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Composition:
Definition
the arrangement of objects within the frame of a photograph
Other Notes
• The foundation upon which we build our photographs
• ‘Rules’ are not for complete & absolute compliance, but...
• You need to know the rules before you can break them
• Break the rules only when you have a good reason for improving the photograph
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Snapshot:
- casual record of
event person or
object
- technical
perfection is not
main element
Photograph:
-artistic
interpretation of an
event, person or
subject
-to tell the viewer
something about
the subject
- has impact and
style
Which image is a snapshot and which is a finished photograph?
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How is photography an art of
discovery?
It is an exploration of line,
texture, shape, light, motion,
and perspective.
It is discovery of the natural
and cultural world around us
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Basic Anatomy of a Photo:
Subject
• Main Point of Interest
2nd Element
• “Background” ( foreground & everything else )
• Provides Context
Context
• Establish location of subject
• Add relevance to subject
• Compose the whole message
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Simplify
• Anything that isn’t the subject or part of
the context is a distraction
• Knowing what to exclude is as important
as knowing what to include
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Simplify
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Composition:
Get Closer, Simplify
Avoid Clutter
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By filling the frame you isolate the subject and eliminate
distractions.
• Details can be seen that could otherwise be missed.
• Helps give the entire image interest
• Allows a more interesting perspective of ordinary objects
• Creates a more intimate image of your subject
• When possible, experiment by comparing zooming in vs.
getting closer to your subject.
Composition: Fill the Frame
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Composition: Fill the Frame
Get Closer, Simplify & Avoid Clutter
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Composition: Fill the Frame
Getting close or zooming in often
improves the appeal of photos.
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Tight Cropping
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Tight Cropping
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Tight Cropping
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What We’ll Cover Today
- Composition Basics
‣ Rule of Thirds
- Lines
- Shapes, Textures & Patterns
- Negative Space
- Framing
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• Envision a tic-tac-toe grid superimposed over
your image.
Composition: Rule of Thirds
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• Place your main subject close to where the lines
intersect, rather than centered in the frame
Composition: Rule of Thirds
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Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds:
As you look through your
camera's viewfinder,
imagine there are lines
dividing the image into
thirds, both horizontally
and vertically, essentially
dividing your image into
nine equal-shaped blocks.
Frame your subject at one
of the intersection points
instead of in the center of
the viewfinder, as shown in
the following illustration.
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Rule of Thirds
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Rule of Thirds
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Landscapes:
• Place the horizon along upper or lower line dividing the image into thirds
Rule of Thirds
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Rule of Thirds
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Rule of Thirds
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Composition: Rule of Thirds
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Where do you see the rule of thirds?
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Lines
• Lines can be found in every photo
• How you deal with lines can be the difference between a
good photo and a great photo
• Lines can be straight, but they can also curve
• Think of lines as anything that draws the eye into,
and around a photo
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Lines
Lines Draw the Eye Into, and Around the Photo
• Lines may be actual or implied.
• Implied lines are made up by the way objects are placed in the photograph ( ex: multiples of the same object ). They don’t physically exist in a photograph.
• Lines can be synonymous with visual “movement”
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Use of Lines
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• Lines can enhance the sense of depth in photographs
• Lines can evoke different feelings / emotions
• Lines can also imply movement and direction
• Lines can be something that compliments the main subject or
the main subject itself
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Composition: Vertical Lines
Vertical Lines
• Denotes Dignity, Height, Strength, and Grandeur
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Composition: Vertical Lines
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Composition: Vertical Lines
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• Vertical lines can be more effective by simply shooting
vertically rather than horizontally. This emphasizes the lines.
• It’s important to attempt to keep your vertical lines as much in
line with the sides of your image as possible
• Try to prevent placing a line in the middle of the shot. In
some cases, this will cut your image in half.
Composition: Vertical Lines
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Vertical Lines
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Vertical Lines
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Vertical Lines
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Vertical &
Diagonal Lines
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Vertical & Diagonal Lines
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Vertical &
Diagonal Lines
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Diagonal Lines
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Diagonal Lines
• Denotes sensation of Force, Energy, depth and Motion
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Diagonal Lines
• Diagonal lines generally work well to draw the eye through the photograph, creating points of interest as they intersect with other lines.
• Can add a dynamic look and sense of action to an image.
• Try to prevent cutting the image in half from corner to corner
• Like horizontal and vertical lines, diagonal lines repeated through an image can create very effective patterns
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Diagonal Lines
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Curved Lines
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Composition: Diagonal
Lines
( + curved lines )
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Curved &
Diagonal Lines
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Curved Lines
• Curved lines add aesthetic appeal to nature photos. In
particular, S-curves frequently appear beautiful to the eye.
• Plus: a sense of Sensuality, Grace, Charm & being
Natural/Organic
• Generally used to create a sense of flow & depth within an
image
• Curved lines provide a greater dynamic sense when compared
to straight lines
• Curved lines can suggest more of a journey, where a straight
line leads the viewer to the destination quickly
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Curved Lines
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Composition: Curved
Lines
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The “S” Curve
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The “S” Curve
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The “S” Curve
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Horizontal Lines
• Horizons are the most common horizontal line to be found in
photographs, they often act as a dividing point.
• Shooting horizontally will accentuate the calming, stable
impact of horizontal lines
• Unbroken horizons can create static/dull photos. Try breaking
things up with other shapes to create a point of interest.
(mountains, trees, buildings etc.)
• Layering horizontal lines can create rhythm or patterns which
can become the focus of the image
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• Be aware of camera tilt
• Keep the horizon line level and square to the photo edge 51
Composition: Horizon Line
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Composition: Horizon Line
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Curved & Horizontal Lines
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Horizontal Lines
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• Lines can be subtle too
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Horizontal Lines
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Horizontal Lines
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Composition: Horizontal Lines Horizontal Lines
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Horizontal Lines
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Negative Space
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• Composing a photo with lots of negative space can make
ordinary objects stand out
• Try giving your negative space an actual color and
texture
Negative Space
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• New photographers can become so
involved in photographing their
subjects that they accidentally ignore
the rest of the photo. But, the space
around and in between your subjects
can be just as important.
Negative Space
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Negative Space
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Negative Space
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What We’ll Cover Today
- Composition Basics
- Rule of Thirds
- Lines
- Shapes, Textures & Patterns
- Negative Space
- Framing
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Framing
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• Helps emphasize your subject by directing your viewers attention.
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Composition: Framing
• Look for frames within
a frame. Extra frames
add extra depth, drawing
your viewer into the
photo. Frames can be
subtle; keep your eyes
open
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Composition:
Framing
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Composition: Framing
• Mirrors can act as
effective frames
• Useful for capturing
candid moments incognito
• Watch out for your own
reflection
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Composition: Framing
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Think Outside
The Box
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Think OutsideThe Box
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Examples: Think outside the Box
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- Ten Tips to Remember
• Lock focus and recompose to create better composition
• Move around to change your angle of view
• Simplify the image
• Fill the frame
• Take vertical shots too
• Remember and practice the Rule of Thirds
• Know your camera’s limitations
• Shoot, shoot, shoot. Take lots of photos
• Be aware of the lighting conditions
• Capture natural emotions, no more cheese!
Finishing Notes: Top Ten Tips
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ABOUT THE RULES…..
In practice, most photographers work more
subjectively (relying on intuition). Once they
understand the various elements of composition, they
stop thinking about them.
"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams