The Rules of PhotographyUnit 57: Photography and Photographic Practice Terminology

P1, P2, M1, M2

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Rule of thirdsIt is split with 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines, the vocal point should be the intersection. The rule of thirds is a “rule of thumb" or guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images such as designs, films, paintings, and photographs. The guideline proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.

Framing

Framing is a technique used to bring focus to the subject. Framing can make an image more aesthetically pleasing and keep the viewer's focus on the framed object(s).

Leading Lines

The use of lines to lead he eye from the foreground to the background. They are intentional or unintentional, natural lines created in the space of the photograph and are used to create a visual narrative in the composition.

Balancing Elements

You should balance the weight of your subject with a lesser importance to ‘fill the space’.

Symmetry & Patterns

This creates a visually strong vocal point if it is a mirror image. Symmetry is one of those compositional elements that has its own dynamic impact.

Depth of FieldThe DOF is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that are acceptably sharp in an image. Depth of field does not abruptly change from sharp to unsharp, but instead occurs as a gradual transition. If you focus on a close subject you get less depth of field than when you focus on something more distant, which again can be brought to combine with aperture and focal length to widen or reduce overall depth of field.