COMPOSITIONI see it but I don't know where to put it so you can too!

RULE OF THIRDSThe master of compositional rules! The basic theory goes like this: the human eye tends to be more interested in images that are divided into thirds, with the subject falling at or along one of

those divisions.

GOLDEN RATIOWhile the rule of thirds divides your scene into equal thirds, the

golden ratio divides your scene a little bit differently,

GOLDEN SPIRALSThe golden spiral is a compositional tool for use with objects that have

curving lines. This spiral is drawn based series of rectangles we saw above, but you can actually visualize this based on nature's nautilus shell, which

matches the golden spiral shape almost exactly.

GOLDEN RATIO CONT:Imagining nature's nautilus shell we can see her how the

golden ratio might look at various placements of the subject.

GOLDEN TRIANGLESif your image has diagonals, try composing it using "golden triangles." To do

this, divide your image diagonally from corner to corner, then draw a line from one of the other corners until it meets the first line at a 90 degree

angle. Now place your photograph's elements so that they fall within the resulting triangles.

Golden ratio grid

RULE OF

ODDSMoving on to some simpler ideas, the

rule of odds is somewhat related to the rule of thirds. The eye tends to be more comfortable with images that contain an odd number of elements rather than an even number. The reason for this is that

the human eye will naturally wander towards the center of a group. If there's empty space there, then that's where

the eye will fall. As a photographer, you want your viewer to look at a subject,

not at an empty space.

LEAVING SPACE

If your subject is looking at something make sure there is

space for him to look into. (White space, of course, is not a literal

term but a term used to describe the space that surrounds your

subject) Likewise, "implied motion" means that if your subject is in

motion you need to give her some space that she can move across

the frame to.

FILL THE FRAME

Filling the frame, of course, is different than crowding the frame. Crowding the frame means that

you're breaking that rule of space and putting your subject in a constricting box. The "fill the

frame" rule, on the other hand, simply means that you're looking

for distracting background elements and cropping them out

whenever you can.

BALANCEA photo with a large subject positioned in the foreground at one of those

sweet spots may end up creating an image that looks tilted, or too heavy on one side. You can create some balance by including a less

important, smaller-appearing element in the background.

DEPTH

Including something in the foreground, for example, can add dimension to an otherwise two-

dimensional appearing image. You can also overlap certain elements -

since the human eye is used to seeing closer objects appear to

overlap objects that are at a distance, your viewer will automatically interpret this

information as depth.

BACKGROUNDThis is one of those rules that almost all beginning photographers

break. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our subject that we don't pay any attention to what's going on behind them. If the background

is busy and doesn't add anything to your composition don't use it.

LEADING LINESThe rule of leading lines, which says that the human eye is drawn

into a photo along lines--whether they are curved, straight, diagonal or otherwise. A line - whether geometric or implied - can bring your viewer's eye into an image and take it wherever you want it to go.

COLORCool colors (blues and greens) can make your viewer feel calm,

tranquil or at peace. Reds and yellows can invoke feelings of happiness, excitement and optimism. A sudden spot of bright color on an otherwise monochromatic background can provide a strong focal

point. How you use color can dramatically change a viewer's perception of an image.

FRAMING In photography, the term "natural frame" doesn't necessarily mean a natural object. A natural frame can be a doorway, an archway - or the branches of a tree or the mouth of a cave. Simply put, a natural frame is anything you can use en lieu of one of those expensive wood frames. Using natural frames is a trick that will isolate your subject from the rest of the image, leading the viewer's eyes straight to the place you want it to go.

VIEWPOINTPerspective can also change the viewer's perception of an object's size. To emphasize the height of a tree, for example, shoot it from below, looking up. To make something seem smaller, shoot it from

above, looking down. Viewpoint isn't just limited to high, low and eye-level of course - you can also radically change the perception of an

object by shooting it from a distance or from close up.

TEXTURE

Texture is another way of creating dimension in a photograph. By zooming in on a textured surface - even a flat one - you can make it seem as if your photograph lives in three dimensions.

SYMMETRYA symmetrical image is one that looks the same on one side as it does on the other. Symmetrical designs are an excellent excuse for you to break the rule of thirds. There are a couple of ways you can take advantage of

symmetry, which can be found in nature as well as in man-made elements. First, look for symmetrical patterns that are in unexpected places. For example, you probably won't expect to find symmetry in a

mountain range. If you do, it's worth capturing with your camera. Second, look for symmetrical patterns with strong lines, curves and patterns.

CONCLUSIONComposition is extremely important because our eyes are instinctively drawn to certain areas of an image. if you learn these rules so well that they become second nature to you, you will create better images but more importantly you will understand the story you wish to tell and

then be able to tell it on purpose with purpose!

ASSIGNMENT• Memorize 8 of the 17

composition rules

• Shoot 8 images using each of the composition rules you memorized.

• Print the single image that speaks to you the most.

• Title It, Describe it! Add it to your portfolio

• Bring to next class