Photo CompositionWeek Four – DACC Basic Photography

What Makes a Good Photo?

CompositionSome of the basic theories (some say rules)

Rule of Thirds The Rule of Thirds is

based on the fact that the human eye is naturally drawn to a point about two-thirds up (or down) a page.

Rule of Thirds - examples

Thirds – cont.

Golden Rule (of Thirds) It has been found that certain

points in a picture's composition automatically attract the viewer's attention.

Similarly, many natural or man-made objects and scenes with certain proportions (whether by chance or by design) automatically please us.

Leonardo da Vinci investigated the principle that underlies our notions of beauty and harmony and called it the Golden Section.

Creating Balance Many times, a smaller

object can counter balance a larger object within a composition

Examples of Balance

More Balance

Framing the subject Use the edge of the

scene to draw attention to the subject.

Examples of Framing the Subject

More Framing

Provide a path through your image Give the viewer a way

to start viewing your photo, and then through composition, their eyes are drawn through your photo.

Bring Viewer through your photo

More examples

Work in Diagonals One side of the picture

is divided into two. Then place a corridor along this dividing line. According to the Diagonal Rule, important elements of the picture should be placed along these diagonals.

Diagonals

Repetitiveness Photographing things

that show repetition usually makes for interesting photographs

Repetitive Photos

Use your own ideas Don't be afraid of breaking rules!

As Edward Weston said, "Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk."

The Masters of PhotographyYou Decide

Ansel Adams Photographer of the Natural West Large Format Photographer Member of the f-64 group Take a look at his photos

Edward Weston Large Format Photographer Member of f-64 group Photographed set-up shots and the natural

scene The Family has carried on the tradition Check out some of his photos

Dorothea Lange Documentary Photography Photojournalism One of first artists working for FSA Check out some of her photos

Richard Avedon Fashion Photographer Have you seen the movie “Funny Girl” Large formats, exotic sets Check out his pictures

Art Sinsabaugh Studied at Art Institute of Chicago Founded the U of I’s photography department Specialized in panoramic “Circuit Camera”

Photography Check out his photographs

Life Magazine Photographers Brought History and current events through

photos to the public Check out some of their photos

Other Photographers of Note Anne Geddes Annie Leibovitz Henri Cartier-Bresson W. Eugene Smith Diane Arbus Harry Callahan

The last can go on… Paul Strand Edward Steichen Andre Kertesz Robert Maplethorpe Alfred Steigletz Imogene Cunningham Jerry Uelsmann Walker Evans Leon Kemmener Marty Zucker

Friends and Colleagues Bruce Huff Clark Brooks Chuck Cannady Lou McClellan Larry KanferAnd Former Students: Becky Brown Mike List

Pop Bowman Dallas Bowman Dale Dowers John Milewski Matt Huber Orvil Stokes Rich Stefaniak Wilmer Zehr Rick Danzel