PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION TGJ3M

BOREN SINO-CANADIAN SCHOOL

DEFINITIONS

• Composition: The way in which something is put together or arranged

• Photographic Composition: The art of composing an image through framing

PHOTOGRAPHY IS AN ART, NOT A SCIENCE

• There are no fixed rules in photography, but there are guidelines to help you enhance your photos

1- RULE OF THIRDS

• This is the main rule of photographic composition

• Divide the frame into 9 equal rectangles.

• Place the important elements along one or more of the lines or where the lines intersect.

• Placing an object off center will often lead to a better photograph

2- CENTERED COMPOSITION AND SYMMETRY

• There are some times where placing the subject in the middle works well

• Place the subject in the center of the photograph if the area around it is symmetrical (the same)

3- FOREGROUND INTEREST AND DEPTH

• Including a subject in the foreground (the front)

• This gives the picture more depth

4- FRAME WITHIN A FRAME

• Look for objects to make a “natural picture frame”

• The frame does not have to surround the entire photograph to be good

5- LEADING LINES

•Use natural lines to focus attention towards an object

6- FILL THE FRAME

•“Filling the frame” is when the subject takes up the entire frame

•Filling the frame forces the viewer to look at all of the details.

7- CHANGE YOUR POINT OF VIEW

•When you take a photograph from a unique angle

•Get higher than normal or lower than normal for a unique picture

8- PATTERNS

•Objects or shapes that repeat can help create texture and visual interest

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

• Each student should take 1 GOOD photo for each of the 8 rules.

• Be creative in how you take your photos and make them count.

• The more effort you put into capturing the best image possible, the more you will get out of your practice time.

• We will examine some of your photos during the next class. Be prepared to explain how your photos follow the rules of composition.