1 Composition The ‘Rules’ of Composition

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

3 In this presentation we are going to look at some of the most important ‘rules’ or conventions of composition: Eliminate Distractions Avoid Mergers Rule of Thirds Rule of Even & Odd Rule of Triangles Use of Space Simplification Symmetry Pattern & Repetition Juxtaposition Framing & Cropping Aspect Ratio The Gaze Learning ‘rules’ about art can seem stifling or constricting – if all artists just follow a set of rules then their art would look very similar and become very boring! Many original artists manage to break or ‘bend’ these rules or conventions, but to do so successfully they first had to fully understand the rules and conventions.

4 Eliminate Distractions It’s easy to see the problem here! Filtering phenomenon - Through the process of paying attention, we filter out unnecessary information. When we pay attention to something, it means we ignore everything else around. Basketball study Photographers often fall victim to this same phenomenon. For example, when we are taking a picture of our friend, our attention is focused on them. We fail to notice that there's a tree "growing" out from behind their head, and that someone else's elbow is intruding into the picture space.

5 Avoid Mergers Mergers = Overlaps If the overlap is slight, it can actually be distracting. Try to adjust your position to separate all the objects in the frame, or wait for them to move into a better position.

6 Mergers can also happen with the edge of the picture frame. If just a little bit of your subject is cut off at the edge of the frame, it is distracting because we immediately want to see the missing bit. The positioning looks (and usually is) accidental. Avoid Mergers Mergers = Overlaps

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

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

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10 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 1/3 rd bisectors.

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

13 Fay Godwin Landscape photography often has the horizon line on or near one of the two horizontal lines

14 The Rule of Even and Odd Norman Parkinson Dianne Arbus An even number of ‘things’ in an image can sometimes create a feeling of tension or a slightly un-natural look. … while an odd number of ‘things’ can often create a feeling of harmony or balance

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

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

17 Rule of Triangles Triangles have 3 sides and tend to form stable, solid looking compositions.

18 Victorian Family Portraits Can you spot any triangles? Why were triangular compositions often used for family portraits?

19 Victorian Family Portraits Think about what the triangle connotes …. …….stability & solidity

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

21 Use of Space The empty space in the right-hand image creates a more contemplative or thoughtful feel to it. Nadar

22 Swimmers diving into the water (shot from beneath the water, looking upwards). Space can also help create an impression of movement In this image there is not much unfilled space

23 The swimmers now appear to be moving into the empty space ahead of them, helping to create an impression or feeling of movement.

24 Simplification ↓ Focus on one element of art How does Rembrandt draw our attention into the face? Rembrandt, Self Portrait.

25 Simplification ANSWER: 1.Lighting - the face has more light on it than other areas. 2.The brush-strokes are finer and more detailed in the facial area but become broader and less detailed for other areas. 3.Vignette – the painting becomes darker towards the edges. 4.Use of colour – dark ‘drab’ colours except for the face.

26 What technique has the photographer used to simplify this image? Chris Monaghan

27 Is this picture ‘simplified’ ? If not, why not … and so what might the photographer Joel Meyerowitz be saying about life in the modern city?

28 Symmetry In this photograph the building seems to be ‘balanced’ by the white cloud. The line of symmetry runs from the bottom left to top right corner. Chris Monaghan

29 Symmetry Line of symmetry Chris Monaghan

30 Norman Parkinson Where is the line of symmetry in this image?

31 Norman Parkinson Note: unlike in mathematics where perfect symmetry can be found, in art symmetry is often an approximation.

32 Chris Monaghan Does this image exhibit any symmetry? When something has no symmetry we say that it is asymmetrical

33 David Seymour (Chim) How does being asymmetrical (not symmetrical) help or add to the viewing experience and meaning of this image?

34 Answer: War is chaotic & random – death can come at any moment and does not follow beautiful aesthetic rules of composition. The asymmetry of the image helps to convey this.

35 Repetition & Pattern Jackson Pollock

36 When something is repeated, it can create a visual pattern. Paul Strand Edward Weston

37 Andreas GurskyPaul Strand Pattern can be used to suggest texture, or can produce an abstract visual experience.

38 Juxtaposition Juxtaposition is the placing of things close to one another in order to emphasize their difference.

39 Juxtaposition What is the major difference being emphasized here? Robert Frank

40 Framing & Cropping Togetherness Chris Monaghan When you take (or make) a photograph you determine the composition by choosing the camera viewpoint and what to include (and what not to include) within the frame.

41 Framing & Cropping Loneliness This is the same photograph as the previous image but with a different crop, produced in post-production.

42 Aspect Ratio (the ‘shape’ of an image) Chris Monaghan The aspect ratio of an image is the ratio of image length to width. Example: 6:4 for 6 inch by 4 inch prints (which also equals 3:2)

43 Images in which the subject looks directly at the viewer can have a powerful or disconcerting effect. Richard AvedonAugust Sander The Gaze When we look hard at someone else our gaze can sometimes be interpreted as if we are saying “I am the powerful one here”. We also tend to follow the gaze of others.

44 Summary Eliminate Distractions Avoid Mergers Rule of Thirds Rule of Even & Odd Rule of Triangles Use of Space Simplification Symmetry Pattern & Repetition Juxtaposition Framing & Cropping Aspect Ratio The Gaze

45 Assignment Chose a focus or theme – Think person, place or thing Your final project will be a series of 6 photographs highlighting your focus/theme. The 6 photographs should demonstrate understanding of the composition ideas we discussed.