Composition The Art of Seeing Images Arrangement of elements Relationship of elements

Part Two Visual Elements

Visual Elements Typical Visual Elements include: Lines Shapes The Spot

Visual Elements Line: denote movement in one direction Horizontals Verticals Parallel Verticals/Horizontals Curved or S-shaped lines Diagonals Irregulars

Linear elements Diagonal lines are dynamic; curved lines are flowing and graceful such as roads, waterways, a fence and shadows You can often find the right line by moving around and choosing an appropriate angle natural lines of the scene lead the viewers' eyes into the picture and toward your main center of interest

Function of Lines Lines help the viewer to read the image Help viewer to locate key contrasts Add visual interest Guide the viewer in a certain direction

HORIZONTALS Add stability to photo, imply COOL or RESTFUL

Parallel Vert. / Horz. Lines Suggest: Symmetry, Order, or Direction

Parallel Vert. / Horz. Lines

Verticals Can suggest WARMTH or AGGRESSIVENESS Intersection of vertical and horizontal lines create FOCAL POINTS

Verticals

Curved or S-Shaped Lines Most Natural appearing, evoke natural rhythms, and feelings of slow, easy movement

Curved or S-Shaped Lines

Diagonals Neither warm or cool Most naturally occur from Lower Left to Upper Right Falling Diagonals move Down and Off picture

Diagonals

Irregular Lines Varying size, thickness, shape, & texture Provides visual interest

Irregular Lines

SHAPES Five basic forms or SHAPES in photography Squares Triangles Circles Oblongs Irregular

Squares & Triangles

Squares

Circles & Oblongs

Circles & Oblongs

Circles & Oblongs

Contrast more impact light subject placed against a dark background and vice versa Contrasting colors

Contrast & The Spot One “spot” that commands the viewer’s attention Focal point of contrasting masses

The Spot

Other Compositional Tools Lines of Direction Actual & Psychological Directs movement of eye through image Shape & Form Shape is flat, two-dimensional Repeated shapes can form a shape Form refers to volume, its 3-D Depth—Lines of Perspective Parallel lines converge in distance Gives sense of depth to photo

Direction of movement leave space in front of the subject it appears to be moving into, rather than out of, the image

Lines of Direction

Shape & Form

Repeated Shape

Repeated Shape

Form, Shadow, & Light Shadows coming towards the viewer implies the “third” dimension

Depth: Lines of Perspective

Depth: Lines of Perspective

Rule of Thirds One of the most popular 'rules' in photography and art principle taught in fine art, graphic design and photography based on the theory that the eye goes naturally to a point about two-thirds up the page achieve the informal or asymmetric balance mentioned above

Rule of Thirds Imaginary lines are drawn dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically important elements placed where these lines intersect also arrange areas into bands occupying a third or place things along the imaginary lines simple to implement

Rule of Thirds The Greeks developed the concept of the “Golden Mean” Divide the image into grid of 1/3s Place subject at one of intersecting lines

Rule of Thirds or Golden Mean

Some Examples

Some Examples

Some Examples

Rule of Thirds Common example is the placement of the horizon line in landscape photography

If the area of interest is land or water Horizon line will usually be two- thirds up from the bottom To suggest closeness, position the horizon high in your picture

If the sky is the area of emphasis Horizon line may be one-third up from the bottom, leaving the sky to occupy the top two-thirds To accent spaciousness, keep the horizon low in the picture

Breaking the Rule of Thirds Once you have got the hang of the Rule of Thirds you will very quickly want to break it This is fine 'rules' are best used as guidelines if you can create a better image by bending or ignoring rules then fire away

Breaking the Rule of Thirds

Framing - Foreground objects Add a sense of depth to the picture helps establish scale use the foreground elements to "frame" your subject Overhanging tree branches, a doorway, or an arch can give a picture the depth something in the foreground that leads you into the picture or gives you a sense of where the viewer is

Framing - Foreground objects

Framing - Foreground objects

Framing - Foreground objects

Framing Don't forget that you can turn cameras sideways vertical for tall buildings, waterfalls, or a person horizontal for groups of people, cars, and dachshunds Switch it around Try both horizontal and vertical pictures of the same subject

Framing the Image In-camera: Horizontal Vertical

Framing the Image Out-of-Camera:

Concludes Composition References: Photography, 7th Ed., by London, Upton, Kobre, Brill Photography, 2nd Ed., by Bruce Warren Foundations of art & design, 3rd Ed., by Mark Galer