1. Photographic Compositions
Mergers

2. Mergers Mergers are when two objects overlap one another.
Photographers try to avoid mergers most of the time.

3. Mergers
The photography composition below illustrates an extreme merger where the two horses heads overlap. The result looks like a strange beast!

4. Mergers
If the overlap is slight, it can actually be distracting.
Which photo is an example of merging? The one on the left or the right?
The photo on the left is an example of merging. Why is a tree growing out of this man’s head?

5. Mergers
Try to adjust your camera angle to separate all the objects in the frame, or wait for them to move into a better position.

6. Mergers
Mergers can also be created when a subject and the background have similar colors like the red ball and the red background in this picture.
This is known as a Tone Merger.

7. Mergers
If you detect a merger, move to your left, right, or get higher or lower.
More often than not, it will eliminate the distraction in the background or foreground.

8. Mergers
What are some of the things that were done to the photo on the right to eliminate the tone merger in the photo on the left?
Using a low angle.
Changing the prop.
Moving the Frisbee far enough away from the face to avoid another near merger.

9. Mergers
It seems simple, but moving your models into the right position is another way to avoid mergers.

10. Mergers & Cropping
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, we call that an accidental merger.
It is distracting because we immediately want to see the missing bit.
If you want to cut part of your subject out of the frame, make it look deliberate, and cut a lot out.
A merger with the edge looks accidental and can be distracting.
Try to photograph the entire flower. Or crop it more to make it look like it was done on purpose.

11. Mergers The busy background on the left camouflages the seagull.
Just change your point of view slightly and your seagull stands with visual prominence against the blue sky.

12. Examples of Mergers in Photography

13. Examples of Mergers in Photography

14. Examples of Mergers in Photography

15. Examples of Mergers in Photography

16. Examples of Mergers in Photography

17. Examples of Mergers in Photography

18. Examples of Mergers in Photography

19. Examples of Mergers in Photography

20. Your Assignment…
Take 3 sets of pairs of photos each that demonstrate merging and a correction of the merger.
Upload 6 photos
DO NOT disturb any classroom activities
Finish and crop the images in Photoshop as needed.
Manipulate the brightness, contrast, colors, levels, etc.
Create compositions that use unique thought and creativity.
SAVE AS: Merger 1,2,3
and Merger Correction 1,2,3