Six Guidelines for Good Composition

Vocabulary:

Composition Simplicity Rule of Thirds Lines Balance Framing Mergers

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•The art of seeing as a photographer means that you need to look at what you are photographing, and select those objects you want in the picture.

•Think about what you want to “say” with a photograph. Photographs sometimes they make you laugh or feel sad without using words. Photographs have the power to make people feel a certain way – they can be very expressive.

•Good composition is used in all areas of art and architecture.

•Plan your composition!

Composition in Photography

What is a composition?A composition is the “pleasing selection and arrangement of subjects within the picture area.

Let’s look at pictures where the objects in the picture area have been selected and arranged.

Remember…Composition is the pleasing selection and arrangement

of subjects or objects within the picture area.

Rule #1 Simplicity: arranging objects and selecting a point of view to focus on the main subject.

Simplicity is achieved by:

1. Focusing on one object

2. Getting very close

3. Avoiding distracting backgrounds.

Rule #2 Rule of Thirds: Place the main subject in the upper, lower, or outside third of the picture area.

Is the focal point at 1/3?

…and not centered?

Rule #3Lines: can be the focus of a photo. They can add drama to the photo, or be used to direct your eye to a special place in the photo.

Many photographers use the “S” curve line in their pictures.

“S” and “C” curves add a beauty and calmness.

Diagonal lines are dynamic and create energy.

Rule #4 Balance: when both sides are of equal importance, it helps a picture look complete. It can be formal or informal. An unbalanced photograph might look like the subjects are off center, or cut off.

Informal & Formal Balance

• Formal balance: both sides are the same and of equal importance.

• Informal balance: sides are not the same, but become equal.

Balance can be achieved by adding space around the subject (and arranging) them, will give you a better photo-graph. Now we have a more satisfactory photograph.

Rule #5 Framing: occurs when you place your main subject between, or inside other objects.

Notice how nicely the trees frame the mountain in this photo by Ansel Adams.

Look for something close to frame something in the distance.

#6 Avoid Mergers: We really don’t want a tree growing out of the woman’s head!

A Merger also happens when you cut off part of your subject. Oops, he seems to have lost his head and is cut by the wire.

To fix, the photographer moved, not the subject!

So…follow the guidelines for a good photographic

composition!

A composition is the pleasing selection and arrangement of subjects or objects

within the picture area.

The following guidelines help us make good compositions:

1. Simplicity

2. Balance

3. Rule of Thirds

4. Framing

5. Lines

6. Avoid Mergers

What is Perspective?

What is Depth?

• Depth shows distance from one object or area to another

• Perspective is the tool used to show depth. Closer objects are larger and objects farther away appear smaller.

Objectives

• You will be two projects within photography– With the substitute next Thursday and Friday you will

be looking through magazines to find the 6 guidelines to a good composition. You will be making a sheet that demonstrates and describe the 6 guidelines.

– You will take pictures around and in the school that capture perspective. This can be done with a vanishing point or with trick photography. Students will need to turn in 3 different photos (that demonstrate knowledge of the 6 guidelines.) We will be making a photo accordion with the images.

6 Ps of Photography• Polite – do not disturb any classes or students in the hall• Produce – stay focused on the task and get your 20

pictures taken in the 30 minute time period• Participate – do not just wonder as a group, go off and

complete your assignment• PMA – be in the moment, have fun, be creative• Prompt – you must be in the lab at the requested time in

order to receive credit for assignment• Prepared – mentally and physically prepared to work. Lots

of work in a short amount of time.