The document discusses several compositional techniques used in photography: The rule of thirds involves imagining the image divided into nine equal sections and positioning the subject at the intersecting points to create visual interest. Leading lines guide the eye to the primary subject through the use of natural lines in the environment. Diagonal lines imply movement and draw the eye through the photo. Framing places the subject within existing outlines or frames within the boundaries of the photo. Filling the frame involves getting close to the subject to maximize use of the frame without needing to crop. Repetition uses repeated visual elements to unify the image, and symmetry creates balance through identical halves of the photo.

1. Photography and Digital
Manipulation
Robbie Hickman
1
Reading Photographs

2. Photographic Knowledge Test
2

3. Rule of Thirds
How is this compositional technique used?
The rule of thirds is a photographic principle which is useful for capturing images in a
balanced and eye-catching manner. It revolves around imagining the image being divided
into nine equal sections by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced
vertical lines, and then positioning the primary subject on the intersecting points. Placing
the subject in this manner is a good way to create tension and evoke interest because the
subject is not shown in the centre of the image despite the fact that he is the primary focus.
There are a total of four intersecting points where the lines cross as shown above. Any
other elements are either positioned along the lines themselves or made to flow in a linear
way from section to section. Another way to use the rule of thirds principle is to divide the
frame into thirds e.g. foreground, middle-ground and background.

4. Leading Lines
How is this compositional technique used?
Leading Lines is a compositional technique that is used to guide the customer’s eye to the
primary focus of an image; this is accomplished through the utilization of natural lines e.g.
handrails or the edges of pathways which are naturally positioned so that they guide the
eye of the customer to the focal point of the image (usually at the centre and positioned
some distance away). The customer is attracted to the apparent lines within the image
which seem to lead directly to the principle subject; this shows that leading lines help to
pave an easy path for the eye to follow. Other natural elements that can guide the
customer’s eye are roads, fencing etc. The subject may or may not be conveniently
positioned at the point where these leading lines intersect; thus proving that all apparent
lines within the image lead directly to the subject.

5. Diagonal Lines
How is this compositional technique used?
In comparison to leading lines, diagonal lines are quite different; they refer to a
compositional technique which is used with the purpose of implying the movement of a
subject and drawing the customer’s eye through the aspects of the photograph. Diagonal
lines can sometimes intersect and have the potential to suggest perspective within an
image i.e. approach the subject in a particular attitude and depict them in various ways.
They can also add a dynamic look and feel to an image because they create the impression
that the primary subject is actually walking or running in a certain direction. This also
creates a strong sense of action within the image. Diagonal Lines can appear on brickwork,
on handrails (as shown above) and on hills from a distance.

6. Framing
How is this compositional technique used?
Framing is a typical compositional method to use in photography. It simply revolves around
‘framing’ the principle subject so that an impression is created of an ‘image within an
image’. This is accomplished by capturing an image of a subject, location etc. within pre-
existing outlines positioned within the boundaries of the photograph itself. These outlines
could be doors, windows etc. and, as shown above, the subject is photographed whilst
being positioned inside the outlines of the window on the door. This helps to create a
strong impression of a frame with the subject inside it.

7. Filling the Frame
How is this compositional technique used?
Filling the Frame means utilizing the frame the photographer has got to get close to their
subjects. It revolves around getting as close as possible to the subject whilst effectively
making as much use of the frame as possible; this would benefit the image because it
ensures the photographer does not have to crop the image continually in Photoshop which
could have a potential impact on its overall quality. In essence, the photographer has
zoomed in as much as possible so that the head and shoulders of the subject fill the image
in a close-up manner. Some of the background is still visible, however the subject is the
principle focus.

8. Repetition
How is this compositional technique used?
In photography, repetition is defined as repeated visual elements appearing within a
photograph; this allows the photographer to unify the total effect of a work whilst creating
a strong sense of rhythm within the image. The overall result is that the image is visually
appealing to the customer’s eye because it consists of specific kinds of patterns e.g. tiles,
similar looking people and structures in a town. Sometimes, images can stand out if the
patterns within the image are interrupted e.g. one subject stands out due to wearing
different coloured clothing compared to everyone else in the image. This helps to create
contrast within the image and also helps to ensure that a particular subject stands out.

9. Symmetry
How is this compositional technique used?
Symmetry is defined as both halves of an image being identical to each other, with little
difference regarding the aspects of the two halves when compared. It is almost as if one
half of the image reflects onto the other, and that a mirror is positioned exactly in the
centre of the image. The technique is very effective because it creates balance within an
image; all visual elements are distributed in an even manner. If the visual elements of an
image are not evenly distributed in both halves, the image will not be balanced. When this
occurs, the image is referred to as asymmetrical.

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