Composition The word composition means combining or 'putting together’ parts to form a whole. Composition can apply to many works of human endeavour including music and writing – in fact anything that is arranged or ‘put together’ using conscious thought.

Rule of Thirds Divide the image into thirds as shown – If the main visual components (things in the image) lie near the lines then the image often tends to look ‘right’. [Remember, rules are there to be broken - once you understand and can follow them!]

Chris Monaghan Which one do you prefer? Which image more closely follows the rule of thirds?

Gary Winogrand Sometimes an image does not follow the rule of thirds exactly, but the main visual components (‘things’) in the image are close to the 1/3rd bisectors.

Landscape photography often uses the rule of thirds – how? Fay Godwin Landscape photography often uses the rule of thirds – how?

Fay Godwin Landscape photography often uses the rule of thirds by having the horizon line on or near one of the two horizontal lines

The Rule Of Even And Odd An even number of ‘things’ in an image can sometimes create a feeling of tension or a slightly un-natural look. Norman Parkinson Dianne Arbus

An odd number of subjects in an image often has a more natural, symmetrical or balanced feel than an even number.

Henri Cartier Bresson In much art 3 subjects or ‘things’ in an image (an odd number) can draw attention to the central subject.

Triangles Triangles have 3 sides and tend to form stable, solid looking compositions. Can you spot any triangles? Arnold Newman

Victorian Family Portraits Can you spot any triangles? Why were triangular compositions often used for family portraits (think about what the triangle connotes – stability and solidity).

Victorian Family Portraits Think about what the triangle connotes – stability and solidity

Rule of space Nadar Which composition is more dynamic? Which composition is more ‘restful’, allowing the subject to ‘look dreamily into space’?

Swimmers diving into the water (shot from beneath the water, looking upwards).

Space is sometimes used to help suggest movement. The swimmers appear to be moving into the empty space ahead of them

Simplification How does Rembrandt draw our attention into the face? Rembrandt, Self Portrait.

Simplification ANSWER: Lighting - the face has more light on it than other areas. The brush-strokes are finer and more detailed in the facial area but become broader and less detailed for other areas. Vignette – the painting becomes darker towards the edges. Use of colour – dark ‘drab’ colours except for the face.

Next Lesson: Bring in a camera!!! Bring in some objects to photograph – think about razzle dazzle!