The document provides guidelines for achieving good composition in photographs. It discusses key composition principles like the rule of thirds, simplicity, lines, balance, framing, and avoiding mergers. Specific techniques are described, such as placing the subject off-center following the rule of thirds, using lines to lead the eye, balancing elements symmetrically or asymmetrically, framing with foreground elements, and avoiding mergers between the subject and background. Examples illustrate good and poor composition based on these principles.

1. Composition
The term composition refers to the
content of a photograph; specifically,
the way everything in the photo is laid
out.
This includes the subject matter, the
relative size and positions of objects
within the photo, lighting and tonal
balance, etc.

2. The Rule of Thirds
Dividing the Frame
in three equally
parts
Points (or lines) of
interest should
occur at 1/3 or 2/3 of
the way up (or
across) the frame,
rather than in the
centre

3. The Subject
Make sure you know
exactly what it is
you are
photographing,

4. The Frame
While concentrating
on the subject of the
photo, it's easy to
overlook other parts
of the composition.
Before you push the
record button, take
note of everything in
the photo — not just
the subject.

5. Angles
Many shots can be
given added impact
by simple changes
in the camera view.
The photo on the
top right has quite a
nice composition,
but the effect is
much more dramatic
when the camera is
rolled to the right.

6. In the image, the
subject presents a
non-threatening
friendly face.
The subject in the
next photo has a
more "I'm in charge"
feel.

7. Balance
There are many types of
"balance" in a
photograph; for
example, a mix of close
and distant objects,
a mix of light and dark,
etc. Poor balance is not
usually good, for
example, a photo with
too much light and no
contrast

8. Using Lines in Photographic Composition
Vertical lines emphasize
strength, power and height.
Horizontal lines emphasize
width, stability and security.
Diagonal lines have a more
dramatic, dynamic effect than
vertical and horizontal.
Curved lines reflect nature,
relaxation, sensuality, etc.

9. Three important guidelines for composing a
photograph.
Theme
 Emphasis
Simplicity

10. Theme
What is the universal message of this photograph?
 What does it imply?
 What does it say?
What kind of statement is the photographer making?
 Is it about love, or childhood, or parents, or growing
old?
 Is it about the beauty in nature, or the ugliness of
poverty?
Why do you want to take this image?

11. Emphasis
What is the subject?
Where is the subject?
 Where should the viewer look?
 What is important?
The photographer can show emphasis through
framing choice, whether he uses a vertical or
horizontal format. Or he might use selective
focus to simplify the background.

12. Simplicity
The photographer works to simplify the
composition.
He looks to see that nothing in the
photograph weakens the theme.
Everything visible in the photograph helps
to support the theme
The background does not distract from
the subject but adds to the composition.

13. Have you ever wondered why some pictures
are more appealing than others .

14. why some are left hanging in galleries for months or even
years to be enjoyed by thousands?

15. why some photographers consistently win the praises of
judges and critics?

16. some pictures are more outstanding than others is
because of their strong composition

17. Good composition is a subject with a history of its own

18. Definition for photographic composition is simple: the
pleasing selection and arrangement of subjects within the
picture area

19. You can shift your camera very slightly and make quite a
change in composition.

20. Some arrangements are made by placing figures or
objects in certain positions

21. Guidelines for good composition
• Simplicity
• The Rule of Thirds
• Lines
• Balance
• Framing
• Avoiding Mergers

22. Guidelines for Better Photographic Composition
Simplicity
The first and perhaps the most important
guideline is simplicity.
Look for ways to give the center of interest
in your pictures the most visual attention

23. We chose the cactus as the main subject. And by moving in closer
and using the plain sky as the background, we have simplified
and improved the appearance of this photograph.

24. Just change your point of view slightly and, presto, your seagull
stands with visual prominence against the blue sky.

25. Compose your photograph so that your reason for
taking the picture is clearly seen

26. How much of your subject should you include, and
should it be framed vertically as we have done here?

27. you can simplify your pictures and strengthen your center
of interest by selecting uncomplicated backgrounds

28. If you want to make your center of interest even more dynamic,
place it slightly off center

29. The Rule of Thirds
You can use the rule of thirds as
a guide in the off-center
placement of your subjects
We picked the upper-right position
for this subject so that we could
see the full shadow and most of
the tracks that lead to the seagull

30. The rule of thirds indicates this placement which also
gives the model a definite path to follow within the
picture are

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

32. This jogger looks like she's going to run right
out of the picture

33. By placing the subject in the lower-left position, we've
used the rule of thirds and given the jogger plenty of
room to run within the picture.

34. it's important to leave more space in front of a
moving subject than behind it

35. Here the center position of the boat and horizon results
in a static feeling

36. Let's move the horizon to the upper third and
the sailboat to the left

37. it's usually best to place horizons off center,
it's also best to place verticals off centre

38. Lines
Lines also play an important role in composition

40. You can use diagonals as leading lines to provide a
way into the picture. It's a simple and easy path for the
eye to follow to the main subject

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

42. One of the most common and graceful lines
used in composition is called the S curve

43. This picture is also improved with a well-placed center
of interest, and the result is a photograph that's easy to
look at

44. Balance
Good balance is
simply the
arrangement of
shapes,
colors, or
areas of light and
dark that
complement one
another so that the
photograph looks
well-balanced

45. You can help yourself develop an artistic eye by
studying pictures to find the strength of their lines,
geometric shapes, and balance

46. Notice how the leaves,
the window, and the
couple all seem to be in
the right place. The
camera viewpoint and
subject placement were
all carefully selected to
create this well-balanced
photograph

47. Karen looks like she's going to fall right out of the
picture due to lack of visible support

48. Karen is still off center, but the picture is
balanced

49. Imagine that these two couples are standing at either
end of a pair of scales. They are evenly balanced, so
this is a classic example of symmetrical balance

50. Example of nonsymmetrical balance. The large single
head balances the smaller child on the right.

51. This is a balanced photograph, but the subjects can be
separated into two vertical pictures-which tends to
divide the viewer's attention

52. There are usually several ways to arrange or balance your subjects.
You may choose the style on the left because you'd like to convey a
feeling of formality-or you may prefer the more relaxed informal
pose. They're both well balanced

53. Framing
What we mean is to frame the
center of interest with objects
in the foreground.

54. This can give a picture the feeling of depth it needs to
make it more than just another snapshot

55. Whether or not you use a frame for a picture
will depend on each new subject

56. The Washington Monument on the left is composed in the center
without a frame. The picture on the right has a stronger feeling of depth
and tells a more complete story because the photographer chose an
appropriate foreground to complement the Washington Monument

57. The horses and their riders add considerable
foreground interest to this scene.

58. No matter what subjects you choose to
photograph, you should avoid mergers

59. Avoiding Mergers
Remember: we see things in three
dimensions, so it's easier than you
might guess to focus our eyes on the
principal subject only and not see
that background at all.
Avoiding mergers is our sixth
guideline for better composition

60. look for plain backgrounds before you pose your subject

61. To avoid border merger

62. Near mergers are objects or lines that are just too close to the
principal subject. In this case the ball and umbrella tip are near
mergers

63. Correct these mergers by using a low angle