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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