The document discusses various techniques for effective image composition, including positioning subjects to convey movement or story, simplifying images by removing distracting elements, using the rule of thirds to place subjects off-center, incorporating lines and geometric shapes, balancing color and placement of elements, avoiding mergers that cut off subjects or create distractions, and framing the main subject. It provides examples to illustrate these composition tips and how following or ignoring them can strengthen or weaken an image.

1. Image Composition
Image composition refers to how the
elements of an image are arranged. There
are a number of rules to follow in order to
compose an effective image.

2. Positioning
Positioning is an important part of
image composition which can help
the audience to have some
understanding of the story behind
the photograph. Take this photo of
a child on a pedal-kart, for example.
Her positioning in the foreground of
the photograph shows the audience
where she has come from – she has
driven her kart all the way down the
path. The image is still, so we
couldn’t have actually seen her do
this, but the space left behind her
represents the distance she has
travelled.

3. Simplicity
One of the most important parts of good image
composition is simplicity. It’s vital to make the subject
or object of your image the centre of attention, so
that often means having little else in the picture
which could detract attention away from your main
visual focus.

4. This image shows how confusing
a photograph can be when there
is no specific focus. Is the subject
the telephone, or the bridge, or
the cactus? The photograph isn’t
effective because there’s too
much going on.
If we chose the cactus to
become the main interest of
the photograph, it is much
more effective. By moving in
closer to the cactus and using
the sky as a plain background,
the image has been simplified
and is much more effective.

5. Similarly, the photograph of this bird shows how simplicity can
improve a photograph. Although the photographs are both
close-ups of the same bird, the picture on the left has a tree in
the background, making the image busy. On the other hand,
the right-hand picture has a much more plain background of
the sky, making the photograph more simple and effective,
because the bird stands out more against the skyline. These
photographs were taken at the same time, but are so different
simply due to a change in point of view. It’s important to
consider point of view when taking a photograph.

6. It’s important to consider simplicity when taking a still image
photograph by bearing in mind your choice of background to
increase the prominence of the subject, and also your framing
to make the subject of your image clear to your audience,
without anything else detracting from it. However, it’s also a
good idea to consider how central you want your subject to be.
To create a more dynamic photograph, you could place your
subject slightly off-centre, like in the image below of a young
artist. Generally, photographs with a centralised subject look
more static than those with an off-centre subject placement.

7. The Rule of Thirds
You can use the rule of thirds to centre or off-centre
your subject. Here’s how it works:
Before you snap your picture, imagine your shot is
divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically, like
this:
The intersections of these imaginary lines suggest four
options (highlighted in the image above) for placing
the centre of interest to achieve a good image
composition. The option you select depends upon the
subject and how you would like that subject to be
presented.

8. In this image, the upper right intersection is
chosen so that we can see the whole seagull,
its whole shadow and the footprints it’s left
leading up to where it’s standing now.

9. Considering the Path of Moving
Subjects
It’s always important to consider the path of moving subjects
when taking a photograph. Usually, you leave a space in front
and behind the subject to give them somewhere to move into.
The space behind the subject usually represents where
they’ve come from, and the space in front represents where
they’re going.

10. If you don’t leave this space, this is what can happen:
The jogger looks like she’s just about to run out of the
picture!
In this image, the rule of thirds has been used to give the
jogger the space required to represent her movement. She
no longer looks like she’s about to run out of the photo:

11. Lines
Lines also play an important role in image composition. Strong lines can
make a photograph far more dynamic. Diagonal lines are said to be
especially dynamic, as demonstrated by the diagonal beams of light in this
photograph:
Diagonal lines are a good way to lead into a picture. They’re easy for the
eye to follow along to your main subject.

12. You can also use repetitive lines to draw attention to
your subject:
An ‘S’ curve is another type of line commonly used in
photography. It’s said to be one of the most graceful:

13. Geometric Shapes
Simple geometric shapes can help with image
composition. The effect of shapes can vary
depending on the situation you are
photographing. For example, the triangular
shape in this photograph creates a strong
sense of unity:

14. Balance
Good balance is simply the arrangement of shapes, colours,
or areas of light and dark that compliment one another so
that the photograph looks well-balanced.
In this photograph, the colours are
well-balanced to create definite lines
between objects, and to stop colour
bleeding. The camera viewpoint and
subject placement were carefully
considered to create the right balance
for the image. For example, the leaves
are present in both the top right
corner and the bottom left.

15. This image isn’t balanced. The girl looks like she might be
about to fall off the edge of the photograph due to the lack of
visual support.
If we move the viewpoint, we can see the second wheel,
making the photograph appear much more balanced,
although the subject is still off-centre.

16. Symmetrical and Non-Symmetrical
Balance
The couples in this photo are
stood at either side of the frame
– they are symmetrically
balanced.
Non-symmetrical balance can be
more interesting to look at than
symmetrical balance, like in this
picture of this statue. The child’s
head is smaller than the
mother’s, creating the non-
symmetrical balance.

17. Framing
To make an image more than just a snapshot, it’s
important to frame the centre of interest with other
objects. This helps to give the photograph a feeling of
depth, like in this example where the trees and the shore
line frame the boat nicely:
Although it’s often the foreground that frames the shot,
it doesn’t have to be.

18. Overlapping Elements
Avoiding mergers can help to create a better image composition. It’s easy
to miss objects within your shot when you’re focused on your centre of
interest, but missing mergers can seriously ruin photographs. For example,
the tree in this photograph has been missed by the photographer, and it
complicates the image and detracts attention away from the centre of
interest – Dave. Also, it makes the photo look comical, rather than serious,
as the tree almost looks like it’s sprouting from his head! The photo on the
right is much more effective, where the background has been considered
in more detail.

19. Border Mergers
In this photograph, a border merger has been committed.
The photograph is fun, but parts of people have been cut
off, such as the two people in the top left hand corner, and
the feet of the man in a stripy top who’s sat in the
foreground. The boat in the top right corner is somewhat
irrelevant and detracts attention away from the main focus
of the image. To make the photograph more effective, the
viewfinder should be aligned properly so that some space is
left around everyone.

20. Near Mergers
Whilst they’re not detrimental, near mergers can take
attention away from the focus of your image. Near mergers
are objects or lines that are just too close to the principal
subject, and often include objects of the same colour,
creating colour bleeding.
We can correct the near mergers in this photograph by
changing the angle to a low angle, and only using one prop
of the Frisbee for simplicity.