Elements of Composition Digital Photography Guidelines Not Rules

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Elements of Composition Digital Photography

Elements of Composition Digital Photography

Guidelines – Not Rules • They should always be considered guidelines, not rules. •

Guidelines – Not Rules • They should always be considered guidelines, not rules. • Composition is an art, not a science

Fill the Frame • Technique used to make the photograph interesting • Sports shots

Fill the Frame • Technique used to make the photograph interesting • Sports shots come alive showing details.

Fill the Frame

Fill the Frame

Leading the Subject

Leading the Subject

Looking Space (direction of movement)

Looking Space (direction of movement)

Looking Space

Looking Space

Rule of Thirds (TICK-TACK-TOE) Place interesting elements at the intersection of the gridlines.

Rule of Thirds (TICK-TACK-TOE) Place interesting elements at the intersection of the gridlines.

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Color • Bright colors can add vibrancy, energy and interest – however in the

Color • Bright colors can add vibrancy, energy and interest – however in the wrong position they can also distract viewers from an image away from focal points.

Lighting/Colors=Mood • Colors also greatly impact mood. Blues and greens can have a calming

Lighting/Colors=Mood • Colors also greatly impact mood. Blues and greens can have a calming soothing impact, reds and yellows can convey vibrancy and energy etc.

Horizontal and Vertical Lines

Horizontal and Vertical Lines

Straight Lines = Dignity, Strength

Straight Lines = Dignity, Strength

Curved Lines = Grace, Beauty

Curved Lines = Grace, Beauty

Framing • Used to help highlight the main point of interest of an image.

Framing • Used to help highlight the main point of interest of an image. It gives the image depth.

Frame Central Subject Matter

Frame Central Subject Matter

Perspective • This composition is a Point of View – It is a shot

Perspective • This composition is a Point of View – It is a shot taken from another element that can have a big impact upon the image. • Changing the camera position – Bird’s view (above subject) – Worm’s view (sitting on floor) – Emphasizing different point of interest, angles, textures, shapes, etc.

Perspective

Perspective

Mergers 8. Avoid Mergers – Tonal mergers • Too much of same color –

Mergers 8. Avoid Mergers – Tonal mergers • Too much of same color – Dimensional mergers • Light post out of subjects head – Border mergers • Subject cut off by frame, • Car shot, but can’t see wheels

Dimensional Mergers

Dimensional Mergers

Border Mergers

Border Mergers

Depth of Field Concepts • Depth of field refers to the amount of the

Depth of Field Concepts • Depth of field refers to the amount of the scene which is in focus in your photo. • A large depth of field will result in a photo which is mostly in focus, while a shallow depth of field will result in a band of focus with blurred regions in front and behind. DOF is Affected by: • Aperture size • Focal length (zoom) • Distance from the subject

Pixels – what are they? ? • The word is a combination of PICture

Pixels – what are they? ? • The word is a combination of PICture and Element – pixel! • The smallest piece of information in an image • The more pixels used to repreesnt an image, the closer the result can resemble the original • This diesn’t mean you need an 8 MP camera to take a good picture!

Megapixels Image in Pixel Sixe Pro Quality Print Size 2. . 0 1600 x

Megapixels Image in Pixel Sixe Pro Quality Print Size 2. . 0 1600 x 1200 4 in x 6 in 3. 0 2100 X 1500 5 in x 7 in 4. 0 2400 x 1800 8 in x 10 in 5. 0 2500 x 1900 9 in x 12 in 6. 0 3000 x 2000 11 in x 14 in 8. 0 4000 x 2000 12 in x 16 in

ISO International Organization for Standardization • Similar to the traditional film camera rating system,

ISO International Organization for Standardization • Similar to the traditional film camera rating system, ISO speed is determined by the camera’s imaging sensor. As in traditional film cameras, the higher the ISO, the lower the image quality. • On some cameras, this feature can be changed to your liking.

Aperture • A small, circular opening inside the lens that can change in diameter

Aperture • A small, circular opening inside the lens that can change in diameter to control the amount of light reaching the camera’s sensor as a picture is taken. The aperture diameter is expressed in f-stops; the lower the number, the larger the aperture. For instance, the aperture opening when set to f/2. 8 is larger than at f/8. The aperture and shutter speed together control the total amount of light reaching the sensor • A larger aperture passes more light through to the sensor. Many cameras have an aperture priority mode that allows you to adjust the aperture to your own liking. • In short – a larger number = a smaller hole = less light let into your camera.

Shutter Speed • The camera’s shutter speed is a measurement of how long its

Shutter Speed • The camera’s shutter speed is a measurement of how long its shutter remains open as the picture is taken. The slower the shutter speed, the longer the exposure time. When the shutter speed is set to 1/125 or simply 125, this means that the shutter will open for exactly 1/125 th of one second. The shutter speed and aperture together control the total amount of light reaching the sensor. Some digital cameras have a shutter priority mode that allows you to set the shutter speed to your liking. • In short – the longer the shutter is open = more light is let into your camera.

Macro • This setting will allow you to take pictures of objects that are

Macro • This setting will allow you to take pictures of objects that are extremely close, usually within 1 -2 feet from you and typically no closer than a few inches from the camera.

Forced Perspective

Forced Perspective