Visual Composition

Visual CompositionVisual Composition
When Framing your Shots:When Framing your Shots:
Avoid Unnecessary ElementsAvoid Unnecessary Elements
Observe the Rule of ThirdsObserve the Rule of Thirds
BalanceBalance the Framethe Frame
MaintainMaintain SimpleSimple CompositionComposition
Keep ElementsKeep Elements OrderlyOrderly
Composition is the visual
organization of the
objects in a defined area

Dominant Quadrants Leading Lines

SizeSize of the elementof the element
ShapeShape of the elementof the element
BrightnessBrightness of theof the
elementselements
ColorColor of the elementof the element
Visually emphasize
one element over
others by using
contrast in the:

Depth of Field Variables:Depth of Field Variables:
FFrame Raterame Rate
AAperture of Lensperture of Lens
LLens Focal Lengthens Focal Length
SSpeed of Filmpeed of Film
EExposurexposure
Use Select Focus to
emphasize one element
over other elements

Asymmetrical Balance is more visually interesting

Contrast and Color are ways to emphasize elements

The Rule of Thirds helps to emphasize elements

Crop These Photos by Applying the Rule of Thirds

Aspect Ratio is the ratio of Horizontal vs. Vertical

Aspect RatiosAspect Ratios
TIP

Aspect RatiosAspect Ratios
TIP
Always protect for other aspect ratios.
The boom mic that doesn’t show
in 1.85 : 1 will be clearly
visible in 1.33 : 1

Compose your frame for the correct Aspect Ratio

Special care needs to be taken when framing widescreen images

Pan and Scan is the
technique of
adapting 16x9 video
to fit a 4x3 monitor.
Often, it is possible
to crop the 16x9
frame into two 4x3
medium closeups.

The Rule of Thirds applies to 16x9 frames as well

Placing
important
picture
elements near
the edge of
the frame can
be an
effective
compositional
tool.

Allow ample leading room for moving subjects

Leading Lines help direct the viewer’s attention

A combination of composition techniques can be
used in a single image

In video, “Staging” is known as “Camera Blocking”
and it applies to the relative placement of the actors

There are several ways to create the illusion of depth

The illusion of depth can be created by shooting with a
wide lens and from a low camera angle

Framing with foreground elements also helps to
create the illusion of depth

Framing with architectural elements also helps to

Windows can be used to frame a scene and to help

The opposite effect is created by using a telephoto
lens which flattens the image

• AA FrameFrame is like a unit of sound – anis like a unit of sound – an
essential building block of languageessential building block of language
that is usually too small to deliver athat is usually too small to deliver a
message by itselfmessage by itself
• AnAn ImageImage is like a wordis like a word
• AA ShotShot (a continuously evolving stream(a continuously evolving stream
of images) is like a sentenceof images) is like a sentence
• AA SceneScene is like a paragraph – It isis like a paragraph – It is
composed of several shots andcomposed of several shots and
conveys meaning about a single topicconveys meaning about a single topic

The Extreme Long Shot is usually referred to asThe Extreme Long Shot is usually referred to as
an Establishing Shotan Establishing Shot
Shot Types
Long Shot Long ShotExtreme Long Shot

The Full Shot is also known as a Wide ShotThe Full Shot is also known as a Wide Shot
Shot Types
Full ShotMedium Long Shot

Shot Types
Medium ShotThree Quarter Shot
The Medium Shot is also known as a Waist-up ShotThe Medium Shot is also known as a Waist-up Shot

Shot Types
CloseupMedium Closeup
The Medium Closeup is also known as a Bust ShotThe Medium Closeup is also known as a Bust Shot

Shot Types
Extreme CloseupBig Closeup
The Big Closeup is also known as a ChokerThe Big Closeup is also known as a Choker

Shot Types
This shows the frames of the assorted shots

Shot Types
Bird’s-Eye ViewVertical Angle Shot Names
Relation of the Camera to the Subject on Y AxisRelation of the Camera to the Subject on Y Axis

Shot Types
Neutral AngleHigh Angle
Neutral Angle should always be used unless requested byNeutral Angle should always be used unless requested by
the DP or Director to convey a message about the talentthe DP or Director to convey a message about the talent

Shot Types
Worms-Eye ViewLow Angle
Low angle conveys a message of admirationLow angle conveys a message of admiration

Visual Composition

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Visual Composition