1. Simplicity
Composition

3. Keys Concepts for Keeping it Simple
Have a strong visual center of interest
(What is the picture about?)
Avoiding unrelated subjects
(if it is not central to theme take it out)
Select uncomplicated backgrounds
(nothing to busy in the background)

4. The How of Keeping it Simple
Fill the Frame/Viewfinder
Get in close! (probably the simplest way to make a snap-shot a photograph)
Move! (photography is an art of movement)
Move!
Try a different angle , walk around

5. What to shoot Fill the Frame/Viewfinder
Head shot not the whole head
Get in close! (probably the simplest way to make a snap-shot a photograph)
Natural object
Human made object
Move! (photography is an art of movement)
Move around an subject and take 10 shots
Try a different angle , walk around
Take a subject from several different angles

6. The Rule of Thirds
Composition

8. Keys Concepts for The Rule of Thirds
Four options for placing the center of interest
Generally, pictures with subjects directly in the center tend to be more static and less interesting
You should always consider the path of moving subjects

9. Keys Concepts for The Rule of Thirds
Placement of the horizon in your photos should follow the rule of thirds
It's also best to place verticals off center using the thirds rule
You should always consider the path of moving subjects in relation to the rule of thirds

10. The How of Thirds Think before you shoot! Move!
(look to see if the subject is positioned in one of the zones)
Move!
(try out several zones to see which becomes the most interesting composition)
Provide room around your subject for later cropping options

11. Rule of Third shots
A shot of someone lying down placed in the lower third and upper third
A shot of someone standing up placed in the right third and left third
An object shot so you can place in all positions
A subject moving into the frame and a subject moving out of the frame
A landscape shot using rule of thirds

12. Balance
Composition

14. Keys Concepts and Terms for Balance
symmetrical = mirror image (face)
asymmetrical = the two sides are not equal
radial = a circular (flower)
asymmetrical balance provides movement and causes the viewer’s eye to roam around the composition.
formal balance & Informal

15. The How of Good Balance
Look carefully around the viewfinder for shapes, colors, dark and light areas
Move around!
Look to nature it provides many excellent examples of balance
When arranging groups of people ensure good positioning for the type of balance sought

16. Shots for Balance symmetrical = mirror image face
asymmetrical = natural and human made
radial = flower
formal balance = small group of people
Informal = a person with several other objects or props to balance out the composition

17. Line (& Shape)
Composition

18. Line:
The direction of line makes a big difference on the composition of your work. in addition, it can affect the mood.
horizontal line: peaceful, quiet, calm (like the horizon)
vertical line: strong; suggests support, balance, poise
both horizontal and vertical create formal composition
diagonal line: suggests movement, excitement
contrasts with the vertical/horizontal lines of the edge of composition
direction of line slant can suggest up or down motion
curved line: graceful, restful
jagged line: anger, strong emotion, excitement

20. Keys Concepts for Line and Shape
horizontal line: peaceful, quiet, calm (like the horizon)
vertical line: strong; suggests support, balance, poise
both horizontal and vertical create formal composition
diagonal line: suggests movement, excitement
contrasts with the vertical/horizontal lines of the edge of composition direction of line slant can suggest up or down motion
curved line: graceful, restful
jagged line: anger, strong emotion, excitement

21. The How of Line
Start to become more aware of interesting lines in ordinary objects and landscapes
Look to the negative space between solids for line
Move!!!!
Look to nature for curved line
Shoot architectural facades from corners to capture diagonal lines and creates triangles
Shoot from high and low vantage points to create movement into the frame
Look for diagonal lines that lead into the frame

22. Line Shots
Take some shots with the camera on the ground of the track or lonely road
Shoot the four corners of the school or other building creating strong diagonal line
Shoot along a structure with an emphasis on line (bleachers)
Find a bicycle or other exposed structure and conduct a photographic study of line
Shoot line from a high and low vantage point (stairwell banisters)

23. Shape
Composition

24. Shape
A composition full of organic shapes tends to be more soothing and calming to the eye, it will evoke very different feelings than a composition full of geometric shapes
Moods and feelings are associated with both
The sudden inclusion of an organic shape among geometrics will create a center of interest.
During the renaissance, triangles were very popular. other styles have used or discarded the triangle as they saw fit. another implied shape was the “L shape”; compositions would imply the shape of an L to move the viewer’s eye down and across the page (or up and across).

