Composition

1. Composition
• Learn some of the basic rules of
composition in photography.
• Use subject specific language to discuss
and write about images.
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2. 2
The word composition means
combining or putting together parts to
form a whole.
Composition can apply to music, art and
writing – in fact anything that is arranged
or ‘put together’ using conscious
thought.
Composition

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In this presentation we are going to look at some of the most important ‘rules’ or
conventions of composition:
Rule of Thirds
Balance
Leading Lines
Rule of Odd & Even
Space
Simplification
Symmetry
Pattern & Repetition
Learning ‘rules’ about art can seem stifling or constricting – if all artists just follow
a set of rules then their art would look very similar and become very boring.
Many original artists manage to break or ‘bend’ these rules or conventions, but to
do so successfully they first had to fully understand the rules and
conventions.

5. Rule of Thirds
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Divide the image into thirds as shown – If the main visual components (things in the
image) lie on or near the lines then the image often tends to look ‘right’. In this image
the horizon line and the girl are on one of the bisectors.
[Remember, rules are there to be broken - once you understand and can follow them!]

6. Before you snap the picture, imagine your picture area divided into thirds both
horizontally and vertically. The intersections of these imaginary lines suggest four
options for placing the centre of interest for good composition. The option you
select depends upon the subject and how you would like that subject to be
presented.
Rule of Thirds

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Which image do you prefer?
Which image more closely follows the rule of thirds?
Rule of Thirds

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Rule of Thirds

9. 9
Gary Winogrand
Sometimes an image does not follow the rule of thirds exactly,
but the main visual components (‘things’) in the image are
close to the 1/3rd
bisectors.
Rule of Thirds

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Rule of Thirds

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Fay Godwin
Landscape photography often uses the rule of thirds – how?
Rule of Thirds

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Fay Godwin
Landscape photography often has the horizon line on or near
one of the two horizontal lines
Rule of Thirds

13. Balance
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Placing your main subject off-centre, as with the rule of thirds, creates a more
interesting photo, 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.

14. Balance
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15. Balance
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Placing your main subject off-
centre, as with the rule of
thirds, creates a more
interesting photo, 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.

16. Balance
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17. Balance
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18. How has the painter Hokusai used
balanced to create a satisfying
composition in his work?
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19. Leading Lines
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Leading lines lead your eyes through the image—sometimes even out of the image.
These lines can be the main subjects of the image, or they can be used to lead your
viewer to a specific area within the photo that is an important focal point.

20. Leading Lines
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21. Leading Lines
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22. How has Hokusai used leading lines to
emphasise the what is happening in
this painting?
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23. Sentence starters:
This image shows…
The composition of this image follows…
The photographer has used…
The viewer can clearly see…
Identify:
The composition of this image follows the
rule of thirds technique as the main subject
is placed in the frame on one of the
bisecting lines.
Effect:
The photographer has purposefully used
this rule to draw the viewer’s attention to
the main subject.
Key Words:
Subject, Composition, Frame, Placed, Bisecting line, Viewer, Focus, Space, Empty,
Balance, Lead, Follow, Straight, Curved, Diagonal, Visual, Horizon Line, Centre, Area.
Frame
Subject
Identify the composition rule used and comment of the effect
that it has.
• Rule of Thirds
• Balance
• Leading Lines
Example

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Norman Parkinson
Dianne Arbus
An even number of ‘things’
in an image can sometimes
create a feeling of tension
or a slightly un-natural look.
… while an odd number of ‘things’ can
often create a feeling of harmony or
balance
Rule of Odd and Even

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An odd number of subjects in an image often has a more ‘natural’,
symmetrical or balanced feel than an even number.
The Rule Of Odd and Even

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Henri Cartier Bresson
In many artworks 3 subjects or ‘things’ in an image (an odd
number) can draw attention to the central subject.
The Rule Of Odd and Even

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This rule also applies to objects in a composition.
The Rule Of Odd and Even

28. Rule of Space
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Which composition is more dynamic?
Which composition is more ‘restful’, allowing the subject to ‘look dreamily
into space’?
Nadar

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Rule of Space
The empty space in the right-hand image creates a more contemplative or
thoughtful feel to it.
Nadar

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Swimmers diving into the water
(shot from beneath the water, looking upwards).
Space can also help create an impression of movement
In this image there is not much unfilled space
Rule of Space

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The swimmers now appear to be moving into the empty
space ahead of them, helping to create an impression
or feeling of movement.
Rule of Space

32. Rule of Space
(lean into the frame)
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When photographing people and animals it's
best to have them looking into the frame.

