Digital PhotographyComposition

Introduction to

Part I

Photographi

c composition is an expression of your natural sense of design.

Line … Directional Thrust: Curved, Straight. Horizontal, Vertical, and Diagonal

Shape … Naturalistic, Geometric. (the Golden Mean)

Space / Size …spatial Proportion or Scale

Value … Light, Dark.(Arial Perspective)

Color … Hue, Chroma, and Value. ( The Color Wheel)

Texture … Rough, Smooth, Soft, Hard.

Unity … Ties elements together.Harmony … Within each element and as a whole.Rhythm … Variety and Repetition, pattern.Contrast … Alternation.Dominance … Center of Interest, Focal Point

Simplicity The Rule of Thirds Golden Mean Lines Balance Framing Mergers

Focal Point Movement Pattern/Repetition Proportion

Focal Point Movement Pattern/Repetition Proportion

Unclutter The Rule of

Thirds Frame your view Get up close Look for strong

lines and shapes

Crape myrtle burr

-selecting uncomplicated backgrounds - avoiding unrelated subjects

Spatial Interest

Empty Space

Biltmore Lion

Filling the frame will help simplifythe photograph

Notice narrow depth of field

Imogen Cunningham

-divided photo into thirds, placing the center of interest in intersections.

- static and less interesting (X)

- see the full shadow

Tahiti

University of Auckland, NZ

Auckland, NZ

London

Cades Cove

Parthenon

Never cut the Horizon in half.Divide sky or water by thirds.

The Golden Mean produces a harmonic effect that is found in nature as well as in a wide variety of works of art. Artists of various periods and cultures have found that dimensions determined by this formula are aesthetically appealing.

Ansel Adams Andre Kertesz

Gt. Smoky Mountains

Brassai

Diagonal linesadd interest

*

- path for the eye to follow to the main subject

Blueberry Blossoms

Follow the diagonal lineto the subject

Spring fig leaves

A focal point at theend of a ally way adds interest.

Pantheon, Rome

repetitive lines to draw viewers' attention

London

Curved line moves the eye through the photograph

Lines can simplyadd interest and texture to a photograph.

- triangle adds strong visual unity to this picture

Triangle adds

strong visual unity.

C 2012 Julie Sikes-Speir

Continue to Composition Part II

C 2012 Julie Sikes-Speir