1. Composition The Art of Seeing Images
Arrangement of elements
Relationship of elements

2. Part Two Visual Elements

3. Visual Elements
Typical Visual Elements include:
Lines
Shapes
The Spot

4. Visual Elements Line: denote movement in one direction Horizontals
Verticals
Parallel Verticals/Horizontals
Curved or S-shaped lines
Diagonals
Irregulars

5. Linear elements
Diagonal lines are dynamic; curved lines are flowing and graceful
such as roads, waterways, a fence and shadows
You can often find the right line by moving around and choosing an appropriate angle
natural lines of the scene lead the viewers' eyes into the picture and toward your main center of interest

6. Function of Lines Lines help the viewer to read the image
Help viewer to locate key contrasts
Add visual interest
Guide the viewer in a certain direction

7. HORIZONTALS
Add stability to photo, imply COOL or RESTFUL

8. Parallel Vert. / Horz. Lines
Suggest: Symmetry, Order, or Direction

9. Parallel Vert. / Horz. Lines

10. Verticals Can suggest WARMTH or AGGRESSIVENESS
Intersection of vertical and horizontal lines create FOCAL POINTS

11. Verticals

12. Curved or S-Shaped Lines
Most Natural appearing, evoke natural rhythms, and feelings of slow, easy movement

13. Curved or S-Shaped Lines

14. Diagonals Neither warm or cool
Most naturally occur from Lower Left to Upper Right
Falling Diagonals move Down and Off picture

15. Diagonals

16. Irregular Lines Varying size, thickness, shape, & texture
Provides visual interest

17. Irregular Lines

18. SHAPES Five basic forms or SHAPES in photography Squares Triangles
Circles
Oblongs
Irregular

19. Squares & Triangles

20. Squares

21. Circles & Oblongs

22. Circles & Oblongs

23. Circles & Oblongs

24. Contrast
more impact
light subject placed against a dark background and vice versa
Contrasting colors

25. Contrast & The Spot One “spot” that commands the viewer’s attention
Focal point of contrasting masses

26. The Spot

27. Other Compositional Tools
Lines of Direction
Actual & Psychological
Directs movement of eye through image
Shape & Form
Shape is flat, two-dimensional
Repeated shapes can form a shape
Form refers to volume, its 3-D
Depth—Lines of Perspective
Parallel lines converge in distance
Gives sense of depth to photo

28. Direction of movement leave space in front of the subject
it appears to be moving into, rather than out of, the image

29. Lines of Direction

30. Shape & Form

31. Repeated Shape

32. Repeated Shape

33. Form, Shadow, & Light
Shadows coming towards the viewer implies the “third” dimension

34. Depth: Lines of Perspective

35. Depth: Lines of Perspective

36. Rule of Thirds One of the most popular 'rules' in photography and art
principle taught in fine art, graphic design and photography
based on the theory that the eye goes naturally to a point about two-thirds up the page
achieve the informal or asymmetric balance mentioned above

37. Rule of Thirds
Imaginary lines are drawn dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically
important elements placed where these lines intersect
also arrange areas into bands occupying a third or place things along the imaginary lines
simple to implement

38. Rule of Thirds The Greeks developed the concept of the “Golden Mean”
Divide the image into grid of 1/3s
Place subject at one of intersecting lines

39. Rule of Thirds or Golden Mean

40. Some Examples

41. Some Examples

42. Some Examples

43. Rule of Thirds
Common example is the placement of the horizon line in landscape photography

44. If the area of interest is land or water
Horizon line will usually be two- thirds up from the bottom
To suggest closeness, position the horizon high in your picture

45. If the sky is the area of emphasis
Horizon line may be one-third up from the bottom, leaving the sky to occupy the top two-thirds
To accent spaciousness, keep the horizon low in the picture

46. Breaking the Rule of Thirds
Once you have got the hang of the Rule of Thirds
you will very quickly want to break it
This is fine
'rules' are best used as guidelines
if you can create a better image by bending or ignoring rules then fire away

47. Breaking the Rule of Thirds

48. Framing - Foreground objects
Add a sense of depth to the picture
helps establish scale
use the foreground elements to "frame" your subject
Overhanging tree branches, a doorway, or an arch can give a picture the depth
something in the foreground that leads you into the picture or gives you a sense of where the viewer is

49. Framing - Foreground objects

50. Framing - Foreground objects

51. Framing - Foreground objects

52. Framing Don't forget that you can turn cameras sideways
vertical for tall buildings, waterfalls, or a person
horizontal for groups of people, cars, and dachshunds
Switch it around
Try both horizontal and vertical pictures of the same subject

53. Framing the Image
In-camera:
Horizontal
Vertical

54. Framing the Image
Out-of-Camera:

55. Concludes Composition
References:
Photography, 7th Ed., by London, Upton, Kobre, Brill
Photography, 2nd Ed., by Bruce Warren
Foundations of art & design, 3rd Ed., by Mark Galer