The Power of Alignment: Creating Balance behind the Lens

When I first started taking photos, I would just aim and shoot. I never paid any attention to the lighting or alignment of my subject. (See previous post about lighting) But, the alignment of what you are shooting is also important. So, what is alignment? Alignment refers to the placement and arrangement of the elements of a picture that creates a sense of order, balance, and visual appeal. If the focus of your photo is crooked or off balance, it detracts from the eye. As humans, we like to see things that are straight and level with the horizon.  When the horizon tilts of vertical lines join, it creates a sense of instability and does not feel natural to the human eye. When this happens, the eye tends to drift away from really looking at the photo. Now, there may be situations when the subject is intentionally on an angle. According to Nasim Mansurov, who is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, “It is one thing when an image is tilted intentionally to create an interesting composition, and totally different when the photographer is not paying attention to or is unaware of the surroundings and background elements that are part of their photographs (Mansurov).”

Tips for Better Alignment with a Cell Phone Camera:

•         Use Both Hands

Hold the phone with both hands. Keep your elbows close to your body. By doing this you stabilize the phone and can reduce its movement.

•         Turn on Grids

Go to your camera settings and enable the grid. This will help align horizon, center object, and align both vertically and horizontally.

•         Use the Built-in Level

Some cell phones have a level bar that is available in Photo mode. This helps the phone stay parallel to the ground or vertical surface.

•         Tap to Focus

Tap the screen to focus. Holding your finger over the view can lock the focus and exposure of the photo. This will keep the photo aligned even if you move a little.

•         Edit for Alignment

Use the cell phones crop and rotate tools included in your phone’s apps to straighten any crooked lines.

Mansurov, Nasim. “The Importance of Straightening the Horizon and Aligning Lines.” Photography Life, 11 Feb. 2018, photographylife.com/straightening-the-horizon-and-aligning-lines.