1. Week Four – DACC Basic Photography
Photo Composition
Week Four – DACC Basic Photography

2. What Makes a Good Photo?

3. Some of the basic theories (some say rules)
Composition
Some of the basic theories (some say rules)

4. Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is based on the fact that the human eye is naturally drawn to a point about two-thirds up (or down) a page.

5. Rule of Thirds - examples

6. Thirds – cont.

7. Golden Rule (of Thirds)
It has been found that certain points in a picture's composition automatically attract the viewer's attention.
Similarly, many natural or man-made objects and scenes with certain proportions (whether by chance or by design) automatically please us.
Leonardo da Vinci investigated the principle that underlies our notions of beauty and harmony and called it the Golden Section.

8. Creating Balance
Many times, a smaller object can counter balance a larger object within a composition

9. Examples of Balance

10. More Balance

11. Framing the subject
Use the edge of the scene to draw attention to the subject.

12. Examples of Framing the Subject

13. More Framing

14. Provide a path through your image
Give the viewer a way to start viewing your photo, and then through composition, their eyes are drawn through your photo.

15. Bring Viewer through your photo

16. More examples

17. Work in Diagonals
One side of the picture is divided into two. Then place a corridor along this dividing line. According to the Diagonal Rule, important elements of the picture should be placed along these diagonals.

18. Diagonals

19. Repetitiveness
Photographing things that show repetition usually makes for interesting photographs

20. Repetitive Photos

21. Use your own ideas
Don't be afraid of breaking rules! As Edward Weston said, "Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk."

22. The Masters of Photography
You Decide

23. Ansel Adams Photographer of the Natural West Large Format Photographer
Member of the f-64 group
Take a look at his photos

24. Edward Weston Large Format Photographer Member of f-64 group
Photographed set-up shots and the natural scene
The Family has carried on the tradition
Check out some of his photos

25. Dorothea Lange Documentary Photography Photojournalism
One of first artists working for FSA
Check out some of her photos

26. Richard Avedon Fashion Photographer
Have you seen the movie “Funny Girl”
Large formats, exotic sets
Check out his pictures

27. Art Sinsabaugh Studied at Art Institute of Chicago
Founded the U of I’s photography department
Specialized in panoramic “Circuit Camera” Photography
Check out his photographs

28. Life Magazine Photographers
Brought History and current events through photos to the public
Check out some of their photos

29. Other Photographers of Note
Anne Geddes
Annie Leibovitz
Henri Cartier-Bresson
W. Eugene Smith
Diane Arbus
Harry Callahan
The last can go on…
Paul Strand
Edward Steichen
Andre Kertesz
Robert Maplethorpe
Alfred Steigletz
Imogene Cunningham
Jerry Uelsmann
Walker Evans
Leon Kemmener
Marty Zucker

30. Friends and Colleagues
Bruce Huff
Dick Cunningham
Clark Brooks
Chuck Cannady
Lou McClellan
Larry Kanfer
And Former Students:
Becky Brown
Mike List
Rhonda Conrad
Pop Bowman*
Dallas Bowman*
Dale Dowers*
John Milewski*
Matt Huber
Orvil Stokes*
Rich Stefaniak
Wilmer Zehr
Rick Danzel