COMPOSITIONDefinition: 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 Subjecta. Composition Techniques

COMPOSITIONTechniques

8 Elements of Composition

1. Rule of Thirds

The Subject of the Photograph should be off center in the

frame

COMPOSITIONTechniques

8 Elements of Composition

COMPOSITIONTechniques

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

COMPOSITIONTechniques

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”

COMPOSITIONTechniques

8 Elements of Composition

2. BackgroundAvoid Mergers.

Because photos are 2 Dimensional, objects directly behind other objects in the

frame can appear to “merge” together.

COMPOSITIONTechniques

8 Elements of Composition

3. Balance

Always try to achieve a sense of Balance in the shot

COMPOSITIONTechniques

8 Elements of Composition

3. BalanceTwo kinds of balance:

• Symmetrical Balance (equal)

• Asymmetrical Balance (unequal)

Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Symmetrical Balance

COMPOSITIONTechniques

8 Elements of Composition

4. Lines

Lines can psychologically “charge” your image. We react differently to different kinds of

lines

COMPOSITIONTechniques

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

COMPOSITIONTechniques

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

COMPOSITIONTechniques

8 Elements of Composition

5. PerspectiveThe 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)

COMPOSITIONTechniques

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)

COMPOSITIONTechniques

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

COMPOSITIONTechniques

8 Elements of Composition

7. Motion

Motion is directly controlled by the camera’s shutter speed

COMPOSITIONTechniques

8 Elements of Composition

7. Motion

• Fast shutter speeds “freeze” motion

• Slow shutter speeds “blur” motion

Motion

Motion Freeze

Motion Blur

Rule of MotionMovement should be placed in the frame so it is

coming into, not leaving, frame.

Rule of MotionAs 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

COMPOSITIONTechniques

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