Basic rules of photo composition

1. Photo composition

2. Composition
• When looking for a photograph, these are the key aspects
to look at through your viewfinder.
• Photos can be a combination of multiple rules of
composition or just one.
• Regardless, following each rule will bring out a better, or
more unique, photo.

3. Rule of Thirds
• The most basic of
all composition,
yet the most
important.
• Is simply breaking
up your
viewfinder into
nine squares, three
horizontal and
three vertical.

11. Leading Lines
• Our eyes are naturally drawn to line and skim start to
finish.
• The lines can direct us to a subject or on a journey.
• Lines can consist of straight, diagonal, curvy, zigzag or
radial/spiral lines.

18. Symmetry and patterns
• Symmetry-either both the left and right sides are identical
or top and bottom.
• Symmetry can bring our focus to a specific point.
• Patterns-a repeated subject; can be circular, linear, etc.
• Both may be the only time the middle part of the rule of
thirds is the most interesting.

24. Foreground/Middle/Back
ground
• Used to bring focus to particular subjects, in the front,
middle and/or back of the photo.
• Goal is to avoid having busy, unnecessary elements in a
photo.
• Can be done in two ways:

25. FMB

31. Framing
• A combination of almost every composition.
• Similar to FMB as it puts focus on a particular subject.
• Also, similar to the symmetry/pattern, is a point of
emphasis, surrounded by a symmetrical, or patterned,
background.
• If done right, your eye will be naturally drawn to the
subject.
• Is a natural frame.