Elements of Composition
Angle of view Bird’s eye view – high Worm’s eye view – low
bird’s eye view
worm’s eye view
Leading lines/looks - Imaginary or real lines lead the reader to the subject and heighten content interest
leading lines - imaginary
diagonal lines – create energy and action
horizontal lines – create rest and quiet
vertical lines – create height and stability
Straight Lines = Dignity, Strength
Curved Lines = Grace, Beauty
curved lines – create grace and beauty
Selective focus - Subject(s) are in focus while background and/or foreground are blurred
selective focus – background blurred
selective focus – foreground blurred
Repetition - Repetition or patterns of people, expressions or surroundings lead viewers to the CVI
Composition Rule of thirds - Subject is divided into thirds vertically and horizontally Subject is placed on one of the intersecting lines or hot spots
rule of thirds // subject placed on hot spot
(TICK-TACK-TOE)
Silhouettes Subject appears black because light source is behind subject and not the photographer
Frame central subject matter – What is central to your shot? – Use objects to frame your shot – Framing to is used to isolate your subject
Avoid Mergers – Dimensional mergers Light post out of subjects head – Border mergers Subject cut off by frame, Car shot, but can’t see wheels
Dimensional Mergers
Border Mergers
What is Wrong with These Photos? photo no-no’s: what is wrong with these pictures?