reading photographs pro forma
TRANSCRIPT
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Photography and Digital Manipulation
Robbie Hickman
Reading Photographs
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Photographic Knowledge Test
Rule of Thirds
How is this compositional technique used?The rule of thirds is a photographic principle which is useful for capturing images in a balanced and eye-catching manner. It revolves around imagining the image being divided into nine equal sections by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, and then positioning the primary subject on the intersecting points. Placing the subject in this manner is a good way to create tension and evoke interest because the subject is not shown in the centre of the image despite the fact that he is the primary focus. There are a total of four intersecting points where the lines cross as shown above. Any other elements are either positioned along the lines themselves or made to flow in a linear way from section to section. Another way to use the rule of thirds principle is to divide the frame into thirds e.g. foreground, middle-ground and background.
Leading Lines
How is this compositional technique used?Leading Lines is a compositional technique that is used to guide the customer’s eye to the primary focus of an image; this is accomplished through the utilization of natural lines e.g. handrails or the edges of pathways which are naturally positioned so that they guide the eye of the customer to the focal point of the image (usually at the centre and positioned some distance away). The customer is attracted to the apparent lines within the image which seem to lead directly to the principle subject; this shows that leading lines help to pave an easy path for the eye to follow. Other natural elements that can guide the customer’s eye are roads, fencing etc. The subject may or may not be conveniently positioned at the point where these leading lines intersect; thus proving that all apparent lines within the image lead directly to the subject.
Diagonal Lines
How is this compositional technique used?In comparison to leading lines, diagonal lines are quite different; they refer to a compositional technique which is used with the purpose of implying the movement of a subject and drawing the customer’s eye through the aspects of the photograph. Diagonal lines can sometimes intersect and have the potential to suggest perspective within an image i.e. approach the subject in a particular attitude and depict them in various ways. They can also add a dynamic look and feel to an image because they create the impression that the primary subject is actually walking or running in a certain direction. This also creates a strong sense of action within the image. Diagonal Lines can appear on brickwork, on handrails (as shown above) and on hills from a distance.
Framing
How is this compositional technique used?Framing is a typical compositional method to use in photography. It simply revolves around ‘framing’ the principle subject so that an impression is created of an ‘image within an image’. This is accomplished by capturing an image of a subject, location etc. within pre-existing outlines positioned within the boundaries of the photograph itself. These outlines could be doors, windows etc. and, as shown above, the subject is photographed whilst being positioned inside the outlines of the window on the door. This helps to create a strong impression of a frame with the subject inside it.
Filling the Frame
How is this compositional technique used?Filling the Frame means utilizing the frame the photographer has got to get close to their subjects. It revolves around getting as close as possible to the subject whilst effectively making as much use of the frame as possible; this would benefit the image because it ensures the photographer does not have to crop the image continually in Photoshop which could have a potential impact on its overall quality. In essence, the photographer has zoomed in as much as possible so that the head and shoulders of the subject fill the image in a close-up manner. Some of the background is still visible, however the subject is the principle focus.
Repetition
How is this compositional technique used?In photography, repetition is defined as repeated visual elements appearing within a photograph; this allows the photographer to unify the total effect of a work whilst creating a strong sense of rhythm within the image. The overall result is that the image is visually appealing to the customer’s eye because it consists of specific kinds of patterns e.g. tiles, similar looking people and structures in a town. Sometimes, images can stand out if the patterns within the image are interrupted e.g. one subject stands out due to wearing different coloured clothing compared to everyone else in the image. This helps to create contrast within the image and also helps to ensure that a particular subject stands out.
Symmetry
How is this compositional technique used?Symmetry is defined as both halves of an image being identical to each other, with little difference regarding the aspects of the two halves when compared. It is almost as if one half of the image reflects onto the other, and that a mirror is positioned exactly in the centre of the image. The technique is very effective because it creates balance within an image; all visual elements are distributed in an even manner. If the visual elements of an image are not evenly distributed in both halves, the image will not be balanced. When this occurs, the image is referred to as asymmetrical.
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