Visual composition techniques can be used to direct the viewer's eye and interpret the artist's message. Lines draw the eye into patterns and force the viewer to look where intended. Basic 2D and 3D shapes are building blocks that increase complexity when used properly. Color, texture, depth, light, and motion can be manipulated to highlight certain areas or create specific effects. Balance, emphasis, positive/negative space, proportion, repetition, and contrast are techniques that relate elements and distinguish the important aspects of the photo. Variety and harmony make images more interesting and aesthetically pleasing.

1. Visual Composition
By Desmond Baron

2. Lines
Lines are powerful pieces of art, they are
used to draw the eye into predisposed
patterns. They are important tools that when
used properly, force the viewer to look
where the artist wants them to, allowing the
picture to be interpreted properly.
Both photographs were found by searching
lines photography.
Photo 1:
http://www.takegreatpictures.com/app/web
root/content/2010_images/2007/07/31/line
s_photography_1.jpg
Photo2:
http://blog.dreamlabsolutions.com/image.ax
d?picture=2008%2F10%2Frailway.jpg

3. 2D Shapes
A major building block to
creating strong artwork, basic
2D shapes are essential to the
completion of art. Simple in
nature, when used properly they
can increase the complexity of a
piece.
Photo 1 was found by searching triangle
Photo 1: http://www.clker.com/inc/svgedit/svg-
editor.html?paramurl=/inc/clean.html?id=140958
Photo 2 was found by searching circle
Photo 2: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-
ECRyvFFkDSU/UMAuiCeOJZI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/ssrsa-
1BX9U/s1600/circle.png

4. 3D Form
Slightly more complex, 3D shapes uses another dimension to
assert itself as a form of art. Using this extra dimension it is
possible to capture a more appealing image.
Photo 1 was found by searching cube photography
Photo 1:
http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/prill/prill1110/prill11100612
9/11014815-studio-photography-of-a-light-brown-wooden-cube-
isolated-on-white-with-shadow.jpg
Photo 2 was found by searching sphere photography
Photo 2:
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_243/1204452642yh2
BSZ.jpg

5. Colour
Colour is used to contrast the image and give off a different
appeal. It is used in many pieces of photography and with it
comes a powerful image.
Both photos were found by searching colour photography
Photo 1: http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-
content/uploads/old/colour.jpg
Photo 2:
http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/4a/67/architecture,
colour,photography-
4a67eb19e4b1feb6ae02477bc41ee45c_h.jpg

6. Texture
Texture is the palpable
aspect of photography
that jumps out of the
picture. It is possible
to feel it with your
eyes, giving you the
perception that you
Both photos were found by searching can actually visualize
texture photography
Photo 1: http://www.photopoly.net/wp- how it would respond
content/uploads/29082010/7.jpg
Photo 2: http://photographylife.com/wp- to your touch.
content/uploads/2009/09/20090820-
Yellowstone-National-Park-137.jpg

7. Depth
Depth in photography
gives the viewer the
feeling that the picture is Both photos were found by searching
depth photography
not only a still frame, but Photos 1:
that they can see http://digitalshotsguide.com/images/pinh
ole-camera-picture-of-field.jpg
through it as if it is in Photos 2: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-
front of their eyes. EfGcfjzOe58/TY9xUor6FWI/AAAAAAAAAB8
/sgEGVNOYpDk/s1600/Shallow+1.jpg

8. Light
Light is used in photography to
highlight select areas while
subjugating others to live in the
background. This technique casts
shadows on an area that will
protrude more when dark, and lead
to greater contrast.
Both photos were found by searching
light photography
Photo 1:
http://webdesignledger.com/wp-
content/uploads/2010/05/lighting_photo
graphy_25.jpg
Photo 2:
http://www.photosfan.com/images/light-
photography1.jpg

9. Direction
Motion is difficult to capture, but
through the use of techniques like Both photographs were found by searching
the ones shown it is possible to motion photography
make an image seem as if it is Photo 1:
moving. http://www.guidetofilmphotography.com/p
hotos/motion-photo-panning.jpg
Photo 2:
http://people.rit.edu/andpph/photofile-
misc/strobe-motion-ta-08.jpg

10. Mass
Both photos were found by searching
visual weight in photography
Photo 1:
http://www.betterphoto.com/upload
s/processed/0824/0806100500221m
onday_visual_weight_size_and_.jpg
http://idealfstop.typepad.com/photo
s/uncategorized/2007/05/09/manito
fogsmall.jpg
It is impossible to capture
weight through a still
frame, but by putting an
emphasis on select spaces
in the picture, it can be
done to a degree.

