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Composition and Impact

It’s a beautiful

picture…but do you

know why it’s

beautiful?

Oftentimes we see a photo and know it’s lovely…how do

they do it?

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Well, we don’t have to be geniuses but

rather, knowing a few key techniques might just let us be masters

ourselves…

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So lets begin and see what the magic is all

about…

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1. Get really really close to your subject

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First, and most important, rule: Simplify. The more you simplify, the more attention you draw to your subject, the more successful you are in communicating your message to the viewer...eliminate anything in the background that may detract from your subject.

Get closer and closer until there's nothing else in the viewfinder except the focus of the subject matteritself…this technique is called “filling the frame”.

Bottom line is to focus on your subject by really thinking about what you want to emphasize.

Soft bellowing effect of rose petals

Luscious lips of laughter

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What do you think these pictures convey about the musicians?

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Close up shots can sometimes give you the impact of human emotions… just play it up!

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Close up shots can also show up details which can be quite intoxicating and mesmerising…

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Let’s learn about “Depth of Field”It’s influenced by •Focal length•Aperture, and •Distance between you and the subject

2. CLASS EXERCISE

Photograph your personal item by•Varying distance between camera and subject•Changing focal length and aperture settings

2. Photographic Composition

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Several "classic" ways to compose a photo. You will need to train yourself, foremost, to see your subjects in terms of lines and shapes.

Sometimes lines in a photo are obvious, like the horizon in a sunset. Other times, the main lines in a photo are not nearly so obvious.

One way to see the main shapes in your photos is by squinting your eyes until the image becomes a blur. You'll possibly see lines and shapes created by the shadows and light. This is a great way to look at a scene when you're thinking about composing a photo.

Try it and see how that helps you…

The rule of thirds

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One of the most commonly talked-about rules in photography is the Rule of Thirds. The concept is best explained by taking your photo and dividing it up into thirds, vertically and horizontally.

The rule of thirds is derived from another rule called the "Golden Mean" that says that the main subjects of an image should be placed at the intersecting points created (roughly) by the lines mentioned above, thusly:

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Which photo do you think makes a better shot from the compositional point of view?

Can you see how the Rule of Thirds can help to quickly compose a picture without needing too much unnecessary fuss thinking about where to put your

focus…Try it and be thrilled!

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For a sunset photo, try placing the horizon one-third the way from top or bottom of your photo, to include more foreground or more sky.

You'll notice a stronger landscape this way

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Look at the photo on the right…the image is split into three distinct areas:

1. Orange sand (foreground)

2. Blue and white mountains with clouds (middle ground)

3. Dark purple stormy clouds (background)

The photo is much more interesting this way than if the horizon line is centered right in the middle of the photo.

3

2

1

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Look at the photo on the left…notice the pink daisy blossom is placed at one of the intersection points.

The background itself is not distracting.

The blue of the vase melts into the blue background, and all of that blue really makes the contrasting pink stand out and grab your attention.

That’s what composition is about…Balance

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Look at the photos here and see if you can analyse how the Rule of Thirds is being used to focus on the subject matter…

Other Rules of Composition

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There are other ways besides the rule of thirds to use lines and shapes to strengthen an image. Here's a quick overview of six additional methods of

composition that can strengthen your images.

The Triangle Frame Within a Frame

Leading Lines

The Circle RhythmNegative

space

The Triangle

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When you take a photo basing the composition of a triangle that goes from one corner to the two opposite sides, the image is stronger and more dynamic.

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By placing objects along strong diagonal lines, creating a triangle, you'll add strength to your image, as the eye is led from one corner to the other… Try it and see how dynamic your photo turns out to be…Remember balance…

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Look closely…can you tell where the triangles are?

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Remember composing with diagonals or triangles and balance

Frame Within a Frame

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Use materials in your foreground and include them in your photo around two or more of the edges, creating a "frame within a frame“ effect.

Mostly done with trees or branches, archways, doorways, etc. to frame the views you want tocapturing…

Good for landscape or urban shots…

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The frame should have at least 2 sides. Avoid using only one side of the frame which could create off-balance shots.

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Can you spot the frames?

Leading Lines

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Leading lines are great in composing a photo…

Line created by the path leads the viewer into the photo, as if they were standing on the trail, ready to walk right into the image.

The photo is interesting because it “invites” the viewer into the picture…

Think about how you would like to “invite” the viewer into your picture…

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Combine 2 or more techniques together…

Notice the photo below. The road leads your eye into the image, meets the horizon which is one third from top of photo (rule of thirds combined with leading lines).

Edges of the petals lead the eyes into centre of flower…Row of trees or street lights vanish in the distance, etc…

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The Circle

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The circle can be used very effectively when composing a photograph, if the subject is right.

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Rhythm

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Another way to create dynamic impact in your photograph is with the use of "visual rhythm".

Use repetition of form and shape in an image to create interest.

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Negative space implies only small portion offrame is taken up by subject matter itself.

Used either to make the subject matter seem very small, or give impression of subject matter in a wide-open space – “less is more” approach.

Balance of negative space and subject is crucial…use rule of diagonals as basis…

Negative Space

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Sometimes you can place the subject in the center of the negative space…

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Learn to see compositionally by taking abstract photographs.

By abstract, subject matter is unrecognizable for most part. Get in close, use colour and lines in your composition. When you're done, look closely at it.

Does the photo feel "balanced"?

If the photo does not seem to resemble anything you’ve ever seen before, chances are that you’ve succeeded in taking an abstract shot…Congrats!!

Putting it all together

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Look at the image on the right…

Combination of rule of thirds and diagonals… Diagonal giving strength to the composition. Petals meet each other at the bottom third of the image.

Sometimes by combining techniquesa different composition arises.

Test it yourself and create your own signature style.

Be your own master.

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The light falling on a red object in the background was captured to make a vivid abstract.

Once again the rule of thirds comes into play with the technique of “getting closer”.

The line of rivets is aligned using rule of thirds and the texture creates an interesting abstract.

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Is Abstract for everyone?

Abstract photography is definitely not for everyone, but it can be a wonderful learning tool to grasp

composition and balance in a photo.

It forces you to pay attention to the things that might not come naturally,

like the rule of thirds and other techniques

discussed

Revealing Eye in Digital Photography DE002ALet your imagination run wild and test out some of the techniques discussed…

Explore your style and have fun discovering your hidden talents!

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OK now it’s time to show what you’ve taken the last week.Extraordinary out of the Ordinary…Don’t be shy…Show what you have…