1. Photo Composition

2. Composition
The pleasing arrangement of subject matter elements within the picture area
Known as the “rules” of photography
Are known to work most of the time, but in some cases “rules” can be broken

3. Photo Composition Ones we have already covered: Filling the Frame
Lighting
Angles
Lines
Rule of Thirds

4. Photo Composition Ones we will be covering today: Simplicity
Negative Space
Active Space
Contrast
Mergers & Background

5. Simplicity Creating simple looking images
Easiest way to do this is by limiting the amount of objects in your photo
Select uncomplicated backgrounds
Avoid unrelated subjects
Move in close

6. What is the main subject?

7. What is the main subject?

8. What is the main subject?

9. Ways to Simplify?

10. Ways to Simplify?

11. Negative Space Is the empty space around your subject
Areas of a picture that contain “nothing” (negative space) are important visual elements that provide balance in an image
Can be very challenging
Like all situations in photography, some images will come more natural then others.

12. Negative Space

13. Negative Space

14. Negative Space

15. Negative Space

16. Negative Space

17. Negative Space

18. Active Space
The space in front of your “moving” subject or the space in the “eyesight” of your subject
Space behind your subject is called “dead space”
Use the Rule of Thirds to place your subject, but use “Active Space” to determine the placement

19. Active Space is this…

20. Not this….

21. Active Space is this….

22. Not this….

23. Active Space is this…

24. Active Space is this…

25. Which one is Active Space?

26. Which one is Active Space?

27. Active Space is this…

28. Active Space is this…

29. Contrast
The difference in the color and brightness of the objects in photos
Your eyes are naturally drawn to the light areas before the dark
For example, if you want to draw attention to a light colored subject, place it against a dark background, vice versa
Types of Contrast
Tonal Contrast- used in B&W photography
High- More defined B&W
Low- Blacks & White are less defined; More GREY!
Color Contrast
Color Wheel (Next Slide)
Includes High (very different colors) & Low contrast (very similar colors)
High Contrast- big difference between dark & light areas (see examples for better understanding)
Low Contrast- Subtle: small difference between dark & light areas (see examples for better understanding)

30. High & Low Contrast

31. High Contrast

32. Low Contrast

33. Contrast Color Wheel
The opposite color is one that compliments the other, resulting in a high-contrast photo. Using colors which are close to each other on the color wheel will create a low-contrast photo.

34. High & Low Color Contrast

35. Low Color Contrast

36. High Color Contrast

37. High Color Contrast

38. High & Low Contrast

39. Background & Mergers Mergers can happen…
The most overlooked part during the composing process of a photo
Mergers can happen…
Things that sprout from your subjects head or things that are placed very close to the subjects face.
The background should make your subject stand out and present it to best advantage
Blur Effects can separate your subject from the background

40. Mergers

41. Mergers

42. Mergers

43. Background

44. Background

45. Background