The document discusses the importance of composition in photography. It defines composition as the arrangement of visual elements in a work of art. Good composition according to the "rule of thirds" places subjects of interest along imaginary lines that divide the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Examples are provided of photos that effectively apply the rule of thirds. The document encourages practicing composition techniques like the rule of thirds and provides tips for homework assignments to take photos exploring different compositional approaches.

1. Composition is Key
What makes a GREAT photograph?

2. Composition
• placement or arrangement of visual elements in art
• organization of the elements of art according to the
principles of design
• means 'putting together' and can apply to any work
• helps achieve a sense
of unity within an
artwork
• work of art is said to be
aesthetically pleasing
if the elements within the
work are arranged in a
balanced compositional
way

3. In every photograph you take…
• you decide where the boundaries of
that photo will be (cropping)
• you choose the viewpoint or
perspective
• you move or rearrange people or
objects
• you move yourself and decide where to
place point of interest

4. Good vs. Bad?
• biggest difference between a good photograph
and a mediocre one is the composition
• what one person finds pleasing, someone else will
not – composition is largely a matter of personal
taste, so technically there is no right or wrong
composition…

5. • a photograph that
communicates its
message (says what you
want it to say, says it
clearly, and interests its
viewer) – is an effective
composition
• how you arrange a scene in your camera will
determine the effectiveness of your picture and
contribute to how well the message is conveyed
• there is more to good composition than the
placement of elements, but that is where we start
Good vs. Bad?

6. Rule of Thirds
aligning a subject with
these points creates
more tension, energy
and interest in the
composition than simply
centering the subject
would
Compositional rule in the
visual arts
image should be
imagined as divided into
nine equal parts by two
equally-spaced
horizontal lines and two
equally-spaced vertical
lines
important compositional
elements should be
placed along these lines
or their intersections

7. Rule of Thirds Examples

8. Rule of Thirds Examples

9. Rule of Thirds Examples

12. Consider…
Where am I intentionally
placing my points of
interest?
What are the points of
interest in this shot?
Breaking the rule can
result in some striking
shots… once you’ve
learned it, experiment
with purposely breaking it
to see what you discover.
Keep the rule of thirds in
mind as you edit your
photos later on…
cropping and reframing
images so that they fit
within the rules.

13. Practice
3. With a ruler, measure
the sides and divide by
3, drawing lines with a
Sharpie to create a 9
square grid.
1. Choose a magazine
to find photographs you
might like.
2. Cut out 3 pictures
that the composition
uses the Rule of Thirds
successfully.
5. Glue your images into
your sketchbook.
Sketchbook DUE:
Finish your Rule of
Thirds Sketchbook
assignment by the end
of class!
** Worth 10 points **
4. Repeat this for all 3
images.

14. Brainstorming
3. For EACH, draw two
different thumbnails
showing where you will
place your focal point.
1. List 5 different things
you can photograph for
the Rule of Thirds
assignment, and include
what the focal point is.
2. For EACH, list two
different backgrounds
that could be part of
your photographs.
Brainstorming DUE:
Finish your Rule of
Thirds Brainstorming
assignment by
Monday, 9/21!
** Worth 50 points **

15. Practice
Homework:
Take 40 pictures
experimenting with Rule
of Thirds. Take pictures
of anything you’d like…
go for a walk around the
house or go outside
Tips:
Try taking pictures of the
same subject and
compose using the Rule
of Thirds and going
against it.
40 pictures (uploaded
to Google Drive)
DUE: Thursday,
September 30

16. Do & Don’t
DO make sure the background or
“negative space” is visually interesting.
DON’T have a boring or
unattractive background – “dead
space”.

17. Do & Don’t
DO leave some space around
your focal point – watch your
framing.
DON’T overcompensate by
putting your point of interest
too close to the edge of the
frame.