Photography Composition

What is Photo Composition? Photo composition is an interesting arrangement of visual elements. Photo composition shows an understanding of artistic decisions while looking through the viewfinder and deciding when and how to take the shot. Professional way to look at and capture the world around us.

Why think composition before you take the picture? Snap shots are just that- no thinking involved. Is it interesting to look at…is the focal point in an interesting part of the picture? Move around your subject to get different vantage points and choose the best. Physically zoom in and out from your subject. SEE everything in your viewfinder and if possible, eliminate distracting elements in your photo.

Aperture: Depth of Field Shutter Speed: Motion Technical Effects Aperture: Depth of Field Shutter Speed: Motion

The area of focus in front of and behind your subject. *Aperture* Depth of Field The area of focus in front of and behind your subject. *Aperture*

Shallow Depth of Field Achieved by having the aperture set to a larger opening. The smaller the f-stop number,(f/2.8) the shallower the depth of field.

What is a shallow depth of field? It is a way to show the main idea or focal point in focus and the foreground and/or background blurred. This shows off the emphasis and simplifies distractions.

Shallow Depth of Field Examples  

Great Depth of Field Achieved by having the aperture set to a smaller opening. The larger the f-stop number, (f/22) the greater the depth of field.

What is a great depth of field? A great depth of field in a picture has complete focus from foreground to background. Great depth of field is used when the main idea is showing space and distance.

Great depth of field examples

The difference between the two depth of fields (Same picture, but different depth of fields) f/2.8 f/22

Motion can be either frozen in time and place, or blurred. * Shutter Speed*

Frozen Motion Faster shutter speeds Remember – shutter speed is in fractions of seconds. 2000 or 1/2000 is the fastest shutter speed and will freeze a race car in it’s tracks.

Frozen Motion

Blurred Motion Slower shutter speeds will blur, or record motion. Shutter speed will have to be 30, or 1/30 of a second and below to record motion. Remember – shutter speeds below 1/60 need a tri-pod! Has an interesting effect on water – makes it appear soft and flowing.

Blurred Motion

Composition Design This is the visual arrangement chosen by the photographer (YOU). There are compositional strategies or guidelines used by professional photographers. Rule of Thirds Leading Lines Framing Different Perspective (Angles)

Rule of Thirds Dividing the picture into thirds horizontally and vertically to avoid placing the focal point in the center.

Rule of Thirds Photos

Rule of Thirds Photos Right or Left 1/3, Top or Bottom 1/3

Leading Lines Lines in nature that are man-made or natural that lead the eye through the composition. Helps to show movement – your eye follows the line… To a focal point Around a bend Off the page Into the distance

Leading Lines Photos

Framing

The frame can be natural (ex. branches) or man-made (ex. window) What is Framing? A "frame" in a photograph is something in the foreground that leads you into the picture. The frame can be natural (ex. branches) or man-made (ex. window) Framing gives you a sense of where the viewer is, and borders the area of interest.

Framing Examples

Angles – Different Perspectives Give more interest or impact to a photo by changing up the way it’s usually viewed. (Normal Eye Level) Worm’s Eye Bird’s Eye

Worm’s Eye View

What is a Worm’s Eye view? A worm’s eye view is an angle where you are looking up!…or what a worm would see! Make the photo more interesting to view- give it a new perspective. Can make things appear out of proportion or larger than life.

Worm’s eye examples

Bird’s Eye view

What is Bird’s Eye view? An angle where you are looking down on something – as a bird would see. An arial view Can make things appear smaller than life.

Bird’s Eye View examples