Simple photojournalism Composition and storytelling 10 basic ideas

Simple photojournalism Composition and storytelling 10 basic ideas -Patrick Howe

What makes these images effective?

Overview n Composition Rule of thirds n Symmetry n Leading lines n Shape n Focus n Patterns n Textures n

Storytelling n n n Capturing emotions Creating moods Surprise/ Novelty

Rule of thirds n Definition: Important elements should be at the intersection of two equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines

Composition: Symmetry n Definition: Exactly similar parts facing each other around an axis

Shape n n It’s what we see first Accomplished by separation from background

Leading lines n n Should lead the eye toward the subject Can be straight or curved

Focus/ Simplicity n n n Make your subject the subject Can be accomplished in cropping, but better to do so in the shot itself Fill the frame with your subject Get rid of distractions Avoid cutting off important parts (heads)

Pattern n Orderly combination of shape, line, or color Pattern can help echo the character of a photo Catching attention Random patterns n Slight variation in a pattern n Pattern in common places n

Texture n n n Adds realism (sense of touch) to a photo Sharp (hard) light highlights texture Especially important for close-up and b/w shots Side lighting highlights texture Most portraits use front lighting to decrease texture on skin

Storytelling

Emotions n n Most simply: Nearly always include people Exception: Your name is Ansel Adams

Creating mood n n Overall feel of a picture Created by Perspective n Color n Focus (isolation and distance) n Weather and light n Sunrise/sunset n Misty, rainy days n Sun vs. overcast n

Depth and perspective n n Overlapping forms—overlapping objects in a picture create depth and distance Selective focusing—focusing on the foreground and blurring the background

Novelty n Tells a story; delights

Discuss the following