Rules of CompositionWeek 6-10

Focused Learning Target:We will be able to identify the variety of rules of photography and apply it to our own vision

Standard

4.5: Know the key technological skills appropriate for occupations in the arts industry.

Basic Photo Composition Rules

- The Rule of 3rds- Leading Lines - Framing Subjects - Repeating patterns

Rule of thirdsThis refers to an imaginary grid drawn across a photo area that breaks the image into nine equal squares. The best focal point for subjects is at the intersection of these lines with secondary emphasis being seen along the lines themselves.

Basically don’t center your subject in the middle

Rule of thirds

Leading Lines

Leading lines refers to a composition technique whereby the viewer's eye is attracted to lines that lead directly to the principle subject in the image. Here’s an example of an image using leading lines composition

Leading Lines

Framing

Repeating PatternsRepetition in our mundane daily lives can be boring. Repeating patterns however, add life, zeal and impact to an image. Patterns are to photography, what rhythm is to music. Repeating patterns, if captured the right way, strengthen an image. Ten pillars on a porch, a hundred umbrellas on the beach, a thousand bricks on a wall and a million petals on a field… repetition takes a life of its own.

Shots and Angles

Extreme Long ShotA wider shot in which subjects in the frame are small; a building, cityscape. Sometimes called an establishing shot.

Introduces the place and sometimes the players in a scene.

Long shot

In photography, filmmaking and video production, a long shot (sometimes referred to as a full shot or a wide ... The long shot is used to set the scene in a film.

Full Shot

A type of long shot which includes the human body in full, with the head near the top of the frame and the feet near the bottom.

Medium ShotA relatively close shot, revealing a moderate amount of detail. A medium shot of a figure generally includes the bodyfrom the knees or waist up.

Close up

A detailed view of a person or object, usually without much context provided.

Extreme Close upA minutely detailed view of an object or a person. An extreme close-up of an actor generally includes only his eyes, or his mouth.

Over-the-shoulder shot. A medium shot, useful in dialogue scenes, in which one actor is photographed head-on from over the shoulder of another actor.