Elements of Composition

Angle of view• Bird’s eye view – high

• Worm’s eye view – low

bird’s eye view

worm’s eye view

• Leading lines/looks - Imaginary or real lines lead the reader to the subject and heighten content interest

leading lines - imaginary

diagonal lines – create energy and action

horizontal lines – create rest and quiet

vertical lines – create height and stability

Straight Lines = Dignity, Strength

Curved Lines = Grace, Beauty

curved lines – create grace and beauty

• Selective focus - Subject(s) are in focus while background and/or foreground are blurred

selective focus – backgroundblurred

selective focus –foreground blurred

• Repetition - Repetition or patterns of people, expressions or surroundings lead viewers to the CVI

Composition

Rule of thirds -• Subject is divided into thirds

vertically and horizontally• Subject is placed on one of the

intersecting lines or hot spots

rule of thirds // subject placed on hot spot

(TICK-TACK-TOE)

SilhouettesSubject appears black because light source is behind subject and not the photographer

Frame central subject matter– What is central to your shot?– Use objects to frame your shot– Framing to is used to isolate your subject

Avoid Mergers– Dimensional mergers

• Light post out of subjects head

– Border mergers• Subject cut off by frame,• Car shot, but can’t see wheels

Dimensional Mergers

Border Mergers

What is Wrong with These Photos?

photo no-no’s: what is wrong with these pictures?