Composition Guidelines

Which picture do you like more…A or B?

Composition Guidelines Use Rule of Thirds Watch horizontal & vertical lines Have subjects looking off frame Follow leading lines Look for patterns and textures You may not realize it, but every time you bring your camera up to your eye you're making decisions about composition. Simply put, composition is how you choose to frame the picture you're about to make. Many books have been written about composition, and while no two people are likely to frame the same scene the same way, there are some general guidelines that can help you improve your photos and make them more interesting and engaging.

The Rule of Thirds The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts. With this grid in mind the ‘rule of thirds’ now identifies four important parts of the image that you should consider placing points of interest in as you frame your image Important compositional elements and leading lines are placed on or near the imaginary lines and where the lines intersect.

The Rule of Thirds it also gives you four ‘lines’ that are also useful positions for elements in your photo The theory is that if you place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines that your photo becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally. Studies have shown that when viewing images that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot – using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it. How many of you know how to turn these lines on your camera? Most cameras now a days allow you to turn them on and off, if your camera (or camera phone) doesn’t have them, then you will have to just use your imagination and visualize the grid when taking photos. Any questions ?

Rule of Thirds in action Picture A is on the left again, and Picture B is on the right…..why is Picture B more appealing?

Composition: Rule of Thirds

Composition: Rule of Thirds

Composition: Rule of Thirds

How do I apply the concept? In learning how to use the rule of thirds the most important questions to be asking of yourself are: What are the points of interest in this shot? Where am I intentionally placing them? In learning how to use the rule of thirds the most important questions to be asking of yourself are: What are the points of interest in this shot? Where am I intentionally placing them?

Where to place the horizon line Most pictures look better if the horizon is positioned above or below the middle of the frame, not directly in the center of the image. The exception is when shooting a reflection. In this case having the horizon in the center can work well because it creates equal elements at top and bottom—the scene above and the reflection below. Most pictures look better if the horizon is positioned above or below the middle of the frame, not directly in the center of the image. The exception is when shooting a reflection. In this case having the horizon in the center can work well because it creates equal elements at top and bottom—the scene above and the reflection below.

Lean Into the Frame When photographing people and animals it's best to have them looking into the frame. If there’s action in your picture, leave more space on the side of the frame where the action is headed. It looks more natural that way and lets the viewer have a feel for where the subject is going. When photographing people and animals it's best to have them looking into the frame. If there’s action in your picture, leave more space on the side of the frame where the action is headed. It looks more natural that way and lets the viewer have a feel for where the subject is going.

Composition: Frames

Composition: Frames

Leading Lines When photographing buildings or other strong linear subjects, compose your image so that the architectural elements lead the viewer’s eye through the photograph. These “leading lines” lead your eyes through the image— sometimes even out of the image. These lines can be the main subjects of the image, or they can be used to lead your viewer to a specific area within the photo that is an important focal point. In addition to straight lines, curves also make interesting compositions. They serve a purpose in bringing the viewer's eye throughout an image. Curves can be the main subject, or as with leading lines, they can be a means of leading the viewer to different subjects within an image. When photographing buildings or other strong linear subjects, compose your image so that the architectural elements lead the viewer’s eye through the photograph. These “leading lines” lead your eyes through the image—sometimes even out of the image. These lines can be the main subjects of the image, or they can be used to lead your viewer to a specific area within the photo that is an important focal point. In addition to straight lines, curves also make interesting compositions. They serve a purpose in bringing the viewer's eye throughout an image. Curves can be the main subject, or as with leading lines, they can be a means of leading the viewer to different subjects within an image.

Composition: Leading Lines

Composition: Leading Lines

Composition: Leading Lines

Composition: Leading Lines

Patterns & Textures Subjects with repetitive patterns can make for interesting photographs as well. Patterns that are found in nature, or are man-made can give your image a strong composition. Look within subjects in a scene to find patterns. Textures can also work to your advantage in creating images with strong compositions. Get in close, either by zooming in or even by using a macro lens, and look for the textures in a subject. When shooting patterns or textures, you don’t need to capture the entire subject, just a portion of it. Textures can be soft, like the feathers on a bird, or harsh like peeling paint, or wood grain. Subjects with repetitive patterns can make for interesting photographs as well. Patterns that are found in nature, or are man-made can give your image a strong composition. Look within subjects in a scene to find patterns. For instance, you may see a crate full of apples and think nothing more of it, but with a tight composition on just the fruit, you’ve created a repeating pattern of color and shape. Also look for deviations in patterns. For example, what if that crate of apples were all red, but someone placed one yellow apple in the box. Now you’ve got a repetitive pattern with a break in the pattern that creates a strong point of focus (the yellow apple). Textures can also work to your advantage in creating images with strong compositions. Get in close, either by zooming in or even by using a macro lens, and look for the textures in a subject. When shooting patterns or textures, you don’t need to capture the entire subject, just a portion of it. Textures can be soft, like the feathers on a bird, or harsh like peeling paint, or wood grain.

Other Techniques Long Exposure Camera Angle Panning Lighting Exposure Compensation Flash Control White Balance Questions

Long Exposure long-duration shutter speed to sharply capture the stationary elements of images while blurring, smearing, or obscuring the moving elements.

Composition: Camera Angle

Composition: Camera Angle

Composition: Camera Angle

Composition: Motion - Panning

Composition: Motion - Panning

Lighting: Backlight

Lighting: Backlight

Lighting: Sidelight

Exposure Compensation +0.7 EV 0.0 EV -0.7 EV

Exposure Compensation: Writing on a White Board 0.0 EV + 1. EV

Controlling the Flash

White Balance

Composition Assignment #1? Find 10 Examples of the various Compositions and copy and paste them on additional slides. Create a quiz for yourself to see if others can guess which composition style each picture represents. Questions

Composition Techniques Rule of Thirds Horizon Line Lean into Frames Frames Leading Lines Patterns and Textures Long Exposure Camera Angle Panning Lighting Exposure Compensation Flash Control White Balance

Composition Assignment #2 After Mr. Nedow places in a group you will check out a DSLR Camera. Each of you in the group will take the following images and create a bad vs good Rule of Thirds Composition. One image with a person or object in the center of the photograph. One image with the same person or object in one of the areas of the rule of thirds grid. Place both side by side on a Word or Photoshop Document to show bad vs good Rule of Thirds Composition