7/21/2019 Composition Rules

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Composition Rules 

There are no set rules to composition (also called ‘framing’) but here are some tips to help you take better pictures

1. Framing : be aware of all elements in your picture, not just your subject (look what else is in the

frame- trees? garbage? other people? etc.)2. Rule of Thirds : imagine the view finder is divided into thirds (both horizontally and vertically).

Many say the best photos have the subject placed where the lines cross

3. Foreground and Background: Every picture has a foreground and background. Zooming in really

close focuses on the foreground and can blur the background.

4. Line of Sight: photos are much more visually appealing if they are taken from different lines of

sight (kneeling, camera on the ground, tilt, etc.) See “Camera Angles” below

5. Visual Depth: Look for elements in a photograph that “move the eye”  within the photo. For

example, looking down a staircase

6. Look for Patterns

7. Texture:   Try getting close to your subject (much better quality than if you stand back and zoom)

Camera AnglesBird’s Eye View : taking a photo from   above the subject  , looking down

High Angle: taking your photo from just above the subject looking down   (not as high as Bird’s Eye View.

Some say this makes the subject look smaller or inferior)

Extreme Close Up: taking a photo extremely close up to show added detail while keeping clarity

Low Angle: a photo that is just below the subject, looking up. This shot is used to make the subject look

larger or superior (the president is often photographed this way).

Canted Angle : A photo that is  tilted

Long Shot: a photo that is taken from far away , usually establishing setting

Medium Shot: Usually captures half of the subject

Close-up Shot: Directly focused on the subject