Composition The Art of Seeing Images

• Arrangement of elements

• Relationship of elements

Part TwoVisual Elements

• Typical Visual Elements include:• Lines

• Shapes

• The Spot

Visual Elements

Visual Elements

•Line: denote movement in one direction

•Horizontals•Verticals•Parallel Verticals/Horizontals•Curved or S-shaped lines•Diagonals•Irregulars

Linear elements

• Diagonal lines are dynamic; curved lines are flowing and graceful

– such as roads, waterways, a fence and shadows

• You can often find the right line by moving around and choosing an appropriate angle

– natural lines of the scene lead the viewers' eyes into the picture and toward your main center of interest

Function of Lines

• Lines help the viewer to read the image

• Help viewer to locate key contrasts

• Add visual interest• Guide the viewer

in a certain direction

HORIZONTALS

• Add stability to photo, imply COOL or RESTFUL

Parallel Vert. / Horz. Lines

• Suggest: Symmetry, Order, or Direction

Parallel Vert. / Horz. Lines

Verticals

• Can suggest WARMTH or AGGRESSIVENESS

• Intersection of vertical and horizontal lines create FOCAL POINTS

Verticals

Curved or S-Shaped Lines

• Most Natural appearing, evoke natural rhythms, and feelings of slow, easy movement

Curved or S-Shaped Lines

Diagonals

• Neither warm or cool• Most naturally occur from Lower Left to

Upper Right• Falling Diagonals move Down and Off

picture

Diagonals

Irregular Lines

• Varying size, thickness, shape, & texture

• Provides visual interest

Irregular Lines

SHAPES

• Five basic forms or SHAPES in photography– Squares– Triangles– Circles– Oblongs– Irregular

Squares & Triangles

Squares

Circles & Oblongs

Circles & Oblongs

Circles & Oblongs

Contrast

• more impact

– light subject placed against a dark background and vice versa

– Contrasting colors

Contrast & The Spot• One “spot” that commands the

viewer’s attention• Focal point of contrasting masses

The Spot

Other Compositional Tools

• Lines of Direction– Actual & Psychological– Directs movement of eye through image

• Shape & Form– Shape is flat, two-dimensional– Repeated shapes can form a shape– Form refers to volume, its 3-D

• Depth—Lines of Perspective– Parallel lines converge in distance– Gives sense of depth to photo

Direction of movement

• leave space in front of the subject

– it appears to be moving into, rather than out of, the image

Lines of Direction

Shape & Form

Repeated Shape

Repeated Shape

Form, Shadow, & Light

• Shadows coming towards the viewer implies the “third” dimension

Depth: Lines of Perspective

Depth: Lines of Perspective

Rule of Thirds

• One of the most popular 'rules' in photography and art

– principle taught in fine art, graphic design and photography

• based on the theory that the eye goes naturally to a point about two-thirds up the page

– achieve the informal or asymmetric balance mentioned above

Rule of Thirds

• Imaginary lines are drawn dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically

– important elements placed where these lines intersect

– also arrange areas into bands occupying a third or place things along the imaginary lines

• simple to implement

Rule of Thirds

• The Greeks developed the concept of the “Golden Mean”

• Divide the image into grid of 1/3s

• Place subject at one of intersecting lines

Rule of Thirds or Golden Mean

Some Examples

Some Examples

Some Examples

Rule of Thirds

• Common example is the placement of the horizon line in landscape photography

If the area of interest is land or water

• Horizon line will usually be two-thirds up from the bottom

• To suggest closeness, position the horizon high in your picture

If the sky is the area of emphasis

• Horizon line may be one-third up from the bottom, leaving the sky to occupy the top two-thirds

• To accent spaciousness, keep the horizon low in the picture

Breaking the Rule of Thirds

• Once you have got the hang of the Rule of Thirds

– you will very quickly want to break it

– This is fine

• 'rules' are best used as guidelines

• if you can create a better image by bending or ignoring rules then fire away

Breaking the Rule of Thirds

Framing - Foreground objects

• Add a sense of depth to the picture

– helps establish scale

• use the foreground elements to "frame" your subject

– Overhanging tree branches, a doorway, or an arch can give a picture the depth

– something in the foreground that leads you into the picture or gives you a sense of where the viewer is

Framing - Foreground objects

Framing - Foreground objects

Framing - Foreground objects

Framing

• Don't forget that you can turn cameras sideways

– vertical for tall buildings, waterfalls, or a person

– horizontal for groups of people, cars, and dachshunds

• Switch it around

– Try both horizontal and vertical pictures of the same subject

Framing the Image

• In-camera:– Horizontal– Vertical

Framing the Image

• Out-of-Camera:

Concludes Composition

References:References:•Photography, 7Photography, 7thth Ed. Ed., by London, Upton, Kobre, Brill, by London, Upton, Kobre, Brill

•Photography, 2Photography, 2ndnd Ed. Ed., by Bruce Warren, by Bruce Warren

•Foundations of art & design, 3Foundations of art & design, 3rdrd Ed Ed., by Mark Galer., by Mark Galer