Composition and Design

Rule of Thirds The rule of thirds states that object of attention should be placed at the intersection of the dividing lines. (Green dots) 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

Rule of Thirds 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.

Rule of Thirds 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.

Rule of Thirds But you can also place the object along one of dividing lines. (horizontal & vertical)

Rule of Thirds But you can also place the object along one of dividing lines. (horizontal & vertical)

Rule of Thirds But you can also place the object along one of dividing lines. (horizontal & vertical)

Leading Lines Leads a viewers eye to the subject.

Leading Lines The lines that can be found in images are very powerful elements that with a little practice can add dynamic impact to a photograph in terms of mood as well as how they lead an image’s viewer into a photo.

Horizontal A horizontal line in an image can conveys a message of ’stability’ or even ‘rest’. There’s something about a horizontal line in an image that conveys a message of ’stability’ or even ‘rest’. Horizons, fallen trees, oceans, sleeping people - all of these subjects have something about them that speaks either of permanency and timelessness or rest. If you want to accentuate the calming stable impact of a horizon one effective technique to use is to shoot your images with horizontal framing (with the longest part of your cameras frame from left to right. Alternatively if you want to reemphasize horizontal lines shoot with you camera in a vertical framing.

Horizontal Keep horizontal lines horizontal There’s something about a horizontal line in an image that conveys a message of ’stability’ or even ‘rest’. Horizons, fallen trees, oceans, sleeping people - all of these subjects have something about them that speaks either of permanency and timelessness or rest. If you want to accentuate the calming stable impact of a horizon one effective technique to use is to shoot your images with horizontal framing (with the longest part of your cameras frame from left to right. Alternatively if you want to reemphasize horizontal lines shoot with you camera in a vertical framing.

Vertical Vertical lines convey the feeling of power and strength (think of skyscrapers) to growth (think of trees).

Keep vertical lines vertical. Vertical lines have the ability to convey a variety of different moods in a photograph ranging from power and strength (think of skyscrapers) to growth (think of trees). As horizontal lines can be accentuated by shooting in horizontal format vertical lines can be used very effectively by swapping the way you hold your camera into a vertical framing. This lengthens the vertical subject further which can emphasize it’s height. The other option is to break this rule and frame your vertical subject horizontally which will give it the sense that your image can’t contain it (quite effective if the vertical lines are very strong). Once again it’s important to attempt to keep your vertical lines as much in line with the sides of your image as possible.

Diagonal Diagonal lines work to draw the eye through a photograph. They can add as sense of action to an image. Diagonal lines generally work well to draw the eye of an image’s viewer through the photograph. They create points of interest as they intersect with other lines and often give images depth by suggesting perspective. They can also add a sense of action to an image and add a dynamic looks and feel. Different studies have been done into how people view images and many of them say that a natural way into an image is by traveling left to right and so a diagonal line starting at the bottom left and moving to the top right of an image can be quite useful and natural. Of course you wouldn’t want to split your image into two with a harsh line from corner to corner - rather look for for patterns and curves between shapes that might do this naturally. Also rather than making a line go from the very corner to the opposite corner it’s often good to make them off centre and go to either side of corners. Then next time you go out with your camera, before you frame your shot consciously ask yourself what lines are in front of you and how you might use them to add something to you next shot by working with them rather than against them.

Diagonal

To much repetition in daily life can be a little boring PATTERN & REPETITION To much repetition in daily life can be a little boring – but capturing it in a photograph can create an image with real impact. While repetition in the humdrum of daily life can at times be a little boring - capturing it in your photography can create an image with real impact. Life is filled with patterns - many of which we overlook due to the business of our days - however once you get an eye for spotting them (and it takes being intentional and some practice) you’ll be amazed by what you see and you’ll wonder why you didn’t incorporate them into your photography before.

PATTERN & REPETITION Filling your frame with a repetitive pattern can give the impression of size and large numbers. Emphasize the Patterns Filling your frame with a repetitive pattern can give the impression of size and large numbers. The key to this is to attempt to zoom in close enough to the pattern that it fills the frame and makes the repetition seem as though it’s bursting out (even if the repetition stops just outside of your framing).

PATTERN & REPETITION Breaking Patterns The other common use of repetition in photography is to capture the interruption of the flow of a pattern. Pay particular attention to where in your frame to place the break in the pattern. It might be that the rule of thirds comes in to play here (the example to left might be improved simply by placing the red bead slightly higher or lower in the frame). Also consider your focal point in these shots - the broken pattern might be a logical spot to have everything focused sharply.

Shoot from a new or different perspective Unique Views Shoot from a new or different perspective new perspectives - sometimes it is difficult to photograph familiar objects in a way that keeps them looking fresh and interesting. Shooting from up high and looking down on a subject or shooting from below looking up on the same subject drastically impact not only the ‘look’ of the image, emphasizing different points of interest, angles, textures, shapes etc - but it also impacts the ’story’ of an image.

Bird’s Eye View Birds Eye View A bird's-eye view is an view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird Stand on a chair or ladder, get above your subject!

Bird’s Eye View Birds Eye View A bird's-eye view is an view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird Stand on a chair or ladder, get above your subject!

Bird’s Eye View Birds Eye View A bird's-eye view is an view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird Stand on a chair or ladder, get above your subject!

Worm’s Eye View Worms Eye View A worm's-eye view is a view of an object from below, as though the observer were a worm. Get down on the ground!

Worm’s Eye View Worms Eye View A worm's-eye view is a view of an object from below, as though the observer were a worm. Get down on the ground!

Close Up Fill the frame with what you want to focus on! Close Up Very limited depth of field Fill the frame with what you want to focus on So how do you fill your frame? Use your Zoom - most point and shoot digital cameras these days come with a zoom lens and all DSLRs are able to be fitted with one. Use them. Use your Legs - most photographers have a built in zoom in the form of their legs. Don’t just rely upon your cameras zoom but actually position yourself effectively for close in shots.

Close Up Close Up Very limited depth of field Fill the frame with what you want to focus on So how do you fill your frame? Use your Zoom - most point and shoot digital cameras these days come with a zoom lens and all DSLRs are able to be fitted with one. Use them. Use your Legs - most photographers have a built in zoom in the form of their legs. Don’t just rely upon your cameras zoom but actually position yourself effectively for close in shots.

Extreme Close Up (macro) Very limited depth of field Fill the frame with what you want to focus on So how do you fill your frame? Use your Zoom - most point and shoot digital cameras these days come with a zoom lens and all DSLRs are able to be fitted with one. Use them. Use your Legs - most photographers have a built in zoom in the form of their legs. Don’t just rely upon your cameras zoom but actually position yourself effectively for close in shots.

Framing Framing can be used within the composition of a shot to help you highlight your main point of interest. Framing Most of us use ‘frames’ to display our images when we hang them on walls for viewing - however ‘framing’ can be used within the composition of a shot to help you highlight your main point of interest in the image and and/or to put it in context to give the image ‘depth’. framing can draw the eye of the viewer of an interest to a particular part of the scene.

Framing Framing Most of us use ‘frames’ to display our images when we hang them on walls for viewing - however ‘framing’ can be used within the composition of a shot to help you highlight your main point of interest in the image and and/or to put it in context to give the image ‘depth’. framing can draw the eye of the viewer of an interest to a particular part of the scene.