Rules of Composition

Composition• Composition is the placement or arrangement of

visual elements (or ingredients) in a work of art, in order to make the artwork more pleasing and interesting to look at. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art.

“Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph, is like consulting the laws of gravity

before going for a walk.”

- Edward Weston

Rules (Guidelines) of Composition

•Rule of Thirds•Rule of Odds•Rule of Simplification•Rule of Framing•Rule of Cropping•Rule of Leading Lines•Rule of Viewpoint•Rule of Overlapping

DefinitionsRule of Thirds is a very important compositional technique for making photos and artwork more interesting to look at by placing the area of interest and/or subject within the upper, lower, left, or right third of a composition.

Rule of Odds suggest that photos or artwork are more visually appealing when there is an odd number of subjects rather than an even number.

Rule of Simplification is a technique of simplifying a composition to only the most essential elements in order to support the area of interest in an artwork or photograph.

Rule of Framing is a compositional technique that will isolate the area of interest from the rest of the image, leading the viewer's eyes straight to the place you want it to go.

Rule of Cropping is a compositional technique that can drastically change the overall composition of a photograph or piece of artwork. It can eliminate background "noise", ensuring the area of focus gains the viewer’s attention.

Definitions (continued)Rule of Leading Lines is a compositional technique that can create visual movement and move a viewer’s eye in and out of a photograph or artwork’s composition. Leading lines dramatically affect the way an image is viewed, dragging the viewer into the picture, near the subject, or on a journey around the composition itself. There are many different types of line - straight, diagonal, curvy, zigzag, radial etc - and each can be used to enhance the visual appeal of a composition.

Rule of Viewpoint is a technique that can greatly impact a composition, and as a result it can greatly affect the message that an artwork or photograph conveys or impact the level of interest within a composition. For example, instead of simply taking a photograph from eye level, consider photographing from multiple positions in relation to the subject and/or area of interest, such as high above, down at ground level, from the side, from the back, from a long way away, from very close up, and so on.

Rule of Overlapping is a technique that suggest objects that are overlapped will create a sense of harmony and unity within a composition.

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Odds

Rule of Simplification

Rule of Framing

Rule of Cropping

Rule of Leading Lines

Rule of Viewpoint

Rule of Overlapping