1. Definition: The arrangement of elements within a frame
COMPOSITION
Definition: The arrangement of elements within a frame
Three Parts To a Picture
Subject (Center Of Interest)
The Main Focus of the picture
Message
Treatment of The Subject
Composition Techniques

2. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Rule of Thirds
The Subject of the Photograph should be off center in the frame

3. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition

5. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Rule of Thirds
Horizon Rule
Horizon Line should be placed in the top or bottom third of the frame

6. Horizon Rule – Top or Bottom 3rd

7. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Background
Always be aware of your background. It should never interfere with your subject and your message

8. Background
Background interferes, competing with the subject for attention.
Background complements and strengthens the subject.

9. The “Aperture” is the camera control that directly affects background focus, which we call “Depth of Field”

10. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Background
Avoid Mergers.
Because photos are 2 Dimensional, objects directly behind other objects in the frame can appear to “merge” together.

12. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Balance
Always try to achieve a sense of Balance in the shot

13. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Balance
Two kinds of balance:
Symmetrical Balance (equal)
Asymmetrical Balance (unequal)

14. Balance
Asymmetrical Balance
Asymmetrical Balance
Symmetrical Balance

15. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Lines
Lines can psychologically “charge” your image. We react differently to different kinds of lines

16. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Lines
Horizontal and Curved Lines create a sense of calm or peace
Diagonal or Vertical lines create a sense of tension

17. Curves create peacefulness or a sense of calm, as opposed to the tension that diagonals can create

18. Lines, Shapes, Repetition, Pattern
Pay attention to what Lines can do to create shapes, repetition, and patterns in a photo. All of these also add interest to a composition

19. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Lines
Leading Lines unconsciously lead the viewer’s eye to the vanishing point. Photographers will often place the subject of the shot at the vanishing point so the eye is forced to focus there

21. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Perspective
The Perspective is the angle of view of the photo. Like lines, angles can psychologically affect the viewer (besides just making a shot more interesting generally)

22. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Perspective
A High Angle gives the subject a feeling of weakness or inferiority
A Low Angle gives the subject a feeling of strength or dominance

23. Inferiority or Weakness
High Angle
Low Angle
Inferiority or Weakness
Dominance or Strength

24. Perspective (angle of view)

25. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Framing
Using objects in the Foreground to naturally “frame” your subject

26. Framing is used to add interest to a photograph and to add a 3 Dimensional feel to the shot

28. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Motion
Motion is directly controlled by the camera’s shutter speed

29. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Motion
Fast shutter speeds “freeze” motion
Slow shutter speeds “blur” motion

31. Motion
Motion Freeze
Motion Blur

32. Rule of Motion
Movement should be placed in the frame so it is coming into, not leaving, frame.

33. As with most everything, there are exceptions to the rule.
Rule of Motion
As with most everything, there are exceptions to the rule.
In this case, because the shot includes visual elements that work directly with the subject (the lines connecting the person in the background to the lines from the subject’s action), framing the shot as seen is ok

34. COMPOSITION Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
Light
Light is perhaps the most important element in photography as everything depends on it
Things to Remember:
Light source should be behind the photographer
Overhead Light is harsh and flat (best time to take photos is morning or evening)
Direct Flash is harsh and flat and can ‘blow out’ details
Try to use bounce, reflected, or diffused light

35. Light
MOTION BLUR using a Slow Shutter Speed at Night

36. Light Light Trails from stars using a long shutter speed
(“B” or Bulb Setting)

37. Light
Position of the light source creates different effects such as silhouette from back lighting as above or dramatic shadows from side lighting as to the right