Composition 101 Defined as the arrangement or organization of items within the frame of the photo. Includes people, objects, background and foreground Good composition directs the viewer to the main element or most interesting area of photo

Center of Visual Interest Also called CVI The one part of the photo composition that draws your eye or captures your attention There are many ways to emphasize the CVI. A good photographer uses a variety of methods to do this.

Composition methods 1. Rule of Thirds 2. Position of Horizon 3. Fill the Frame 4. Angle 5. Framing 6. Lines 7. Repetition

1. Rule of Thirds The CVI should NEVER be placed in the dead center of the photo if you can help it CVI should be off center to the left or right of frame OR to the top or bottom of frame

Rule of Thirds cont. Looking in the viewfinder, mentally divide your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically Place your CVI on one of the areas of intersections of those horizontal and vertical lines

Rule of Thirds cont.

Rule of Thirds Nightmare

Rule of Thirds cont. Notice how the girl with cell phone (CVI) is arranged in the bottom left third of the photo’s frame

Rule of Thirds cont. Notice how the elephant (CVI) is arranged in the bottom right of the frame

Rule of Thirds cont. CVI is at top right of image.

2. Horizon Position Pay attention to where the horizon line of the frame is Be sure your camera is also level so horizon isn’t tilted Place the horizon in the bottom third or upper third of the frame, never in the dead center

Level Horizon Notice horizon is in the bottom third of frame to emphasize sunset or sky (CVI)

Level Horizon Notice horizon is in the top third of frame to emphasize beach and water (CVI)

Level Horizon

Notice horizon is in the top third of frame to the line of runners (CVI)

Horizon Disasters Nice to put CVI in bottom right of frame, but horizon is dead center in photo

Level Horizon Disasters Great action but watch the tilted horizon!

3. Fill the Frame Don’t be shy! GET CLOSE to subject! Your CVI should “fill” your viewfinder nearly completely Compose photo so there’s nothing to distract from your CVI If you can’t see their eyes, you don’t have the shot

Fill the Frame examples

Fill the Frame example

Fill the Frame disasters

Fill the Frame examples

Fill the Frame Dangers Avoid MERGERS, or objects that appear to be “growing” out of people’s heads or body parts Avoid busy backgrounds so they don’t distract from your CVI Move the camera or yourself to avoid mergers

Merger Example

Merger Correction

4. Angles Avoid taking photos at eye level. It’s what you see everyday, all the time. Unusual angles add interest and give a new look to the same old thing.

Bird’s Eye View

Worm’s Eye View

Unique angle

5. Framing Use other elements in the photo to create natural frames around your CVI The frame draws the reader to the CVI for a 3-D effect Could use branches, bushes, parts of people or objects to frame CVI

Framing Example

6. Lines Use real or “imaginary” lines to guide readers through the photo and towards your CVI. Leading Lines: Actual lines like roads, hall ways, rows of desks or people, fences or buildings can be lead reader right to CVI.

Leading lines

7. Repetition Look for patterns or repeating elements that could make interesting composition. You can emphasize the repetition or break up the repetition, depending on the mood you want to create.

Emphasize the repetition

Break up the repetition

Last but not least… Be patient… But don’t wait…take lots of photos Take photos of moments and emotions Avoid posing, “Say Cheese” or staged photos