197\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-80.jpg\" alt=\"iPhone Photos Focal Point 80\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Leading lines have a very strong impact on their own, but if you can include an object at the end of the line, or somewhere along it, this is the perfect scenario. The person at the end of this tunnel makes a great focal point as all of the lines in the image lead directly towards him.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-28021 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/9460\/1120\/Leading-Lines-iPhone-Photos-23.jpg\" alt=\"Leading Lines iPhone Photos 23\" width=\"560\" height=\"420\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I like\u00a0my shots that are built on leading lines to be somewhat symmetrical. If you want to create symmetrical shots, make sure you\u00a0have your camera grid activated before shooting. It will help you to keep track of all the elements in the frame that have to be aligned to gain symmetry.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-28014 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/9451\/1120\/Leading-Lines-iPhone-Photos-19.jpg\" alt=\"Leading Lines iPhone Photos 19\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You don&#8217;t always have to use straight lines. Curved and S-shapes lines such as rivers and winding roads also make great leading lines. I particularly love to shoot spiral staircases from above. Including a person somewhere along the line of the staircase provides an excellent\u00a0focal point.<\/p>\n<h2>7. Fill The Frame With Your\u00a0Subject<\/h2>\n<p>A very easy way to make a bold statement about the subject of your photo is to fill the entire frame with your subject. This leaves the viewer in no doubt about what the main subject and focal point of your picture is.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t be afraid to get really close to small objects. It will allow you to photograph it out of its context without any distracting background, and you&#8217;ll be able to capture close-up detail that you wouldn&#8217;t otherwise be able to see.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34431 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11202\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-36.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with a4 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It doesn&#8217;t matter if you don&#8217;t include\u00a0the entire object in the frame. Photographing flowers like this works really well as it eliminates any unsightly\u00a0background and puts all of the viewer&#8217;s attention on the beautiful and intricate detail of the flower.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34449 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/21958\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-54.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with e2 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Filling the frame is great for <a href=\"\/abstract\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">creating abstract images<\/a>. Look for <a href=\"\/pattern-and-repetition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">patterns<\/a> or <a href=\"\/lines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">lines<\/a> in any object, big or small, and then compose your shot so that you include nothing but the subject in the frame.\u00a0Even the most trivial object can be transformed into an exciting piece of abstract art with this technique.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34440 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11272\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-45.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with hb2 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the photo above, I noticed the movement of the water&#8217;s surface and the reflection of the light, and thought it would make a good photo. But when I photographed it with more of the surroundings and the sky, it lost its impact.\u00a0By filling the frame with just the water, it puts the focus back onto the interesting light and textures that caught my eye in the first place.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34398 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11278\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-4.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with lv03 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s another example where filling the frame puts all of the focus onto interesting texture and light. I was stood at the beach and the low <a href=\"\/creating-the-perfect-sunset\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">setting\u00a0sun<\/a> created this pattern where light and shadows collided in the most beautiful way.<\/p>\n<p>Of course I wouldn&#8217;t have gotten this result if I&#8217;d chosen to include the sea and the horizon in this image. So don&#8217;t forget to get in close, frame your shot tightly, and exclude what you&#8217;d normally include. By doing this a new world of photography subjects will appear!<\/p>\n<h2>8. Develop Your Own Unique Framing Techniques<\/h2>\n<p>Once you&#8217;ve mastered the composition techniques discussed so far, you might want to start getting more creative with your composition, breaking the &#8220;rules&#8221; and developing a style that&#8217;s more unique to you. It would be boring if we all took the same kind of photos using exactly the same kind of techniques, right?!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34459 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11279\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-64.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>That said, you should always keep the basic rules of composition in mind. You can&#8217;t break the rules if you don&#8217;t know what those rules are in the first place!<\/p>\n<p>Before taking a photo, always ask yourself, &#8220;What&#8217;s my main subject, and what can I do to emphasize that focal point and draw the viewer&#8217;s attention to this subject?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34444 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11281\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-49.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with c2 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here I&#8217;m going to share with you my favorite way of composing a picture. It simply involves centering the subject at the bottom of the frame.