1. What makes a GREAT photograph?
Composition is Key
What makes a GREAT photograph?

2. Composition placement or arrangement of visual elements in art
organization of the elements of art according to the principles of design
means 'putting together' and can apply to any work
helps achieve a sense of unity within an artwork work of art is said to be aesthetically pleasing if the elements within the work are arranged in a balanced compositional way

3. In every photograph you take…
you decide where the boundaries of that photo will be (cropping)
you choose the viewpoint or perspective
you move or rearrange people or objects
you move yourself and decide where to place point of interest

4. Good vs. Bad?
biggest difference between a good photograph and a mediocre one is the composition
what one person finds pleasing, someone else will not – composition is largely a matter of personal taste, so technically there is no right or wrong composition…

5. Good vs. Bad?
a photograph that communicates its message (says what you want it to say, says it clearly, and interests its viewer) – is an effective composition
how you arrange a scene in your camera will determine the effectiveness of your picture and contribute to how well the message is conveyed
there is more to good composition than the placement of elements, but that is where we start

6. Compositional rule in the visual arts
Rule of Thirds
Compositional rule in the visual arts
image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines
important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections
aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would

7. Rule of Thirds Examples

8. Rule of Thirds Examples

9. Rule of Thirds Examples

12. Consider… What are the points of interest in this shot?
Breaking the rule can result in some striking shots… once you’ve learned it, experiment with purposely breaking it to see what you discover.
Keep the rule of thirds in mind as you edit your photos later on… cropping and reframing images so that they fit within the rules.
Where am I intentionally placing my points of interest?

13. Practice
3. With a ruler, measure the sides and divide by 3, drawing lines with a Sharpie to create a square grid.
2. Cut out 3 pictures that the composition uses the Rule of Thirds successfully.
1. Choose a magazine to find photographs you might like.
Sketchbook DUE:
Finish your Rule of Thirds Sketchbook assignment by the end of class!
** Worth 10 points **
5. Glue your images into your sketchbook.
4. Repeat this for all 3 images.

14. 40 pictures (on Camera or Memory Card) DUE:
Practice
Homework:
Take 40 pictures experimenting with Rule of Thirds. Take pictures of anything you’d like… go for a walk around the house or go outside
40 pictures (on Camera or Memory Card) DUE:
Monday, 9/14
Tips:
Try taking pictures of the same subject and compose using the Rule of Thirds and going against it.

15. Finish your Rule of Thirds Brainstorming assignment by
1. List 5 different things you can photograph for the Rule of Thirds assignment, and include what the focal point is.
2. For EACH, list two different backgrounds that could be part of your photographs.
3. For EACH, draw two different thumbnails showing where you will place your focal point.
Brainstorming DUE:
Finish your Rule of Thirds Brainstorming assignment by
The end of class!
** Worth 50 points **

16. DON’T have a boring or unattractive background – “dead space”.
Do & Don’t
DO make sure the background or “negative space” is visually interesting.
DON’T have a boring or unattractive background – “dead space”.

17. DO leave some space around your focal point – watch your framing.
Do & Don’t
DO leave some space around your focal point – watch your framing.
DON’T overcompensate by putting your point of interest too close to the edge of the frame.