composition...composition techniques 8 elements of composition 1. rule of thirds horizon rule...

COMPOSITION Definition: The arrangement of

elements within a frame

Three Parts To a Picture

1. Subject (Center Of Interest)

a. The Main Focus of the picture

2. Message

3. Treatment of The Subject

a. Composition Techniques

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

1. Rule of Thirds

The Subject of the Photograph

should be off center in the

frame

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

1. Rule of Thirds

Horizon Rule

Horizon Line should be placed in

the top or bottom third of the

frame

Horizon Rule – Top or Bottom 3rd

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

2. Background Always be aware of your

background. It should never

interfere with your subject and

your message

Background

Background interferes,

competing with the

subject for attention.

Background

complements and

strengthens the subject.

The “Aperture” is the camera control

that directly affects background

focus, which we call “Depth of Field”

COMPOSITION

Techniques 8 Elements of Composition

2. Background Avoid Mergers.

Because photos are 2

Dimensional, objects directly

behind other objects in the

frame can appear to “merge”

together.

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

3. Balance

Always try to achieve a sense

of Balance in the shot

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

3. Balance Two kinds of balance:

• Symmetrical Balance (equal)

•Asymmetrical Balance (unequal)

Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical

Balance

Symmetrical Balance

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

4. Lines Lines can psychologically

“charge” your image. We react

differently to different kinds of

lines

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

4. Lines

•Horizontal and Curved Lines

create a sense of calm or peace

• Diagonal or Vertical lines

create a sense of tension

Curves create peacefulness or a sense of

calm, as opposed to the tension that

diagonals can create

Lines, Shapes, Repetition, Pattern

Pay attention to what Lines can do to create

shapes, repetition, and patterns in a photo.

All of these also add interest to a

composition

COMPOSITION

Techniques 8 Elements of Composition

4. Lines •Leading Lines unconsciously lead the

viewer’s eye to the vanishing point.

Photographers will often place the subject

of the shot at the vanishing point so the

eye is forced to focus there

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

5. Perspective

The Perspective is the angle of view of the

photo. Like lines, angles can

psychologically affect the viewer (besides

just making a shot more interesting

generally)

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

5. Perspective

• A High Angle gives the subject a feeling

of weakness or inferiority

• A Low Angle gives the subject a feeling

of strength or dominance

High Angle

Low Angle

Inferiority or

Weakness Dominance

or Strength

Perspective (angle of view)

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

6. Framing

Using objects in the

Foreground to naturally “frame”

your subject

Framing is used to add interest to a photograph

and to add a 3 Dimensional feel to the shot

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

7. Motion

Motion is directly controlled by

the camera’s shutter speed

COMPOSITION

Techniques

8 Elements of Composition

7. Motion

•Fast shutter speeds “freeze”

motion

• Slow shutter speeds “blur”

motion

Motion

Motion Freeze

Motion Blur

Rule of Motion

Movement should be placed in the frame so it is

coming into, not leaving, frame.

Rule of Motion As with most everything, there are exceptions to the rule.

In this case, because the shot includes visual elements

that work directly with the subject (the lines connecting

the person in the background to the lines from the

subject’s action), framing the shot as seen is ok

COMPOSITION

Techniques 8 Elements of Composition

8. Light •Light is perhaps the most important element in photography

as everything depends on it

Things to Remember:

•Light source should be behind the photographer

•Overhead Light is harsh and flat (best time to take photos is

morning or evening)

•Direct Flash is harsh and flat and can ‘blow out’ details

•Try to use bounce, reflected, or diffused light

Light

MOTION

BLUR

using a

Slow

Shutter

Speed at

Night

Light

Light Trails from stars using

a long shutter speed

(“B” or Bulb Setting)

Light

Position of the light source

creates different effects

such as silhouette from

back lighting as above or

dramatic shadows from side

lighting as to the right