\u00a0I tend to compose pictures like this all the time, often unintentionally. I guess this is my idea of how the perfect picture should be composed.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34434 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11282\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-39.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with lv03 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When I put the subject in the center of the frame, I get a strong sense of balance and symmetry.\u00a0That sense of balance is very important to me, especially when I&#8217;m presenting a series of images that are placed next to each other in a grid, such as on <a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/locarl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">my Instagram profile<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34420 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11284\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-25.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with e8 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It helps me to create a sober and clean impression of my\u00a0work. I find that when composing a picture like this there won&#8217;t be any doubts about where the focal point is, even with a strong and colorful background.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34454 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11286\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-59.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with f1 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The beauty of\u00a0this technique is that you can vary it in all endlessness. Basically you can recreate the same image over and over again. Just using a different subject each time will give you a completely new image.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34430 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11289\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-35.jpg\" alt=\"iPhone Photos Focal Point 35\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Even if this can be seen as operating within one&#8217;s comfort zone, it also sparks creative thinking. You&#8217;ll always be looking for new combinations and different subjects to create a simple image like this.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34415 ip-cdn\" src=\"https:\/\/images.iphonephotographyschool.com\/11292\/1120\/iPhone-Photos-Focal-Point-20.jpg\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with e6 preset\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So from now on, hopefully even while doing the most boring garden chores, a golden opportunity to create an interesting image with a strong focal point will arise!<\/p>\n<p>Experiment, try out new compositions, <a href=\"\/point-of-view\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">shoot from different angles<\/a>, and you&#8217;ll soon be creating amazing iPhone photos with a strong focal point that will instantly catch the viewer&#8217;s eye.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the most important photography techniques to master is creating an image that has a strong focal point. Without an obvious point of interest, your photo won&#8217;t hold the viewer&#8217;s attention for long. In this tutorial you&#8217;ll discover the best composition techniques\u00a0for creating more impactful iPhone photos with a stronger focal point.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[303,298],"tags":[31,203,94],"class_list":{"0":"post-34390","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-taking-photos","7":"category-tutorials","8":"tag-composition","9":"tag-lines","10":"tag-rule-of-thirds","11":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n<title>8 Ways To Create A Stronger Focal Point In Your iPhone Photos<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how to create more impactful and eye-catching iPhone photos by using a variety of composition techniques to make the most of your focal point.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/focal-point\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"8 Ways To Create A Stronger Focal Point In Your iPhone Photos\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover how to create more impactful and eye-catching iPhone photos by using a variety of composition techniques to make the most of your focal point.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/focal-point\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"iPhone Photography School\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/iPhonePS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-06-07T07:30:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-02-05T11:32:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Carl Johan Johansson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Carl Johan Johansson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n","yoast_head_json":{"title":"8 Ways To Create A Stronger Focal Point In Your iPhone Photos","description":"Discover how to create more impactful and eye-catching iPhone photos by using a variety of composition techniques to make the most of your focal point.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/focal-point\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"8 Ways To Create A Stronger Focal Point In Your iPhone Photos","og_description":"Discover how to create more impactful and eye-catching iPhone photos by using a variety of composition techniques to make the most of your focal point.","og_url":"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/focal-point\/","og_site_name":"iPhone Photography School","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/iPhonePS","article_published_time":"2015-06-07T07:30:32+00:00","article_modified_time":"2020-02-05T11:32:23+00:00","author":"Carl Johan Johansson","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Carl Johan Johansson","Est. reading time":"15 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/focal-point\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/focal-point\/"},"author":{"name":"Carl Johan Johansson","@id":"https:\/\/iphonephotographyschool.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b2be118952b223816a048729c013b19d"},"headline":"8 Ways To Create A Stronger Focal Point In Your iPhone 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