Composition Concepts & Guidelines

1. Composition
The basic Concepts rules of Composition.

2. What is Composition?

3. Composition is:
• A musical score
• Something you write for English class
• Organic substance used in farming
• Arrangement of visual elements

4. Composition
The word composition means combining or
putting together parts to form a whole.
Composition can apply to many works of
human endeavor, in fact anything that is
arranged or ‘put together’ using conscious
thought.

5. The modern camera is
capable of many things
• auto focus
• auto exposure
– select a suitable shutter
speed or aperture
• multitude of other
functions

6. One thing no camera can do
• Compose the
image
– It has no idea
what it is
pointing at
– it has no idea
what you are
trying to achieve

7. Good images result from:
• Careful
attention to
some basic
elements of
composition
• Appropriate
lighting
• Interesting
subject

8. No "right" way to take a picture
• Three photographers recording same scene may create
equally appealing photographs with entirely different
composition
•"There are no rules for good photographs,
there are only good photographs.“
- Ansel Adams

9. Important question to ask
• "What message
do I want to
deliver?"
– it comes down to
your ability to 'see'
a picture or
potential to create
a picture
• load of 'rules' and
techniques
– guidelines, not
hard and fast
"rules"

10. A novice can achieve good image using these guidelines
• Point of Interest
• Viewpoints
• Rule of Thirds
• Simplicity
• Background
• Space
• Triangles
• Lines
• Balance
• Symmetry
• Pattern, Repetition and Texture
Learning ‘rules’ about art can seem stifling or constricting – if all
artists just follow a set of rules then their art would look very
similar and become very boring!
Many original artists break or ‘bend’ these rules, but to do so
successfully they first had to fully understand the rules. So you
need to learn the rules first before you can break them!

11. Point of Interest
• Identify a primary
point of interest
• Compose to
emphasize most
important
element

12. Viewpoint
• Can change a picture dramatically
– moving the camera up or down or
– stepping to one side
– find an "unusual" point of view

13. 3 basic ways to adjust
viewpoint
• Physically move objects relative to
each other
– Only really works with still life photography
• Tell people to move relative to each
other or other objects
– Only works with people who can hear you

14. 3 basic ways to adjust
viewpoint
• Move
– Usually the most effective way to control
composition
– easiest and yet most important
• wander about and see if you can improve on
your original composition by changing your
viewpoint
• much difference can had by walking a few
feet

15. Viewpoint
• Study the scene from various angles or
perspectives:
– High
– Low
– Straight on
– Above
• Which of these perspectives best helps
the viewer understand your intentions?

16. Different Angles
Low Angle High Angle
© 2002 Evan DiLeo

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18. Different Angles
Pooch Level

19. The Golden Ratio and The Fibonnacci sequence are
mathematical equations that have attempted to understand the
natural pattern of nature. These theories have been used by
artists, architects, photographers, musicians and many others
throughout history to achieve ‘beauty and balance’.
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, ……
Rule of Thirds

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22. Don McCullin

23. Landscape photography often uses the rule of thirds

24. Example of Simplicity
Simplicity

25. The saying 'less is
more' applies
often in
photography.
Usually it is a good
idea to get rid of
elements and try
to keep the
composition
simple.

26. Simplicity
• Only the things you want the viewer to see
appear in the picture
• numerous objects cluttering up the
background - message lost
• can’t find an angle or framing to isolate
subject
– consider using depth of field control to keep the
background out of focus

27. What technique has the photographer used to simplify this image?
Simplicity

28. Is this picture ‘simplified’ ? If not, why not … and so what might the
photographer Joel Meyerowitz be saying about life in the modern city?

29. Uncomplicated background
• Be especially aware of what is
behind your subject
– Forced Visual Relationships
– does not compete with your
subject
– viewfinder to create a frame
of reference—like the print’s
edge
– eliminate distracting
backgrounds before you
release the shutter

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31. Rule of space
Space can help to create a sense of movement in images….

32. Space can also allow for a sense of peace in an image. This
technique is often used in landscape photography – why?

33. Closely cropped or ‘tight’ space is often used creatively in
portraiture to convey a range of emotions…

34. Rule of
Triangles
Triangles have 3 sides and
tend to form stable, solid
looking compositions.
Arnold Newman
Can you spot
any triangles?
Robert Capa

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36. Example of Lines Lines

37. Lines
Lines are found
everywhere in the
world. Lines in a
photo can be for
example roads,
rivers, a shore line
and a horizon.

38. Lines can enhance composition
and lead the eye through the
picture. Different lines express
different feelings.

39. Horizontal lines are calm,
vertical lines are strong
and diagonal lines are
dynamic.

41. Other types of lines are for
example leading lines
which lead the eye into
the subject of the photo.

42. One of the most common and
graceful lines used in
composition is called the S
curve.

43. Balance
• Asymmetric or informal
balance
– considered more pleasing
than symmetric (formal)
balance
• placing the main subject
off-center
– balancing "weight" with
other objects
• smaller or lower impact
– more dynamic and
interesting composition

44. Balance-Asymmetrical

45. Balance-Symmetrical

46. Symmetry
Symmetrical images, often by breaking the ‘rule of thirds’, can be
dynamic images with great impact

47. Repetition, Pattern & Texture
Ansel Adams: Silver Birch Trees

48. When something is repeated, it
can create a strong visual
effect.
Denise Scicluna

49. Andreas Gursky

51. Yann Bertrand

52. Andreas Gursky Paul Strand
Pattern can be used to suggest texture, or can produce an
abstract visual experience.

53. Framing Your Subject
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