Composition The Art of Seeing Images Arrangement of

Composition The Art of Seeing Images • Arrangement of elements • Relationship of elements

Part Two Visual Elements

Visual Elements • Typical Visual Elements include: • Lines • Shapes • The Spot

Visual Elements • Line: denote movement in one direction • Horizontals • Verticals • Parallel Verticals/Horizontals • Curved or S-shaped lines • Diagonals • Irregulars

Linear elements • Diagonal lines are dynamic; curved lines are flowing and graceful – such as roads, waterways, a fence and shadows • You can often find the right line by moving around and choosing an appropriate angle – natural lines of the scene lead the viewers' eyes into the picture and toward your main center of interest

Function of Lines • Lines help the viewer to read the image • Help viewer to locate key contrasts • Add visual interest • Guide the viewer in a certain direction

HORIZONTALS • Add stability to photo, imply COOL or RESTFUL

Parallel Vert. / Horz. Lines • Suggest: Symmetry, Order, or Direction

Parallel Vert. / Horz. Lines

Verticals • Can suggest WARMTH or AGGRESSIVENESS • Intersection of vertical and horizontal lines create FOCAL POINTS

Verticals

Curved or S-Shaped Lines • Most Natural appearing, evoke natural rhythms, and feelings of slow, easy movement

Curved or S-Shaped Lines

Diagonals • Neither warm or cool • Most naturally occur from Lower Left to Upper Right • Falling Diagonals move Down and Off picture

Diagonals

Irregular Lines • Varying size, thickness, shape, & texture • Provides visual interest

Irregular Lines

SHAPES • Five basic forms or SHAPES in photography – – – Squares Triangles Circles Oblongs Irregular

Squares & Triangles

Squares

Circles & Oblongs

Circles & Oblongs

Circles & Oblongs

Contrast • more impact – light subject placed against a dark background and vice versa – Contrasting colors

Contrast & The Spot • One “spot” that commands the viewer’s attention • Focal point of contrasting masses

The Spot

Other Compositional Tools • Lines of Direction – Actual & Psychological – Directs movement of eye through image • Shape & Form – Shape is flat, two-dimensional – Repeated shapes can form a shape – Form refers to volume, its 3 -D • Depth—Lines of Perspective – Parallel lines converge in distance – Gives sense of depth to photo

Direction of movement • leave space in front of the subject – it appears to be moving into, rather than out of, the image

Lines of Direction

Shape & Form

Repeated Shape

Repeated Shape

Form, Shadow, & Light • Shadows coming towards the viewer implies the “third” dimension

Depth: Lines of Perspective

Depth: Lines of Perspective

Rule of Thirds • One of the most popular 'rules' in photography and art – principle taught in fine art, graphic design and photography • based on theory that the eye goes naturally to a point about two-thirds up the page – achieve the informal or asymmetric balance mentioned above

Rule of Thirds • Imaginary lines are drawn dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically – important elements placed where these lines intersect – also arrange areas into bands occupying a third or place things along the imaginary lines • simple to implement

Rule of Thirds • The Greeks developed the concept of the “Golden Mean” • Divide the image into grid of 1/3 s • Place subject at one of intersecting lines

Rule of Thirds or Golden Mean

Some Examples

Some Examples

Some Examples

Rule of Thirds • Common example is the placement of the horizon line in landscape photography

If the area of interest is land or water • Horizon line will usually be twothirds up from the bottom • To suggest closeness, position the horizon high in your picture

If the sky is the area of emphasis • Horizon line may be one-third up from the bottom, leaving the sky to occupy the top two-thirds • To accent spaciousness, keep the horizon low in the picture

Breaking the Rule of Thirds • Once you have got the hang of the Rule of Thirds – you will very quickly want to break it – This is fine • 'rules' are best used as guidelines • if you can create a better image by bending or ignoring rules then fire away

Breaking the Rule of Thirds

Framing - Foreground objects • Add a sense of depth to the picture – helps establish scale • use the foreground elements to "frame" your subject – Overhanging tree branches, a doorway, or an arch can give a picture the depth – something in the foreground that leads you into the picture or gives you a sense of where the viewer is

Framing - Foreground objects

Framing - Foreground objects

Framing - Foreground objects

Framing • Don't forget that you can turn cameras sideways – vertical for tall buildings, waterfalls, or a person – horizontal for groups of people, cars, and dachshunds • Switch it around – Try both horizontal and vertical pictures of the same subject

Framing the Image • In-camera: – Horizontal – Vertical

Framing the Image • Out-of-Camera:

Concludes Composition References: • Photography, 7 th Ed. , by London, Upton, Kobre, Brill • Photography, 2 nd Ed. , by Bruce Warren • Foundations of art & design, 3 rd Ed. , by Mark Galer