PHOTOGRAPHY JOURNALISM The Basic Rules of Photography 1

PHOTOGRAPHY JOURNALISM

The Basic Rules of Photography 1. Focus on your subject 2. Employ the Rule of Thirds 3. Use lines to draw attention to the subject 4. Frame your subjects 5. Try changing your viewpoint. Change the angle 6. Avoid Mergers!

1. SIMPLICITY KEEP THE FOCUS ON YOUR SUBJECT –avoid clutter

Which features a clearer subject? The cactus is the main subject. And by moving in closer and using the plain sky as the background, we have simplified and improved the appearance of this photograph.

Hans Staub In front of the kindergarten

Aaron Siskind Savoy Ballroom

Carol Guzy Volcanic Mudslide in Columbia

Max Desfor A pair of bound hands and a breathing hole in the snow reveal a body buried in the snow and left to die by retreating communists during the Korean War

2. RULE OF THIRDS

1. The subject is off centre 2. The eye is drawn to the top left corner 3. Footprints lead eye to the subject 4. Shadow adds to photo

1. Horizon is in top third 2. Subject is not centred. 3. “S” curve is aesthetically appealing

A CENTRED SUBJECT

Same subject: off centre and horizon shifted

A vector is a line indicating direction and motion. Note that the sailboat to the right appears to be moving into the picture. THINK VECTORS!

Michael Macor San Francisco Earthquake

Iraq

Carolyn Cole Children enjoy a bucket of water in war torn Liberia where the number of orphans topped 10, 000. 2004

Even portraits may be better if the subject is not centred.

Matt Rainey Emotional photographs that illustrate the recovery of two students burned in Seton Hall University dormitory fire.

Andrea Mohin 9 -11

George Kochaniec Columbine 2000

Columbine

David Leeson / Cheryl Meyer Squad leader stands at attention as troops pay last respects to a fallen comrade in Baghdad. 2004

3. USE OF LINES Natural lines like a road or fence can lead the viewer to focus on your subject.

Vertical lines emphasize power, strength, and height. Horizontal lines express stability and width. Diagonal lines express dynamic energy. Curving lines express sensuality.

This photo employs both the rule of thirds and the effective use of lines

George Barnard Charleston Railway Depot

Vertical Lines = Power and Strength

Ansel Adams - rule of thirds - use of curves - placement of horizon

Cornell Capa New York Steelworkers Bolshoi Ballet

4. FRAMING Note: Rock frames structure. Note: Horizon is not in centre of picture.

Purpose is to show height of monument Monument is framed and includes subject and depth

1. Rule of thirds 2. Horizon is in lower third 3. Subject is framed

Marc Riboud A street in old Beijing

Russell Lee Migrant child returning home from the fields

5. VIEWPOINT

Paul Vathis JKF and Eisenhower discuss Bay of Pigs

Jean Gaumy Iran’s Chadored Warriors

CANDID PHOTOS

CANDIDS Unposed pictures of people, often taken without the subject`s knowledge. These usually appear more natural and relaxed than posed pictures

“The Kiss” -Victory Day Alfred Eisenstaedt

GET CLOSE!

Leonard Freed Suspect in a Police Car

6. AVOID MERGERS In the photo on the left, a tree appears to be growing out of the subjects head.

SPORTS AND ACTION PHOTOGRAPHS

The eye naturally follows the direction of the subject In this picture, it looks like the runner is leaving the scene. The scene is not so readily noticed. Action subjects should always be moving into the scene. This way the viewer notes both the setting and the subject.