Basic Compositional Rules Photographymad.com

Composition  The sum of all visual tricks a photographer used to make a picture pleasing and/or challenging to the eye

Rule of Thirds

1. Rule of Thirds  Imagine that your image is divided into 9 equal segments by 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines. The rule of thirds says that you should position the most important elements in your scene along these lines, or at the points where they intersect.

 Doing so will add balance and interest to your photo. Most cameras have an option to use a rule of thirds grid over the LCD screen, making it even easier to use.

2. The Golden Ratio  The Golden Ratio is a mathematical sequence of numbers also known as the Fibonacci sequence created in the 12 th century by Leonardo Fibonacci, a mathematician. The first two Fibonacci numbers are ) and 1, and each number following is the sum of the previous two… the sequence is 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89…

The Golden Ratio cont.  The ratio of each pair of consecutive numbers is roughly phi, or the number (5 ÷ 3 is 1.666, 8 ÷ 5 is 1.60…)

How this relates to composition? This can be expressed through composition in 2 ways. 1.The Phi Grid 2.The Golden Spiral

The Phi Grid

Phi Grid  A grid similar to the Rule of Thirds but instead has the ratio of 1: 0.618: 1 rather than 1:1:1. The intersecting lines are much tighter and closer which add interest and detail to the center of the frame.

The Golden or Fibonacci Spiral  This ratio is used to create a series of squares of which a series of diagonal points on each square creates a spiral that flows through the frame.

 A simple way to remember the golden spiral when composing a photograph is to visualize a small rectangle from one corner of your frame (where your eyes would start).  Bisect it from corner to corner  Then imagine a spiral leading from your main focal point to the rest of the frame.

3. Rule of Odds  When using more than one subject or objects, an image will be more pleasing and interesting when there is an odd number of subjects/objects.  (ie. A photo will be more interesting with 5 flowers rather than 4 or 6)  This rule does not apply to large numbers

4. Leading Lines  Our eyes are naturally drawn to lines.  The way you include lines in your composition can affect the way you view the image.  Lines have the ability to pull you into the picture, towards the subject, or on a through the picture as if on a journey.

4. Symmetry & Pattern  Can by man-made or natural  It can add interest to a composition  Breaking a pattern or symmetry can also add interest to a photo

6. Find the Right Angle  Before photographing your subject, take time to think about where you will shoot it from. The angle you choose has a great impact on the composition of our photo, and as a result it can greatly affect the message that the shot conveys. Rather than just shooting from eye level, consider shooting from high above, down at ground level, from the side, from the back, from far way away, from very close up, and so on.

7. Consider the Background  Have you taken what you thought would be a great shot, only to find that the final image looks strange because the subject blends into the background?

 The human eye is excellent at distinguishing between different elements in a scene, whereas a camera has a tendency to flatten the foreground and background, and this can often ruin an otherwise great photo. Look around for a plain and unobtrusive background and compose your shot so that it doesn't distract or detract from the subject.

8. Depth  Include objects/subjects in the foreground, middle ground, and background  The human eye will recognize layers when objects are obscured….this creates more depth

9. Framing  By using natural objects such as trees, archways, and holes to frame your subject  Natural framing can help isolate the main subject from other elements in the picture  This allows a more focused image which draws your eye naturally to the main point of interest

10. Cropping  Cropping when necessary allows you to eliminate the background or noise, drawing more attention to the subject.

11. Fill your Frame  Knowing when to fill your frame with your subject is important. Do not get this confused with crowding the frame. You want to crop out distracting elements rather than photograph your subjects in a constricted box. You will fill the frame according to how important the subject is.

12. Leaving Space  This rule combines the ideas of implied movement and room to move. This idea simply states that if your subject is moving you also show the space or some of the space that the subject is moving to.