33. Simplification
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In photography
composition, that
means that we don't
want to include any
elements in our
picture space that
distract from our
main message.

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Simplification
How does
Rembrandt draw our
attention into the
face?
Rembrandt, Self Portrait.

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Simplification
ANSWER:
1. Lighting - the face
has more light on it
than other areas.
2. The brush-strokes
are finer and more
detailed in the facial
area but become
broader and less
detailed for other
areas.
3. Vignette – the
painting becomes
darker towards the
edges.
4. Use of colour – dark
‘drab’ colours except
for the face.

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What technique has the photographer used to simplify this image?
Chris Monaghan
Simplification

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Is this picture ‘simplified’ ? If not, why not … and so what might the
photographer Joel Meyerowitz be saying about life in the modern city?
Simplification

38. Sentence starters:
This image shows…
The composition of this image follows…
The photographer has used…
The viewer can clearly see…
Identify:
The composition of this image follows the
rule of odd and even because there are an
odd number of subjects in the frame.
Effect:
The viewer finds it more comfortable to look
at an odd number of objects as the eye finds
it easy when there is a central focus.
Key Words:
subject, composition, frame, placed, odd, even, viewer, focus, space, empty, balance, objects,
centre, tension, unnatural, harmony, symmetrical, dynamic, movement, empty, distract, colour,
lighting, plain, uncluttered, shallow depth of field.
Frame
Subject
• Rule of odd and even
• Rule of space
• Simplification
Example
Identify the composition rule used and comment of the effect
that it has.

39. Symmetry
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In this photograph the building seems to be ‘balanced’ by
the white cloud. The line of symmetry runs from the
bottom left to top right corner.
Chris Monaghan

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Symmetry
Line of symmetry
Chris Monaghan

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Norman Parkinson
Where is the line of
symmetry in this image?
Symmetry

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Norman Parkinson
Note: unlike in mathematics
where perfect symmetry can
be found, in art symmetry is
often an approximation.
Symmetry

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Chris Monaghan
Does this image exhibit
any symmetry?
When something has no
symmetry we say that it
is asymmetrical
Symmetry

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David Seymour (Chim)
How does being asymmetrical (not symmetrical) help or add
to the viewing experience and meaning of this image?
Symmetry

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Answer: War is chaotic & random – death can come at any
moment and does not follow beautiful aesthetic rules of
composition. By being asymmetrical the image manages to
convey this.
Symmetry

46. Repetition & Pattern
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Albert Renger-Patzsch

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When something is repeated, it
can create a visual pattern.
Edward Weston
Repetition & Pattern

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Andreas Gursky Paul Strand
Pattern can be used to suggest texture, or can produce an abstract
visual experience.
Repetition & Pattern

49. Sentence starters:
This image shows…
The composition of this image follows…
The photographer has used…
The viewer can clearly see…
Identify:
This image shows symmetry because of
the way the bird is reflected as a mirror
image within the frame.
Effect:
The human eye likes to find symmetry
within nature, and within art, because it
creates a sense of balance.
Key Words:
subject, composition, frame, placed, viewer, focus, space, balance, objects, centre, natural, harmony,
symmetrical, mirror image, similar, shape, pattern, repeated, geometrical, organic, abstract.
Frame
Identify the composition rule used and comment of
the effect that it has.
• Symmetry
• Pattern
Example
Subject

50. Rule of Composition - Recap
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZVyNjKSr0M&t=2s

51. Composition
Look at the photographs a decide which of the rules of composition
are demonstrated.
Write a sentence describing the rule of composition and how it is used
in the image (one for each).
•Rule of Thirds
•Balance
•Leading Lines
•Rule of Even & Odd
•Space
•Simplification
•Symmetry
•Pattern & Repetition
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52. Follow the rule
Break the rule
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Add your own opinion of which is more successful and why.

53. Breaking the rule of thirds
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Symmetry
Shallow
Depth of
Field

54. Breaking the rule of balance
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Simplification