Rules of Composition

The Goals of Photography To document a moment. To create an image that reaches into another’s eye, brain, and heart is another. Images can stun, inform, amuse, or even anger a viewer.

To document a moment.

To create an image that reaches into another’s eye, brain, and heart is another. Images can stun, inform, amuse, or even anger a viewer.

The Rules of Composition should be treated as guidelines. The Rules of Composition

Composition is the act of composing the image in the viewfinder. It is a visual process of organizing the elements and individual details of a scene into a balanced and pleasing arrangement.

When you take a photo, you make choices, either accidentally or deliberately. Have one main point of interest. Composition

When you take a photo, you make choices, either accidentally or deliberately.

Have one main point of interest.

Have the subject off center. A centered image is always less interesting. The Rule of Thirds

Have the subject off center.

A centered image is always less interesting.

The Rule of Thirds is also called the Golden mean. A ratio of 5:8 is used in positioning the subject of the photograph. The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is also called the Golden mean.

A ratio of 5:8 is used in positioning the subject of the photograph.

Place objects where shown by the arrows & your composition will generally be pleasing. They are considered to be the four ideal positions for placing centers of interest.

Place objects where shown by the arrows & your composition will generally be pleasing. They are considered to be the four ideal positions for placing centers of interest.

The center of interest in this composition (the bird) was placed in accordance with the Rule of Thirds. The young man's face is placed in counterpoint at an opposing intersection, providing a visually-pleasing balance to the image.

You may not be able to always place people or objects exactly over the points of intersection, but no rule of composition requires strict adherence. The rules are simply guidelines.

Placing the horizon a third of the way down (or up) generally looks better than across the middle of the frame. San Francisco Bay

Montreal Skyline

The Rule of Thirds correctly placed the center of interest for this subject.

Which picture follows the rule of thirds?

Notice the placement of the lighthouse and the ocean’s horizon. It represents where the 5 to 8 ratio would intersect.

Notice the placement of the lighthouse and the ocean’s horizon.

It represents where the 5 to 8 ratio would intersect.

Which picture follows the rule of thirds?

Keep the items in your view well distributed. Balance

Keep the items in your view well distributed.

Simplify Move in close. Have a strong center of interest, colorful subject. Choose a simple background.

Move in close.

Have a strong center of interest, colorful subject.

Choose a simple background.

Brutus

A Fly

A Spider

Charlie

San Diego Zoo

Angles Try unusual camera angles. Walk around to get the best angle.

Try unusual camera angles.

Walk around to get the best angle.

Angles The unusual shooting angle is a big part of what makes this picture work

Angles Choose a shooting angle that will add interest to a basically dull and ordinary scene, or that will turn an already exciting subject into a great composition. Select a unique viewpoint, one that most people might otherwise never see, for a picture that will capture the viewer’s attention. Change camera angle to eliminate distracting background elements. A new camera angle will often emphasize a subject's form or shape.

Choose a shooting angle that will add interest to a basically dull and ordinary scene, or that will turn an already exciting subject into a great composition.

Select a unique viewpoint, one that most people might otherwise never see, for a picture that will capture the viewer’s attention.

Change camera angle to eliminate distracting background elements. A new camera angle will often emphasize a subject's form or shape.

Angles If you find that you have more in the picture than is necessary (i.e. more than a subject and context), change your shooting angle - get closer to fill the frame. When photographing children, camera angle can make all the difference to the success of your pictures. Get down to their level. Hold your camera parallel to the ground at the same height as their shoulders or their eyes.

If you find that you have more in the picture than is necessary (i.e. more than a subject and context), change your shooting angle - get closer to fill the frame.

When photographing children, camera angle can make all the difference to the success of your pictures. Get down to their level. Hold your camera parallel to the ground at the same height as their shoulders or their eyes.

Angles Shooting from Lower than their shoulders Makes someone look more impressive Shooting from Above Makes someone look less impressive Shooting from a very low angle Makes someone’s legs look longer

Shooting from Lower than their shoulders

Makes someone look more impressive

Shooting from Above

Makes someone look less impressive

Shooting from a very low angle

Makes someone’s legs look longer

Bonsecours Market

Old Montreal

The Arche de Triomphe

Naxos, Greece

Angles to Try Extreme angles Looking down Looking through things Reflective surfaces Bird’s-eye view Worm’s-eye view Looking in

Extreme angles

Looking down

Looking through things

Reflective surfaces

Bird’s-eye view

Worm’s-eye view

Looking in

Remember It’s not enough to just make random pictures at weird angles. Choose subjects that are interesting and dramatic. The key is to make pictures that are expressive and well composed.

It’s not enough to just make random pictures at weird angles. Choose subjects that are interesting and dramatic. The key is to make pictures that are expressive and well composed.

