Classic Red Barn in Winter

In and around Walla Walla barns provide a rich source of material.  It is difficult to travel down a Walla Walla Valley country road and not encounter picturesque scenes.  The challenge with taking pictures of  barns is to avoid the mug shot.  The solution is to employ classical composition in your image.  In the image above the "rule of thirds"composition has been applied.  To use the rule of thirds, divide your image into thirds both vertically and horizontally.  Note where the lines intersect, then place your subject at one of the intersections.  By doing so you have avoided the "mug" shot.  In this image the barn is located at the lower left intersection.  This allows the inclusion of the dramatic sky.  Since the cost of film and processing with digital cameras is zero, take a shot with the barn at each of the rule of thirds intersections.  If you are shooting with a zoom lens, such as the Nikon 18 to 200, zoom in and out on the barn.  Then pick the best shot.  If you are in the mode of high exploration, shoot bracketed series for HDR processing.

The rule of thirds is only one classical composition that may be applied to barns.  You might also try "leading lines" where some feature such as a road or stream leads up to the barn.  If there are elements of symmetry in the barn you might try placing the barn at dead center.  Find a barn and have fun experimenting.