Finding Strong Focal Points for Your Photos

In photo composition, a strong focal point is a must for a striking image, perhaps even an iconic image that the world will remember for generations. Without a strong focal point, also known as the point of interest, your photos will appear cluttered while your audience will likely be left confused about their message. With a striking point of interest, your photos will likely command the viewers’ attention, send the desired message, and encourage strong emotions.

With that being said, here are a few easy-to-follow yet effective tips in finding the best possible focal points for your photos. You will be prouder to get your photos to CVS Photo since these are worthy to be shown to the world. 

Soak Up the Details

While many of the best photos have been taken in a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous, and candid manner, you have to avoid being a trigger-happy photographer, so to speak. You will be missing out on possible focal points since you’re too focused on capturing everything on film.

Instead, you should take a few minutes to observe your surroundings and soak up the details that can become your focal point. You will be able to choose a strong subject and take just a few shots to create a striking image within a shorter duration. 

Look for Contrasts

You don’t even have to look far and wide since contrasting colors are often the best focal points. Your composition will be better since the human eyes are naturally drawn to contrasts in colors, such as black and yellow.  You should not also limit yourself to bold and bright colors of the rainbow as many of the most powerful images are in black and white – the trick is in playing with the light and shadows.  

Consider the Shapes of Objects

You should also look beyond the colors of the subjects and into their shapes. The more fascinating the shapes are, the more strikingly beautiful the subjects can be. You may even add other elements, such as textures and patterns, to the mix for a stronger focal point.  

If you are too close or too far from the possible subjects, you may be unable to clearly see their point of interest. You have to change your perspective by either moving farther away or closer, even changing your body position, so that you can draw out hidden details or see the bigger picture.   

Indeed, if you keep your mind and eyes open as well as your camera locked and loaded, you will be able to see the beauty in ordinary things, even raise ordinary things to extraordinary beauty!