Triangles and Diamonds - Building Blocks For a Great Portrait

©Timothy Valentine. All Rights Reserved

As a child when you first started stacking things (blocks for example); you probably learned some things you have forgotten by now. In the beginning, we all tend to just put things directly on top of each other just to see how high we can go. It may be fun at the time, but this way of stacking tends to be unstable and our blocks fall over a lot.

Then at a certain point, we learn that if we put one block across two (forming a triangle or small pyramid) that is seems a lot more stable. Once we comprehend this point, we start making our triangles wider, or deeper, or both. Thus we learn; when we build things, the parts must interact for the good of the whole.

Similar to building with blocks, when we start “stacking people” in a portrait it really does matter where you place each person. With only two blocks you can go sideways or on top of each other and things are still pretty stable. However, when you talk about people and photography, there is another factor to consider.

Generally straight lines are boring and diagonal lines are visually more interesting. So, with two people you place the first person at a 45% angle as your starting block, and then you add someone over one shoulder. Usually the second person is placed over the shoulder in the direction the first person is looking.

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So this can be more personalized, we’re going to say “Mom” is the first block and “Dad” is the second block. Now regardless of how tall dad is to mom, we want both heads within one head length of each other. If this means dad has to kneel down on one leg in the photo that’s fine, we just want to make sure that the parts still interact.

Now along comes “Baby”. If this were still blocks, I would say add baby on top, but since we are dealing with people, we have to remember that baby can’t sit yet. In most cases, Mom is the one holding “Baby”. The trick here is for her to hold the baby up high enough so that the baby itself is still only one head length away from mom and dad. Now you have formed your first triangle.

Two or three years later, baby has become Big Sister and now there is a New Baby to contend with. New Baby still has the same position the original baby did; however since Big Sister can stand, she will, (hopefully.) You will place Big Sister in front of Mom, but directly lined up with Dad. Since Big Sister is still small compared to Mom and Dad you may have to do one of two things. A) have Big Sister stand on something like a stool, or B) have Big Sister sit on something that will raise her head higher. Remember you want her head also within one head length of everyone else. In case you are wondering, use the person with the largest head for this measurement. Now you have formed your first diamond.

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Two or three years later now there is a New Baby and the former New Baby is now Big Brother. New Baby goes where babies go. Big Brother will now be placed where Big Sister was. Big Sister has several choices. A) She can stand on the other side of Baby, making a visual triangle between Baby, Brother and Sister. B) She can stand on the opposite shoulder that Dad is on, making a visual triangle between Mom, Dad, and Sister. C) She could stand on the other side of Brother making a visual triangle between Mom, Brother and Sister. In most cases, (if the children are willing to do so) I would go with choice A). You have just formed your second triangle.

Now as time goes on and you either add more children, or grandparents; whatever the case may be, you keep forming triangles and diamonds. This builds a much more stable photograph than just putting people beside each other or behind each other. Every face is seen, and every face interacts with those around it. Just remember to keep the head placement fairly close.

If Dad really is three feet taller than Mom, you don’t have to show that in the photo. Keep them close and grouped together and this will work with groups from 2 - 60. Obviously you may have to get creative in adjusting heights of different size children, but it will be worth the effort. Usually the larger the group the harder it is to see everyone’s face; but if you take your time and keep building triangles and diamonds along the way you can handle large family reunions and have professional looking photography.

Award winning writer / photographer Tedric Garrison has 30 years experience in photography. As a Graphic Art Major, he has a unique perspective. His photo eBook “Your Creative Edge” (http://www.betterphototips.com/creativeedge.htm) proves that creativity CAN be taught. Today, he shares his wealth of knowledge with the world, at: http://www.betterphototips.com