Leading Lines Leading Lines should lead into, not out of, the picture. A leading line can be almost anything, such as a road or a shadow. It is a matter of choosing the right angle to make it lead into the picture.

Leading Lines should lead into, not out of, the picture.

A leading line can be almost anything, such as a road or a shadow. It is a matter of choosing the right angle to make it lead into the picture.

Leading Lines Lines of Direction Vertical, Horizontal, Diagonal Use lines to lead viewer to subject. Lead the viewer’s eyes.

Lines of Direction

Vertical, Horizontal, Diagonal

Use lines to lead viewer to subject.

Lead the viewer’s eyes.

Lines can draw the eye deep into a picture. And, if they gently curve, they can provide a sense of peace and gracefulness.

Old Montreal

Lines Straight lines A sense of rigidity and tension. Horizontal lines Signify rest. Vertical lines Balance and stability.

Straight lines

A sense of rigidity and tension.

Horizontal lines

Signify rest.

Vertical lines

Balance and stability.

Lines Diagonal Lines Create a dynamic feeling. Curved Lines Lines curved in one direction only (C-shaped lines) give the impression of force in the direction of the bend.

Diagonal Lines

Create a dynamic feeling.

Curved Lines

Lines curved in one direction only (C-shaped lines) give the impression of force in the direction of the bend.

This picture is about lines and mood. The bright lines of the railings lead the viewer's eye to an inconclusive, vanishing dark point, creating a sense of mystery and interest.

Here's a case where you have excellent subject control. You can have the model pose anywhere along the walkway. The rule of thirds indicates this placement which also gives the model a definite path to follow within the picture area.

You should always consider the path of moving subjects and, generally, leave space in front of them into which they can move.

You can also use repetitive lines to draw viewers' attention to your center of interest.

Pattern Repetition of similar shapes. It could be a pattern of birds in flight or a row of beach chairs. Diagonal lines and patterns can fill an image with energy

Repetition of similar shapes.

It could be a pattern of birds in flight or a row of beach chairs.

Diagonal lines and patterns can fill an image with energy

Place des Arts

Alexis Nihon

Consider these when photographing patterns: Textures Worn stones, rocks, bark, weathered wood, leaves. You may want to try to contrast different textures in the same picture. Patterns Branches, trees, roots, water, reeds by water, bark, stones. Explore the patterns that can be found in nature. Look for natural elements that are dramatic.

Textures

Worn stones, rocks, bark, weathered wood, leaves. You may want to try to contrast different textures in the same picture.

Patterns

Branches, trees, roots, water, reeds by water, bark, stones. Explore the patterns that can be found in nature. Look for natural elements that are dramatic.

Consider these when photographing patterns: Reflections Photograph the patterns and shapes of trees and branches reflected in water. Find still pools of water, as well as moving streams, and look for patterns on the surface of the water. Throw rocks into still water and see the patterns you can make.

Reflections

Photograph the patterns and shapes of trees and branches reflected in water. Find still pools of water, as well as moving streams, and look for patterns on the surface of the water. Throw rocks into still water and see the patterns you can make.

Parking Lot

Lighting Avoid backlighting Use dramatic lighting, early and late in the day, sidelight and backlight - strong shadows

Avoid backlighting

Use dramatic lighting, early and late in the day, sidelight and backlight - strong shadows

St. Peters Basilica, Italy

Framing Use foreground to frame subject and add depth. How does your subject relate to its surroundings? Vertical or Horizontal?

Use foreground to frame subject and add depth.

How does your subject relate to its surroundings?

Vertical or Horizontal?

Rome, Italy

Stratford

A hollow log serves to frame the subject

Portraits Capture the essence of a person

Capture the essence of a person

Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter. Oscar Wilde

Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.

Oscar Wilde

Your goal is to make portraits that are expressive and well composed. Consider some of these issues when making and looking at portraits: The expressive moment of the subject Extreme close-up or part of a face Portraits without faces Props, clothing, etc. Psychological portraits Camera angle or point of view Dramatic facial expressions, poses, and gestures Lighting

Your goal is to make portraits that are expressive and well composed. Consider some of these issues when making and looking at portraits:

The expressive moment of the subject

Extreme close-up or part of a face

Portraits without faces

Props, clothing, etc.

Psychological portraits

Camera angle or point of view

Dramatic facial expressions, poses, and gestures

Lighting

Filling the Frame Move close to the subject. Do not include unnecessary background. Use the background when it contributes something.

Move close to the subject.

Do not include unnecessary background.

Use the background when it contributes something.

Filling the Frame “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough” Robert Capa

“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough”

Robert Capa

Montreal, Quebec

Portland, Oregon