11. Similar to lighting, Tone
the black and white
shades contrast each
other, giving focus to
the important areas
of the photo.
Both photos were found by searching black
and white photography
Photo 1:
http://media.smashingmagazine.com/imag
es/black-white-photography/61.jpg
Photo 2: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
kku9FaKzx1o/UNBBp5dPFqI/AAAAAAAAEhY
/Ps4H3hmz4VU/s1600/Eiffel-tower-paris-
black-and-white-photos-14.jpg

12. Value
Value in photography measures how dark
or light an image is. By layering this affect
it can give the impression of a more
complex photo.
Both photos were found by searching value of colour in photography
Photo 1: http://www.bz1-
img.com/images_customers/06/21/9473722_78767_full.jpg
Photo 2:
http://www.ozarks.edu/includes/images/news/RedCedarForestMontana.JPG

13. Positive and Negative Space
Positive and Negative space is
the ultimate in forcing the eye
to focus on an area specified
by the photographer. By
highlighting these areas the
viewer is able to distinguish
what the photographer
intends on showing.
Both photos were found by searching positive and
negative space in photography
Photo 1:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2834342023_bde8a
32d90.jpg
Photo 2:
http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2008/10/
negative-space-balance.jpg

14. Balance
Balance is used
to keep images
symmetrical,
adding to the
overall feel of
Both photos were found by
searching balance photography the image.
Photo 1: http://digital-
photography-school.com/wp- Although
content/uploads/2007/03/ima
ges/balance.jpg
simple, it
Photo 2: creates a
http://www.artdoxa.com/files/i
mages/artworks/0032/3599/26 deeper photo.
d6a52b8801cd408225fbb4326
736b7.jpg

15. Emphasis
Both photos were found by searching
Often times, the only way to
emphasis photography distinguish what is important
Photo 1: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-
5KxrRDV2OI/TA2UKsh5-
and what is not is to use
BI/AAAAAAAAALM/v015XtfEkMM/s160 emphasis. By emphasizing a
0/WEB_2535.jpg
Photo 2:
part of the photo, the key
http://ursispaltenstein.ch/blog/images element of the image can be
/uploads_img/bob_jensen_photograph
y_1.jpg
determined.

16. Proportion
By manipulating the
relationship between
objects in an image, it is
Both photos were found by
possible to put it out of
searching proportion photography proportion. This creates art
Photo 1:
http://gallery.photo.net/photo/40
where it otherwise
15162-lg.jpg wouldn’t be.
Photo 2:
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery
/Europe/Greece/Attica/Attiki/Athe
ns/photo819110.htm

17. Repetition
When our minds are so used to
repetition, it can become difficult to
comprehend viewing something that
isn’t so predictable. In photography,
Both photos were found by repetition can create pattern that is very
searching repetition in
photography visually appealing.
Photo 1:
http://imgsrv.worldstart.co
m/ct-
images/javalit_repitition3.jp
g
Photo 2:
http://www.sheamusburns.
com/wp-
content/uploads/2009/04/p
icket_fence_perspective.jpg

18. Both photos were found by
Unity
searching unity in
photography
Photo 1:
http://gallery.photo.net/ph
oto/9598572-md.jpg
Photo 1:
http://farm1.static.flickr.co
m/25/98361214_4aba24f8
20.jpg
By relating every aspect of an image, it unifies and
creates a bigger and better idea. This technique allows
many small pieces to create a strong and powerful
picture.

19. Contrast
By measuring two objects
Both photos were found by
searching contrast photography against each other, you
Photo 1:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/2 create contrast. Contrast
5/98361214_4aba24f820.jpg
Photo 2:
allows a photographer to
http://img.bhs4.com/27/D/27D
987CDEC48492F5EFC2A93CDA
convey what he believes in
5E333DC73F696_large.jpg important.

20. Harmony
To create beauty in a
photo, it is necessary
for all of the elements
to live together
peacefully. This is
called harmony.
Both photos were found by searching
harmony photography
Photo 1:
http://cache.desktopnexus.com/thumbnail
s/207671-bigthumbnail.jpg
Photo 2:http://justcreative.com/wp-
content/uploads/2008/03/photography/Co
lor_Harmony_by_h4nd.jpg

21. Proximity
Proximity creates a
feeling of segregation
between the important
and unimportant
elements. By using this
it draws a distinct line Both photos were found by
for the pieces to follow. searching proximity photography
Photo 1:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
Z8__qPQbxn8/Tlh-
wHUlGjI/AAAAAAAAASs/cO5REq5jE
30/s1600/macro_photography_23.j
pg
Photo 2:
http://img2.etsystatic.com/000/0/5
211017/il_fullxfull.57172478.jpg

22. Variety
Variety is what makes an image
interesting. Variety is needed to
keep the viewer from being
bored with what he is seeing. It
is necessary to combine this with
other techniques to create the
Both photos were found by best possible image.
searching variety photography
Photo 1:
http://www.scantech7.com/imag
es/Infrared%20Photo%20Abando
ned%20Home%20800%20wide.jp
g
Photo 2:
http://www.pxleyes.com/images/
contests/favorite-
quotes/fullsize/Variety-is-the-
spice-of-life-4cb5d6f65176b.jpg