COMPOSITION A guide to understanding and creating composition in Photography. Images left to right: McCurry, Lang, Cunningham, Ebbets, Annonymous

WHAT IS COMPOSITION? The organization of the elements of design in a photograph, following certain principles of design (e.g. balance of positive and negative spaces; variety of shapes, textures, and values; off-centre placement of the focal point; division of the area into several areas of interest; overlapping of objects of various sizes; placement) Rule of thirds Compositional triangles/triangular Symmetrical Asymmetrical L-shaped Diagonal Radiating Negative & Positive Space

RULE OF THIRDS A compositional rule of thumb that advocates dividing an image space into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and positioning important elements in the composition at or near the imagined dividing lines or near the points at which the lines would intersect. The rationale is that the use of off-centre rather than centered elements gives tension, energy, and interest to the composition.

RULE OF THIRDS: AN EXAMPLE… Sally Mann, Candy Cigarette The focal point/subje ct is off- centre (left)

Rule of thirds.

Malcolm Browne, Buddist Monk on Fire

COMPOSITIONAL TRIANGLES A compositional rule of thumb that advocates a triangular arrangement of objects and/or subjects in an image. These 3 objects are required to form the points of the triangle, and the sides of the triangle are formed by imaginary, diagonal lines that join the triangle points. The rationale is that the viewer’s eye is led in different directions, moving back and forth, creating interest.

COMPOSITIONAL TRIANGLES: AN EXAMPLE… Jeff Wall, Dead Troops Talk The figure’s head forms the top peak of the triangle. The bodies form the base of the triangle.

Triangular Composition Joe Rosenthal, Raising of the Flag

Triangular Composition

Dorothea Lang, The Migrant Mother

SYMMETRICAL COMPOSITION A compositional rule of thumb that advocates similar parts facing each other around a vertical or horizontal axis, often equal in size, shape, and position. The rationale is that the viewer’s eye is led to the centre point, creating balance and movement.

SYMMETRICAL COMPOSITION: AN EXAMPLE… Ansel Adams, Road, Nevada Desert

Symmetrical Composition

Immogen Cunningham, Two Callas

ASYMMETRICAL COMPOSITION A compositional rule of thumb that advocates unequal parts facing each other around a vertical or horizontal axis, often different in size, shape, and position. The rationale is that the viewer’s eye shifts from one side to the other, creating unbalance and dynamic energy.

ASYMMETRICAL COMPOSITION: AN EXAMPLE… Robert Frank, Rodeo More visual weight on the left side

Asymmetrical Composition Lewis Hine, Building Rubber Doll Moulds

Asymmetrical Composition Steve McCurry, Afghan Girl

L-SHAPED COMPOSITION A compositional rule of thumb that advocates the arrangement of objects and/or subjects (the positive space) in an “L” shape. The leftover space (the negative space) contains that which is less significant. Contrast, value, and texture can also create an “L” shape. The rationale is that the viewer’s eye moves along the “L”, up/down/across, creating movement and interest.

L-SHAPED COMPOSITION: AN EXAMPLE… Rose Barton, Piccadilly in June, 19 th -20 th century Forming the “L” shape: The building & figure on the left The sky forms the ‘negative space’ The road/traffic on the bottom right

L – SHAPED COMPOSITION Timothy O’Sullivan, ShoShone Snake River

DIAGONAL COMPOSITION A compositional rule of thumb that advocates a diagonal arrangement of objects and/or subjects in a work of art. Objects are positioned on or around a diagonal axis, formed by one diagonal line or multiple (like a ‘zig-zag’). The rationale is that the viewer’s eye moves dynamically across the piece in different directions, creating energy and tension.

DIAGONAL COMPOSITION: AN EXAMPLE… Ansel Adams, The Tetons & Snake River The river provides a “Z” curve that leads the eye through the photograph

Diagonal Composition Jeff Wall, The Storytellers

Diagonal Composition

RADIATING COMPOSITION A compositional rule of thumb that advocates a radiating/circular arrangement of objects and/or subjects in an image. These objects are required to spread from a central point, and move outward in all directions. The rationale is that the viewer’s eye moves outward in and inward from all directions, creating expansion, compression, and continuous movement.

RADIATING COMPOSITION: AN EXAMPLE… The petals move outward, in different directions, from the centre of the flower Immogen Cunningham, Magnolia Blooms

Radiating Composition

NEGATIVE/POSITIVE COMPOSITION A compositional rule of thumb that advocates an emphasis on the relationship between the area surrounding an object/subject (negative space ) and the object/subject (positive space). The composition can be in two-tone/black & white or colour. Objects on the same focal plane are not considered negative space. The rationale is that the negative space will draw attention to the positive space, creating emphasis and interest.

NEGATIVE/POSITIVE COMPOSITION: AN EXAMPLE… Imogen Cunningham, Flowering Cactus, 1930 The velvety- black space (negative space) draws attention to the white flower (positive space)

Negative/Positive Composition

Game Rules: 1)Two teams will form and create a team name 2)Each team will select a representative to compete (one at a time, everyone will/can participate) *The rep may take 5-10sec to consult with team 3)The two opposing team reps will be shown an image 4)The first team rep to correctly name the compositional style wins! *To guess, the team rep must “buzz in” first. If the guess is incorrect, the opposing team rep can ‘steal’ the point with a correct guess How to win: -each time a compositional style is correctly guessed, that team is awarded ONE point -at the end of the game, the team with the highest number of points wins a prize! Special Notes: -healthy competition is welcome, but negative comments will result in a ½ point deduction from the team’s score

PHOTOGRAPHY - KODAK TOP TEN TIPS: s_Projects_Exchange/Learn/Top_10_Tips_for_Gre at_Pictures.htm ① Get down on their level ② Use a plain background ③ Use a flash outdoors ④ Move in close ⑤ Take some vertical pictures ⑥ Lock the focus ⑦ Move it from the middle ⑧ Know your flash’s range ⑨ Watch the light ⑩ Be a picture director

USING A VIEWFINDER What is a viewfinder? 1. “A frame used as a tool to select images, or to compose an image, by cropping out unwanted perimeters (edges).” Utilized in photography whereby a viewfinder on a camera frames what is to appear in the photograph Your viewfinder window will make/shape your composition Why use a viewfinder? A viewfinder can help you focus on a specific detail in an image, crop an image to create a new composition, or help you rearrange your current composition.