Creating a Composition What separates pictures from Photographs? © Beth Rowe 2005

There are 8 major elements to creating an composition in black and white Photography Click on each subject to explore the meaning of each element 1.SubjectSubject 2.Perspective LinesPerspective Lines 3.Rule of ThirdsRule of Thirds 4.Light and ShadowLight and Shadow 5.Space (Positive and Negative)Space (Positive and Negative) 6.TrianglesTriangles 7.Repeating PatternRepeating Pattern 8.TextureTexture

Subject The subject of your composition what you want the viewer to focus on. It is the main idea, the main character. It is the image that the reset of the composition supports. Click here to return to main menu

Perspective Lines Perspective Line are the subtle lines that lead the eye in to the distance. These lines can also lead the viewer to your subject. To the right is an example of how perspective lines draw the viewers. Click here Click here to look at other examples where photographers use perspective as a major part of their composition. Then click on each picture and in Photoshop use the line tool to trace the perspective lines just as I have done in the example on the right

Can you trace the perspective lines with your finger. When you’re done click here to see the correct answers click here

Here are the correct answers to the perspective line photos. Click here to return to main menu. Click here

Light and Shadow Perhaps one of the most important element of Black and White photography is the attention paid to light and shadow. This is what creates the shades of grey and give a photo strong or soft contrast. Ansel Adams (top right) was a master photographer who used natural light and shadow. Likewise Imogen Cunningham (bottom right) used artificial light to also create great photographs. Click on each photo to see larger reproductions then click on the larger photos to return here. Click here to return to main menu.Click here

Rule of Thirds The Rule of Thirds is the imaginary lines that divide the picture plane in to thirds; from top to bottom and from left to right. The subject is then placed in one of these sections. The subject should almost never be placed in the middle third. Also when using the rule of thirds it is good to use A-symmetry or perspective lines. The top right example the main subject is the man and woman. On the bottom right the picture plain is divided top to bottom and women’s face is the main subject Click here Click here to continue

Here are more examples of photographers who have placed their subject in out side of the middle third. Click here to return to main menu. Click here

Positive and Negative Space Positive space is the space that the subject or the supporting objects occupy. Conversely, the negative space is the area around the positive space. Although the negative space holds no significant object it is critical to framing the subject Above is a photo with obvious positive and negative space. The negative space is the white background and the positive space is the man and the piano Below that the positive space is the man and the wire he is on. The negative space is all of the area around him Click here Click here to return to main menu.

Triangles Perhaps one of the best way to create a strong composition is to incorporate triangles. As you may know triangles are the strongest geometric shape. They are also the strongest compositional space. Therefore if you are able to compose your photo into a triangle it will be a more successful. Click here to continue

Can you find the triangles in these photos. Trace the triangle(s) within the photo with your finger. When you’re done click here to see the correct answersclick here

Correct answers to Triangles. Click here to go back to main menu Click here

Repeating Pattern and Lines When images are repeating the overall composition is strengthen and idea is enhanced. Click here to return to main menu. Click here

Texture Texture is the tangible feel of an object. Texture can be soft, hard, sharp, rough, smooth etc. These tangible textures can be captured visually and add depth to a photograph. Click here Click here to open a word file that will have several photos. Under them write what the texture is. When completed type you name on the document and print it out. Click here to return to main menu

Works Cited Walker Evans Girl in Fulton Street New York, 1929 Lewis Hine Man on girders, mooring mast Empire State Building New York, ca 1931 Lewis Hine Icarus atop Empire State Building New York, 1931 Margaret Bourke-White Fort Peck Dam 1936 Bill Brandt Coal Searcher Going Home to Jarrow 1937 Margaret Bourke-White Diversion Tunnels, Fort Peck Dam 1936 Brassai (Gyula Halasz) Obelisk and fountains in the Place de la Concorde From "Paris by Night" 1933 Harry Callahan Eleanor and Barbara Chicago 1953 Harry Callahan Providence c Alvin Langdon Coburn Cadiz 1908 Alvin Langdon Coburn Williamsburg Bridge 1909 Roy DeCarava Graduation 1949 Walker Evans Stamped Tin Relic 1929 Lee Friedlander Garry Winogand 1957

Works Cited cont. Lee Friedlander King Curtis New York City 1970 Yousuf Karsh E. Scotch & Son (Canadian tourism advertising) n.d. Andre Kertesz Rue des Ursins 1931 Andre Kertesz Poughkeepsie, New York 1937 Josef Koudelka Portugal 1976 Tina Modotti Staircase, Mexico 1925 Tina Modotti Stadium, Mexico City c Timothy O'Sullivan Vermillion Creek Canyon 1867 Tina Modotti Bandolier, corn, guitar 1927 Dorothea Lange Migrant Mother; Nipomo, California 1936 Karl Blossfeldt Nigella damascena Karl Blossfeldt Dipsacus fullonum Common teasel Flower head magnified six times Brassai (Gyula Halasz) Open Gutter From "Paris by Night" 1933 Tina Modotti Bandolier, corn, guitar 1927

Works Cited cont. Dorothea Lange Migratory Cotton Picker 1940 Helen Levitt New York c Imogen Cunningham Succulent c. 1920s Imogen Cunningham Agave Design 2 c Robert Doisneau Fox terrier on the Pont des Arts 1953 Robert Doisneau Barbarian prisoner and Callipygian Venus, Versailles 1966