Photographic Composition Design

If the original viewpoint concept is not right all technical procedures have small meaning-Ansel Adams

You don't take a photograph, you make it. There is nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept. A good photograph is knowing where to stand. A good photograph is knowing where to stand. -Ansel Adams

COMPOSITION Composition is simply the art of arranging the elements of the subject in a pleasing and orderly way. Composition is simply the art of arranging the elements of the subject in a pleasing and orderly way. We use the elements and principle of art to do this. We use the elements and principle of art to do this. The following slides are some rules of composition you will use to complete a powerpoint presentation. The following slides are some rules of composition you will use to complete a powerpoint presentation.

VERTICAL COMPOSITION Emphasis on the height, the vertical elements, cropping can emphasize this type of composition Emphasis on the height, the vertical elements, cropping can emphasize this type of composition

HORIZONTAL Emphasis on the width, the Horizontal elements, cropping can emphasize this type of composition Emphasis on the width, the Horizontal elements, cropping can emphasize this type of composition

TRIANGULAR Good for isolating areas, it concentrates the eye’s focus. You tend to create an area within an area. A Painter’s composition from the Renaissance. Good for isolating areas, it concentrates the eye’s focus. You tend to create an area within an area. A Painter’s composition from the Renaissance.

RULE OF THIRDS By dividing the viewfinder into a grid of horizontal and vertical thirds. Place the main subject matter of the image along these line By dividing the viewfinder into a grid of horizontal and vertical thirds. Place the main subject matter of the image along these line

At least since the Renaissance, many artists and architects have proportioned their works to approximate the golden ratio—especially in the form of the golden rectangle, in which the ratio of the longer side to the shorter is the golden ratio— believing this proportion to be aesthetically pleasing. Mathematicians have studied the golden ratio because of its unique and interesting properties.

L - SHAPE Usually a vertical foreground against a horizontal background. Based on rule of thirds. Usually a vertical foreground against a horizontal background. Based on rule of thirds.

RADIAL Everything leads to a central point of interest. The eye of the viewer is lead along the lines of the subject. The photographer is using the perspective lines. Everything leads to a central point of interest. The eye of the viewer is lead along the lines of the subject. The photographer is using the perspective lines.

OBLIQUE Subset of radial composition where the focus point is off the page Subset of radial composition where the focus point is off the page

SUBORDINATION An immediate foreground image which tends to dominate. The background often is relevant to the meaning of the image An immediate foreground image which tends to dominate. The background often is relevant to the meaning of the image