1. Principles of Composition
Balance
Unity
Variety
Rhythm/ Movement/Pattern
Emphasis
Proportion
Power-point by: Bria Johnson

2. What Exactly is Composition?
Composition is the arrangement & relationship of the elements of arts & principles of art in an image.

3. REMEMBER! Elements are the building blocks of composition.
Principles are the plans/ideas for arranging the elements.

4. Principle #1: Balance/Rule of Thirds
Balance refers to the ways in which the elements (lines, shapes, colors, textures, etc.) of a photo are arranged,
Rule of thirds: photos are divided into thirds with two imaginary lines vertically and two lines horizontally making nine sections in the image.

5. Examples of Balance in a Photo
Garry Winogrand 1950s
(shows rule of thirds)
Lothar Wolleh Guard Stockholm, 1965

6. Principle #2: Unity
when all of the elements in a photo combine to make a balanced, harmonious, complete whole.

7. Examples of Unity In a Photo
Margaret Bourke-White Diversion Tunnels, Fort Peck Dam 1936
Margaret Bourke-White Bread Line during the Louisville flood, Kentucky 1937

8. Principle #3: Variety
a way of combining elements in involved ways to achieve detailed and complex relationships.

9. Examples of Variety in a Photo
Irving Penn After-dinner Games New York, 1947
Irving Penn Salad Ingredients New York, 1947

10. Principle #4: Repetition/ Pattern
Repeating visual elements such as line, color, shape, texture, value or image tends to unify the total effect of a work of art as well as create rhythm.

11. Examples of Repetition/Pattern in a Photo
Tina Modotti Campesinos 1926
Margaret Bourke-White Fort Peck Dam 1936

12. Principle #5: Emphasis
Highlighting/focusing on some aspect of a scene, subject, or object in a photo.

13. Examples of Emphasis in a Photo
Josef Koudelka Czechoslovakia 1968
John Gutmann Strange Visitors 1934

14. Principle #5: Proportion
refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in photo. The issue is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a photo.

15. Examples of Proportion in a Photo
Tina Modotti Woman with olla 1926
Eugene Atget Versailles 1905

16. Principle #6 Contrast
Contrast is the difference between the lights and darks of an image. The greater the difference between lights and darks, the higher the contrast.

17. Examples of Contrast in a photo
William Klein Candy Store, Amsterdam Avenue New York
William Klein Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Broadway

18. These are the Principles of Composition