BASIC COMPOSITIONAL GUIDELINES

1. SIMPLICITY

2. RULE OF THIRDS

3. LEADING LINES

4. HORIZON LINES

5. FRAMING

6. PERSPECTIVE/POINT OF VIEW

7. DEPTH OF FIELD

8. LOOKING AT THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY

9. MANMADE PATTERNS

10. NATURAL PATTERNS

Simplicity - have a strong focal point with no distracting backgrounds

Rule of thirds - your focal point should intersect with your imaginary guidelines

Lines - add visual interest and lead you into the photo to find your focal point

Watch the horizon lines - they can change the impact of the photo

FRAMING:

WHEN YOU CAN USE AN OBJECT AS A NATURAL FRAME AROUND YOUR FOCAL POINT - FRAMING MUST OCCURE WITHOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER MANIPULATING THE ENVIRONMENT BEYOND CHANGING HIS POINT OF VIEW.

PERSPECTIVE:

CHANGING THE ANGLE FROM WHICH THE PHOTO IS TAKEN IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE “FEELING” OF THE PHOTO.

SIDE- SIDE- ABOVE- BELOW

DEPTH OF FIELD:

HOW FAR/HOW DEEP INTO THE PHOTO IS IN FOCUS.

SHORT DEPTH OF FIELD: ONLY THE FOCAL POINT IS CLEAR

LONG DEPTH OF FIELD: THE ENTIRE PHOTO IS CLEARLY IN FOCUS

LOOKING AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY:

SOMETIMES THE MOST UNUSUAL OR THE MOST ORDINARY THINGS CAN MAKE THE MOST STRIKING PHOTOS

CONSIDER EVERYTHING PHOTO WORTHY

MANMADE PATTERNS: PATTERNS CREATED BY ARTIFICIAL MEANS- EITHER THE OBJECTS HAVE BEEN PLACED MANUALLY OR CREATED ARTIFICIALLY.

NATURAL PATTERNS:

PATTERNS CREATED IN NATURE OR OCCURING NATURALLY

Scrapbook Assignment:

For each guideline discussed, you will find 5 photos that use that guideline. You can look in magazines, newspapers, yearbooks, etc. and cut out the photo. You will mount these on paper and label them accordingly. If you include more than one photo on a page, make sure they are the same guideline. You should try to find photos that appeal to you- not ones that just meet the guidelines.