COMPOSITION Definition: The arrangement of
elements within a frame
Three Parts To a Picture
1. Subject (Center Of Interest)
a. The Main Focus of the picture
2. Message
3. Treatment of The Subject
a. Composition Techniques
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
1. Rule of Thirds
The Subject of the Photograph
should be off center in the
frame
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
1. Rule of Thirds
Horizon Rule
Horizon Line should be placed in
the top or bottom third of the
frame
Horizon Rule – Top or Bottom 3rd
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
2. Background Always be aware of your
background. It should never
interfere with your subject and
your message
Background
Background interferes,
competing with the
subject for attention.
Background
complements and
strengthens the subject.
The “Aperture” is the camera control
that directly affects background
focus, which we call “Depth of Field”
COMPOSITION
Techniques 8 Elements of Composition
2. Background Avoid Mergers.
Because photos are 2
Dimensional, objects directly
behind other objects in the
frame can appear to “merge”
together.
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
3. Balance
Always try to achieve a sense
of Balance in the shot
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
3. Balance Two kinds of balance:
• Symmetrical Balance (equal)
•Asymmetrical Balance (unequal)
Balance
Asymmetrical Balance
Asymmetrical
Balance
Symmetrical Balance
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
4. Lines Lines can psychologically
“charge” your image. We react
differently to different kinds of
lines
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
4. Lines
•Horizontal and Curved Lines
create a sense of calm or peace
• Diagonal or Vertical lines
create a sense of tension
Curves create peacefulness or a sense of
calm, as opposed to the tension that
diagonals can create
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
COMPOSITION
Techniques 8 Elements of Composition
4. 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
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
5. 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)
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
5. 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
High Angle
Low Angle
Inferiority or
Weakness Dominance
or Strength
Perspective (angle of view)
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
6. Framing
Using objects in the
Foreground to naturally “frame”
your subject
Framing is used to add interest to a photograph
and to add a 3 Dimensional feel to the shot
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
7. Motion
Motion is directly controlled by
the camera’s shutter speed
COMPOSITION
Techniques
8 Elements of Composition
7. Motion
•Fast shutter speeds “freeze”
motion
• Slow shutter speeds “blur”
motion
Motion
Motion Freeze
Motion Blur
Rule of Motion
Movement should be placed in the frame so it is
coming into, not leaving, frame.
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
COMPOSITION
Techniques 8 Elements of Composition
8. 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
Light
MOTION
BLUR
using a
Slow
Shutter
Speed at
Night
Light
Light Trails from stars using
a long shutter speed
(“B” or Bulb Setting)
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