Basic Elements
of Photographic
Composition
Theory of Photographic
Composition can be
summed up in this phrase—
”You do not TAKE a photo,
you MAKE a photo”
For most, “Taking” a photo
is another way of making a
record of a moment in time.
The Birthday, The Graduation, The
Vacation, The Friends, The BFF !!!
“Taking” a photo is a reflex.
“Making” a photo is a
thoughtful act
The word “Thoughtful” is not
used to suggest kindness,
consideration, or sympathy.
It is a “Thought-filled” action
This is “Taking”….
It is simply a “Record” of the
classroom at a certain time
Let’s see what happens if
we “thoughtfully” apply a
few rules of Photographic
Composition to the same
scene
This is “Making”….
Same environment, but by “Thought-fully” applying a few
rules the outcome is different
Or, this…
Or, this…
Or, this…
Or, this…
What are the “Rules” in
Photographic Composition?
--Leading Lines
--Rule of Thirds
--Balance
--Point of View
--Framing
Plus many others….
Use of “Leading Lines”
can dramatically
increase the interest in a
photo
Jayme Drew ‘07
Jayme Drew ‘07
Let’s take a closer look at this
photo by Jayme…
It’s obvious the main
“Leading Line” are the RR
tracks
Jayme Drew ‘07
But, take a look at the hands
reaching out and touching
each other…
Another strong “Leading Line”
Jayme Drew ‘07
Look at the shadow she casts
near the center bottom…
Another strong “Leading Line”
The “Lines” in a photo
must add to the overall
interest. It is not just a “Line for the sake of a Line”
This is
NOT a
dynamic
use of
Leading
lines…
This is…
Photo by Jackie Fiday ‘12
This is…
This is…
Mariuxi Rodas
Karlie LaDolce ‘10
Leading Lines are any
line that draws attention
to the point of interest
Leading Lines are any
line that draws attention
to the point of interest
Leading Lines
are any line
that draws
attention to the
point of
interest
Leading Lines are any
line that draws attention
to the point of interest
Leading Lines are any
line that draws attention
to the point of interest
Leading Lines are any
line that draws attention
to the point of interest
Myra Limon
2013
Rosa Rodriguez ‘03
Rosa Rodriguez ‘03
Let’s take a closer look at Rosa’s photo…
There are 3 lines of
interest in this photo…
Rosa Rodriguez ‘03
Let’s take a closer look at Rosa’s photo…
The straight white…
Rosa Rodriguez ‘03
Let’s take a closer look at Rosa’s photo…
The straight black…
Rosa Rodriguez ‘03
Let’s take a closer look at Rosa’s photo…
And, this curved line here…
Rosa Rodriguez ‘03
Let’s take a closer look at Rosa’s photo…
Now, tell me what those lines are:
--the straight white
--the straight black
--the curved line
Rosa Rodriguez ‘03
Let’s take a closer look at Rosa’s photo…
This is as simple as it gets—
A sunny day
A parking lot
A girl’s shadow
(focus and correct exposure help, also)
Deanna Hasselbring ‘10
Olga Lopez ‘11
Tony Salinas ‘11
Sarah Weber ‘13
Nancy Garcia ‘13
Myra Limon ‘13
Different Types of
Leading Lines
STRAIGHT
LINES
Different Types of
Leading Lines
DIAGONAL
LINES
Different Types of
Leading Lines
CURVED
LINES
#1 Do a web search for Leading Lines. Find 2 examples each for
Straight, Curved,and Diagonal. Brief comment for each.
#2 You need 6 photos:
• 2 for Straight Lines
• 2 for Curved Lines
• 2 for Diagonal Lines
Three short
videos that
visualize the
concept of
“Leading Lines”
Let’s take a look
at two videos
that will help
explain this
concept.
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