1. The Rules of Photography
Unit 57: Photography and Photographic Practice Terminology
P1, P2, M1, M2
Paige Ward

2. Rule of thirds
The rule of third is a guideline
which applies when taking an
image. The guideline is divided into
3 with 2 imaginary lines. Divison of
composition/ photograph so that
the focal point on one of the
intersections.
I’ve found a few different
photographs with the rule of thirds
and I think the photograph looks
better with the object/person on
the right, majority of the
photographs I found the
object/person was on the right. I
find my eye looks to the right side
of the photograph first even when
the object/person is on the left.
Landscape
Landscape
LandscapePortrait
Portrait Portrait

3. Framing
This technique is used to focus on
the subject for example;
• Windows
• Doorways
• Natural
• Physical elements
Framing can make a large image
which can keep the viewer’s focus on
the framed object. It can add depth
to a photo and it can make the image
more interesting.

4. Leading
Lines
This is when the eye is being led
from the front to the back of the
image. The use of lines can be
used to direct the viewers
attention to the subject of the
image, the lines can be any shape,
but the lines can also direct away
from the subject.
Leading Lines is my favorite
photography technique because it
can be done in many different
ways and majority of photographs
including this is eye catching. I’ve
used this technique a variety of
times when taking photographs
and I find it an easy technique to
do.

5. Balancing
Elements
This is when you put the
main subject off center
and it creates a more
interesting image, but it
can leave a void in the
scene which can make it
feel empty. You should
balance the weight of
your subject by
including another object
of lesser importance to
fill the space.

6. Symmetry &
Patterns
These can be both natural
and man-made. They can
make an eye catching
composition, especially in
situations where they’re
not expected. A great way
to use them is to break the
symmetry or pattern in
some way which can
introduce tension and a
focal point to the scene.

7. Depth of
Field
This occurs as a gradual change, it’s in
strong definition, mast clear, can be
foreground or background. There can
also be a shallow depth of field, which is
a small focus point. It is the distance
between the nearest and farthest
objects in the scene that appear
acceptably sharp in an image
Depth of field can make boring
photographs interesting such as the
photograph on the right where the man
is holding his hands out, I think depth of
field is done in an interesting way here.
This is another one of my favorite
techniques.