Visual Composition

When Framing your Shots:

Avoid Unnecessary Elements

Observe the Rule of Thirds

Balance the Frame

Maintain Simple Composition

Keep Elements Orderly

Composition is the visual organization of the objects in a defined area

Visual Composition Dominant Quadrants Leading Lines

Visual Composition

Size of the element

Shape of the element

Brightness of the elements

Color of the element

Visually emphasize one element over others by using contrast in the:

Visual Composition

Depth of Field Variables:

F rame Rate

A perture of Lens

L ens Focal Length

S peed of Film

E xposure

Use Select Focus to emphasize one element over other elements

Visual Composition Asymmetrical Balance is more visually interesting

Visual Composition Contrast and Color are ways to emphasize elements

Visual Composition The Rule of Thirds helps to emphasize elements

Visual Composition Crop These Photos by Applying the Rule of Thirds

Visual Composition Aspect Ratio is the ratio of Horizontal vs. Vertical

Aspect Ratios TIP

Aspect Ratios TIP Always protect for other aspect ratios. The boom mic that doesn’t show in 1.85 : 1 will be clearly visible in 1.33 : 1

Visual Composition Compose your frame for the correct Aspect Ratio

Visual Composition Special care needs to be taken when framing widescreen images

Visual Composition Pan and Scan is the technique of adapting 16x9 video to fit a 4x3 monitor. Often, it is possible to crop the 16x9 frame into two 4x3 medium closeups.

Visual Composition The Rule of Thirds applies to 16x9 frames as well

Visual Composition Placing important picture elements near the edge of the frame can be an effective compositional tool.

Visual Composition Allow ample leading room for moving subjects

Visual Composition Leading Lines help direct the viewer’s attention

Visual Composition A combination of composition techniques can be used in a single image

Visual Composition In video, “Staging” is known as “Camera Blocking” and it applies to the relative placement of the actors

Visual Composition There are several ways to create the illusion of depth

Visual Composition The illusion of depth can be created by shooting with a wide lens and from a low camera angle

Visual Composition Framing with foreground elements also helps to create the illusion of depth

Visual Composition Framing with architectural elements also helps to create the illusion of depth

Visual Composition Windows can be used to frame a scene and to help create the illusion of depth

Visual Composition The opposite effect is created by using a telephoto lens which flattens the image

Visual Composition

A Frame is like a unit of sound – an

essential building block of language

that is usually too small to deliver a

message by itself

An Image is like a word

A Shot (a continuously evolving stream

of images) is like a sentence

A Scene is like a paragraph – It is

composed of several shots and

conveys meaning about a single topic

Visual Composition The Extreme Long Shot is usually referred to as an Establishing Shot Shot Types Long Shot Long Shot Extreme Long Shot

Visual Composition The Full Shot is also known as a Wide Shot Shot Types Full Shot Medium Long Shot

Visual Composition Shot Types Medium Shot Three Quarter Shot The Medium Shot is also known as a Waist-up Shot

Visual Composition Shot Types Closeup Medium Closeup The Medium Closeup is also known as a Bust Shot

Visual Composition Shot Types Extreme Closeup Big Closeup The Big Closeup is also known as a Choker

Visual Composition Shot Types This shows the frames of the assorted shots

Visual Composition Shot Types Bird’s-Eye View Vertical Angle Shot Names Relation of the Camera to the Subject on Y Axis

Visual Composition Shot Types Neutral Angle High Angle Neutral Angle should always be used unless requested by the DP or Director to convey a message about the talent

Visual Composition Shot Types Worms-Eye View Low Angle Low angle conveys a message of admiration