26. Key Concepts of Shape:
moods and feelings are associated with shapes.
the sudden inclusion of an organic shape among geometrics will create center of interest. As will a sudden inclusion of a geometric shape among organic
during the renaissance, triangles were very popular (eye movement)
other styles have used or discarded the triangle as they saw fit. another implied shape was the “L shape”; compositions would imply the shape of an L to move the viewer’s eye down and across the page (or up and across)
keep in mind what is currently popular. look through the more cutting edge magazines for layout ideas and current colors, shapes, and styles.

27. The How of Using Shape
Start to become more aware of interesting shapes and lines in ordinary objects
Look to the negative space between solids for shape or line
Shoot with the light behind your subject to create a solitude (strong shape, less detail)
Take note of strong shadow forms
Shoot from a darker location out into a will lit location
Move!!!!
Shoot architectural facades from corners to capture diagonal lines and creates triangles
Take close ups of odd organic forms

28. Shot List for Shape
Shoot a subject from a dark recessed area out onto a well lighted area.
Use backlighting to create a strong silhouette shape with little detail
Take close ups shots of organic and geometric forms
Create a composition with a strong triangle form
Create a composition using shadow as the subject

29. Framing
Composition

30. What we mean is to frame the center of interest with objects in the foreground. This can give a picture the feeling of depth it needs to make it more than just another snapshot.

32. Keys Concepts for Framing
Framing adds depth to the photograph by providing a foreground element

33. The How of Framing Look for framing elements around the subject
Focus the camera on the main subject (literally and figuratively)
Increase your depth of field if main subject is far away
Keep the framing element uncluttered

34. The How of Framing
Do not clear the viewfinder of all elements have something get in the way
Move! (to a framing element)
Try a different angle , walk around,

35. Framing Shots A window framing shot Use a person as a framing element
Use a natural object as a framing element
Find a prop or moveable object to use as a framing element
Take a low angle shot using framing
Take a high angle shot using framing

36. Avoiding
Mergers
Composition

40. Keys Concepts of Merges
There are three main types of mergers
Subject Merge (where part of the main subject has merged with another element)
Border Merge (where part of the subject has been cut off by the border
Near Merge (where color or objects blend into the main subject ie, props,)

41. The How not of Merging
Look closely for merging elements around the subject before shooting
Move
Ensure that your eye is looking directly through the viewfinder and not on an angle
Look for colors that will blend with the main subject and remove if possible
Sometimes it fun to merge elements and can create a comical or surreal blend of images

42. Shot List for Mergers
Take a merger shot of a person standing on another person’s head
Extend a body part using a merger
Have something growing out of your subject’s head
Create a near merger with an object using either shape or color to merge

43. Rhythm:
Rhythm is a flow that runs across the composition from one end to another; whether that is right to left, top to bottom, or bottom to right. The viewer’s eye will follow an actual or implied line that guides them through the piece along a pathway chosen by the artist.

46. Pattern:
The eye loves patterns and looks for them. Something about the arrangement of repeated shapes or colors is inherently pleasing to our eyes. This can be used to the advantage of the artist. Seeking out an existing pattern or creating one can be an effective compositional tool. Coupled with the principle of variety (a sudden and solitary change in an otherwise consistent pattern), the artist can create a center of interest and guide the viewer’s eye.

49. Keys Concepts of Rhythm & Pattern
a flow that runs across the composition
right to left, top to bottom, or bottom to right
eye will follow an actual or implied line
pattern
the eye loves patterns and looks for them
inherently pleasing to our eyes.
coupled with the variety (a sudden and solitary change in an otherwise consistent pattern)

50. The How of Rhythm & Pattern
Look closely for patterns in everyday setting
Seek out Diagonal lines, curves, and geometric shapes that repeat
Employ lines and framing to lead the viewer into the photograph

51. Select 5 interesting patterns to shoot
Shot List
Select 5 interesting patterns to shoot

52. Color
Composition

56. Keys Concepts for Color
Creates a mood
there are many ways to use color in a composition.
· strong associations with color
strong subconscious or conscious
· completely change both mood and theme of a single image
· Spot Color can create center of interest
· complementary colors create strong contrast

57. The How of Good Color Avoid midday shooting
Shoot during sunrise and sunsets (warmer colors)
Seek out pure saturations of color in nature ( clear blue skies, fall leaves, flowers)
Seek out colorful events (festivals, drama, gatherings of large groups people)
Keep in mind how color will affect the mood of your composition

58. Select 3 Colours that effect the mood of the composition
Colour Shot List
Select 3 Colours that effect the mood of the composition