Composition Concepts & Guidelines
Transcript of Composition Concepts & Guidelines
Composition The basic Concepts rules of Composition.
What is Composition?
Composition is:• A musical score
• Something you write for English class
• Organic substance used in farming
• Arrangement of visual elements
Composition
The word composition means combining or putting together parts to form a whole.Composition can apply to many works of human endeavor, in fact anything that is arranged or ‘put together’ using conscious thought.
The modern camera is capable of many things• auto focus• auto exposure
– select a suitable shutter speed or aperture
• multitude of other functions
One thing no camera can do
• Compose the image– It has no idea
what it is pointing at
– it has no idea what you are trying to achieve
Good images result from:
• Careful attention to some basic elements of composition
• Appropriate lighting
• Interesting subject
No "right" way to take a picture• Three photographers recording same scene may
create equally appealing photographs with entirely different composition
• "There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.“
- Ansel Adams
Important question to ask
• "What message do I want to deliver?"– it comes down
to your ability to 'see' a picture or potential to create a picture
• load of 'rules' and techniques– guidelines, not
hard and fast "rules"
A novice can achieve good image using these guidelines
• Point of Interest• Viewpoints• Rule of Thirds• Simplicity• Background• Space• Triangles• Lines• Balance• Symmetry• Pattern, Repetition and Texture
Learning ‘rules’ about art can seem stifling or constricting – if all artists just follow a set of rules then their art would look very similar and become very boring!
Many original artists break or ‘bend’ these rules, but to do so successfully they first had to fully understand the rules. So you need to learn the rules first before you can break them!
Point of Interest• Identify a
primary point of interest
• Compose to emphasize most important element
Viewpoint
• Can change a picture dramatically– moving the camera up or down or– stepping to one side– find an "unusual" point of view
3 basic ways to adjust viewpoint
• Physically move objects relative to each other– Only really works with still life
photography• Tell people to move relative to
each other or other objects– Only works with people who can hear
you
3 basic ways to adjust viewpoint
• Move– Usually the most effective way to
control composition – easiest and yet most important
• wander about and see if you can improve on your original composition by changing your viewpoint
• much difference can had by walking a few feet
Viewpoint• Study the scene from various
angles or perspectives:
– High– Low– Straight on– Above
• Which of these perspectives best helps the viewer understand your intentions?
Different Angles
Low Angle High Angle© 2002 Evan DiLeo
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Different Angles
Pooch Level
The Golden Ratio and The Fibonnacci sequence are mathematical equations that have attempted to understand the natural pattern of nature. These theories have been used
by artists, architects, photographers, musicians and many others throughout history to achieve ‘beauty and balance’.
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, ……
Rule of Thirds
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Don McCullin
Landscape photography often uses the rule of thirds
Example of Simplicity
Simplicity
The saying 'less is more' applies
often in photography. Usually it is a
good idea to get rid of elements and try to keep the composition
simple.
Simplicity
• Only the things you want the viewer to see appear in the picture
• numerous objects cluttering up the background - message lost
• can’t find an angle or framing to isolate subject– consider using depth of field control to keep
the background out of focus
What technique has the photographer used to simplify this image?
Simplicity
Is this picture ‘simplified’ ? If not, why not … and so what might the photographer Joel Meyerowitz be saying about life in the modern city?
Uncomplicated background• Be especially aware of
what is behind your subject– Forced Visual Relationships– does not compete with
your subject– viewfinder to create a
frame of reference—like the print’s edge
– eliminate distracting backgrounds before you release the shutter
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Rule of space
Space can help to create a sense of movement in images….
Space can also allow for a sense of peace in an image. This technique is often used in landscape photography – why?
Closely cropped or ‘tight’ space is often used creatively in portraiture to convey a range of emotions…
Rule of Triangles
Triangles have 3 sides and tend to form stable, solid looking compositions.
Arnold Newman
Can you spot any triangles?
Robert Capa
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Example of Lines Lines
Lines
Lines are found everywhere in the world. Lines in a photo can be for example roads, rivers, a shore line and a horizon.
Lines can enhance composition and lead the eye through the picture. Different lines express different feelings.
Horizontal lines are calm, vertical lines are strong and diagonal lines are dynamic.
Diagonal lines are maybe
the most interesting of
straight lines. They create a sense of
energy and motion into
the photo.
Other types of lines are for example leading lines which lead the eye into the subject of the photo.
One of the most common and graceful lines used in composition is called the S curve.
Balance• Asymmetric or
informal balance– considered more
pleasing than symmetric (formal) balance
• placing the main subject off-center– balancing "weight" with
other objects• smaller or lower impact
– more dynamic and interesting composition
Balance-Asymmetrical
Balance-Symmetrical
Symmetry
Symmetrical images, often by breaking the ‘rule of thirds’, can be dynamic images with great impact
Repetition, Pattern & Texture
Ansel Adams: Silver Birch Trees
When something is repeated, it can create a strong visual effect.
Denise Scicluna
Andreas Gursky
Yann Bertrand
Andreas Gursky Paul Strand
Pattern can be used to suggest texture, or can produce an abstract visual experience.
Framing Your Subject
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