1. Visual Literacy Concepts
Photographic Composition

2. Make the photograph interesting
Composition
Balance
Subject Placement
Pattern
Tone
Light
Direction
Quality

3. Composition is the arrangement of items in an image
where the subject is, in relation to the borders of the image
the key to successful images

4. Composition is Balance Balance Subject Placement Pattern Symmetry
Asymmetry
Subject Placement
Leading Lines
Framing
Rule of Thirds
Pattern
Radial Design
Repetition
Balance

5. Make the photograph interesting
Be Sure to Balance
Symmetrical
Asymmetrical

6. Balance
Equality of the left & right sides of the image

7. Balance Symmetry Asymmetry
Both sides of an imaginary central line are the same
Asymmetry
Both sides of an imaginary central line ARE NOT the same

8. Symmetry Both sides of an imaginary central line are the same
Karl Blossfeldt

9. Asymmetry Both sides of an imaginary central line ARE NOT the same
Karl Blossfeldt

10. Symmetry Both sides of an imaginary central line are the same
Diane Arbus

11. Asymmetry Both sides of an imaginary central line ARE NOT the same
Diane Arbus

12. Symmetry Both sides of an imaginary central line are the same
Walker Evans

13. Asymmetry Both sides of an imaginary central line ARE NOT the same
Walker Evans

14. Which? Symmetry or Asymmetry?
Both sides of an imaginary central line ARE NOT the same
Asymmetry
Ansel Adams

15. Which? Symmetry or Asymmetry?
Both sides of an imaginary central line ARE NOT the same
Asymmetry
Bill Brandt

16. Which? Symmetry or Asymmetry?
Both sides of an imaginary central line ARE NOT the same
Asymmetry
Jerry Uelsmann

17. Balance Equality of the left & right sides of the image
Symmetrical Balance -
Both sides of an imaginary
central line are the same
Asymmetrical Balance -
Both sides of an imaginary
central line ARE NOT the
same

18. Make the photograph interesting
Draw Attention to Your Subject
Leading Lines
Leading Lines
Framing
Rule of Thirds

19. Draw Attention to Your Subject
Leading Lines
Lines that lead in a path to the subject
Ansel Adams

20. Leading Lines
Lines that lead in a path to the subject
Lewis Hine

21. Leading Lines
Lines that lead in a path to the subject
Dorothea Lange

22. Make the photograph interesting
Draw Attention to Your Subject
Leading Lines
Framing
Rule of Thirds
Framing

23. Draw attention to the subject
Framing
Objects within the borders of the image frame the subject
Arnold Newman

24. Framing Objects within the borders of the image frame the subject
Manuel Alvarez-Bravo

25. Framing Objects within the borders of the image frame the subject
Anne Geddes

26. Make the photograph interesting
Draw Attention to Your Subject
Leading Lines
Framing
Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds

27. Rule of Thirds
Place the subject in a junction of an imaginary “tic-tac-toe” grid over the image.

28. Rule of Thirds
Place the subject in a junction of an imaginary “tic-tac-toe” grid over the image.
Dorothea Lange

29. Rule of Thirds
Place the subject in a junction of an imaginary “tic-tac-toe” grid over the image.
Imogen Cunningham

30. Rule of Thirds
Place the subject in a junction of an imaginary “tic-tac-toe” grid over the image.
Steve Ludlum

31. Make the photograph interesting
Look for patterns
Radial Design
Repetition
Radial Design

32. Radial Design
Objects, shapes, lines, and/or colors radiate out from a central point in a circular pattern.
Alfred Eisenstaedt

33. Radial Design
Objects, shapes, lines, and/or colors radiate out from a central point in a circular pattern.
James Nachtwey

34. Make the photograph interesting
Look for patterns
Radial Design
Repetition
Repetition

35. Repetition
Same shape, line, pattern, and/or color is repeated throughout the image.
Harry Callahan

36. Repetition
Same shape, line, pattern, and/or color is repeated throughout the image.
Margaret Bourke-White

37. Elements of Composition
Draw Attention to Your Subject
Convey a Clear Message
Make Your Photograph Interesting

38. Elements of Composition
Balance
Symmetry
Asymmetry
Subject Placement
Leading Lines
Framing
Rule of Thirds
Pattern
Radial Design
Repetition