This document discusses the rules of composition in photography. It begins by quoting two photographers who argue that rules prevent progress and that there are no rules for good photographs. It then defines composition as the arrangement of elements in a work of art to form a harmonious whole. The rest of the document lists various compositional techniques for photographers to consider when taking pictures such as subject matter, camera position, use of negative space and the rule of thirds. It encourages breaking rules at times and ends by providing the author's Flickr page for more information.

1. THE RULES OF
COMPOSITION
BY PETER HALL

2. “Rules are foolish, arbitrary, mindless things that
raise you quickly to a level of acceptable
mediocrity, then prevent you from
progressing further”
The Art of Photography, Bruce Barnbaum

3. “There are no rules for good photographs, only
good photographs”
Ansel Adams

4. What is composition ?
“an arrangement of the parts of a work of art so
as to form a unified, harmonious whole”
The Art of Photography, Bruce Barnbaum

5. What is your photograph of ?
• A thing ?

6. What is your photograph of ?
• A place ?

7. What is your photograph of ?
• A person ?

8. What is your photograph of ?
• An event ?

9. What is your photograph of ?
• Nothing at all ?

10. “a good photograph is knowing
where to stand” Ansel Adams
• Where do I stand ?
If you stand where everyone else is, you will
take the same photograph
• Where do I look ?
When everybody is looking up – look down
• Which way do I hold my camera ?
Still (usually)

11. A contradiction 1 – fill the frame

12. A contradiction 2 – negative space

13. The only unbreakable rule ?

14. The only unbreakable rule ?
• Straight horizons !

15. Except when you break it...

16. Oh no, it’s...

17. Oh no, it’s...the rule of thirds

24. Selective focus

27. Lead in lines

28. Lead in lines - direction

29. The S Curve

30. Foreground

31. Framing within the frame

32. Juxtaposition

33. Square

34. Panorama or ‘letter box’

35. Symmetry

36. Diptych

37. Odd numbers (the preference for 3)

38. Repeating patterns

39. Simplicity

40. http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterphotographic/