Composition Exercise: Triptych Photography

Composition  •  Photography Tips

Typically, a triptych is a work of art that has three sections or carved panels that are hinged together and can be folded or closed. The middle panel is usually the largest and is flanked by two smaller ones. But you may even come across triptychs of equal-sized panels. The triptych form appears in early Christian art and was a popular standard format for altar paintings from the Middle Ages onwards. If you’re looking for a way to exercise your creativity, escape from the stress of daily life and practice your compositing skills, triptych photography is a great way to do just that. Photographer Thomas Heaton shows you how you can create a triptych in today’s video:

Heaton’s idea is to take three different photographs of pebbles and rocks on a beach to create a triptych. The subjects are all similar, but it’s the composition that gives a totally different vibe to the images. Yet, those images work nicely together as a set. Look for the result towards the end of the video.

If you want to work on your composition skills, this is something different you can try. What other ideas do you think will work for a triptych? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments.