Composition
The Art of Seeing Images
• Arrangement of elements
• Relationship of elements
Part Two
Visual Elements
Visual Elements
• Typical Visual Elements include:
• Lines
• Shapes
• The Spot
Visual Elements
• Line: denote movement in one
direction
•Horizontals
•Verticals
•Parallel Verticals/Horizontals
•Curved or S-shaped lines
•Diagonals
•Irregulars
Linear elements
• Diagonal lines are dynamic; curved lines
are flowing and graceful
– such as roads, waterways, a fence and
shadows
• You can often find the right line by moving
around and choosing an appropriate angle
– natural lines of the scene lead the viewers' eyes
into the picture and toward your main center of
interest
Function of Lines
• Lines help the
viewer to read the
image
• Help viewer to
locate key contrasts
• Add visual interest
• Guide the viewer in
a certain direction
HORIZONTALS
• Add stability to photo,
imply COOL or RESTFUL
Parallel Vert. / Horz. Lines
• Suggest: Symmetry, Order, or Direction
Parallel Vert. / Horz. Lines
Verticals
• Can suggest WARMTH or AGGRESSIVENESS
• Intersection of vertical and horizontal lines
create FOCAL POINTS
Verticals
Curved or S-Shaped Lines
• Most Natural
appearing, evoke
natural rhythms,
and feelings of slow,
easy movement
Curved or S-Shaped Lines
Diagonals
• Neither warm or cool
• Most naturally occur from Lower Left to
Upper Right
• Falling Diagonals move Down and Off
picture
Diagonals
Irregular Lines
• Varying size,
thickness, shape, &
texture
• Provides visual
interest
Irregular Lines
SHAPES
• Five basic forms or SHAPES in photography
–
–
–
–
–
Squares
Triangles
Circles
Oblongs
Irregular
Squares & Triangles
Squares
Circles & Oblongs
Circles & Oblongs
Circles & Oblongs
Contrast
• more impact
– light subject placed
against a dark
background and
vice versa
– Contrasting colors
Contrast & The Spot
• One “spot” that commands the viewer’s
attention
• Focal point of contrasting masses
The Spot
Other Compositional Tools
• Lines of Direction
– Actual & Psychological
– Directs movement of eye through image
• Shape & Form
– Shape is flat, two-dimensional
– Repeated shapes can form a shape
– Form refers to volume, its 3-D
• Depth—Lines of Perspective
– Parallel lines converge in distance
– Gives sense of depth to photo
Direction of movement
• leave space in front of the subject
– it appears to be moving into, rather
than out of, the image
Lines of Direction
Shape & Form
Repeated Shape
Repeated Shape
Form, Shadow, & Light
• Shadows coming towards the viewer
implies the “third” dimension
Depth: Lines of Perspective
Depth: Lines of Perspective
Rule of Thirds
• One of the most popular 'rules' in photography
and art
– principle taught in fine art, graphic design and
photography
• based on the theory that the eye goes naturally
to a point about two-thirds up the page
– achieve the informal or asymmetric balance
mentioned above
Rule of Thirds
• Imaginary lines are drawn dividing the
image into thirds both horizontally and
vertically
– important elements placed where these lines
intersect
– also arrange areas into bands occupying a
third or place things along the imaginary lines
• simple to implement
Rule of Thirds
• The Greeks developed the concept
of the “Golden Mean”
• Divide the image into grid of 1/3s
• Place subject at one of intersecting
lines
Rule of Thirds or Golden Mean
Some Examples
Some Examples
Some Examples
Rule of Thirds
• Common example is the placement of the
horizon line in landscape photography
If the area of interest is land or water
• Horizon line will
usually be twothirds up from the
bottom
• To suggest
closeness,
position the
horizon high in
your picture
If the sky is the area of emphasis
• Horizon line may
be one-third up
from the bottom,
leaving the sky
to occupy the
top two-thirds
• To accent
spaciousness,
keep the horizon
low in the picture
Breaking the Rule of Thirds
• Once you have got the hang of the
Rule of Thirds
– you will very quickly want to break it
– This is fine
• 'rules' are best used as guidelines
• if you can create a better image by
bending or ignoring rules then fire away
Breaking the Rule of Thirds
Framing - Foreground objects
• Add a sense of depth to the picture
– helps establish scale
• use the foreground elements to "frame" your
subject
– Overhanging tree branches, a doorway, or an arch
can give a picture the depth
– something in the foreground that leads you into the
picture or gives you a sense of where the viewer is
Framing - Foreground objects
Framing - Foreground objects
Framing - Foreground objects
Framing
• Don't forget that you can turn cameras
sideways
– vertical for tall buildings, waterfalls, or a person
– horizontal for groups of people, cars, and
dachshunds
• Switch it around
– Try both horizontal and vertical pictures of the
same subject
Framing the Image
• In-camera:
– Horizontal
– Vertical
Framing the Image
• Out-of-Camera:
Concludes Composition
References:
•Photography, 7th Ed., by London, Upton, Kobre, Brill
•Photography, 2nd Ed., by Bruce Warren
•Foundations of art & design, 3rd Ed., by Mark Galer