Visual Composition

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Visual CompositionVisual Composition

When Framing your Shots:When Framing your Shots: Avoid Unnecessary ElementsAvoid Unnecessary Elements Observe the Rule of ThirdsObserve the Rule of Thirds BalanceBalance the Frame the Frame Maintain Maintain SimpleSimple Composition Composition Keep Elements Keep Elements OrderlyOrderly

Composition is the visual organization of the

objects in a defined area

Dominant Quadrants Leading Lines

Size Size of the elementof the element Shape Shape of the of the

elementelement BrightnessBrightness of the of the

elements elements Color Color of the elementof the element

Visually emphasize one element over others by using contrast in the:

Depth of Field Variables:Depth of Field Variables: FFrame Raterame Rate AAperture of Lensperture of Lens LLens Focal Lengthens Focal Length SSpeed of Filmpeed of Film EExposurexposure

Use Select Focus to emphasize one element

over other elements

Asymmetrical Balance is more visually interesting

Contrast and Color are ways to emphasize elements

The Rule of Thirds helps to emphasize elements

Crop These Photos by Applying the Rule of Thirds

Aspect Ratio is the ratio of Horizontal vs. Vertical

Aspect RatiosAspect Ratios

TIP Always protect for other aspect ratios.

The boom mic that doesn’t show in 1.85 : 1 will be clearly

visible in 1.33 : 1

Compose your frame for the correct Aspect Ratio

Special care needs to be taken when framing widescreen images

Visual CompositionVisual CompositionPan and Scan is the technique of adapting 16x9 video to fit a 4x3 monitor.

Often, it is possible to crop the 16x9 frame into two 4x3 medium closeups.

The Rule of Thirds applies to 16x9 frames as well

Visual CompositionVisual CompositionPlacing

important picture

elements near the edge of

the frame can be an

effective compositional

Allow ample leading room for moving subjects

Leading Lines help direct the viewer’s attention

A combination of composition techniques can be used in a single image

In video, “Staging” is known as “Camera Blocking” and it applies to the relative placement of the actors

There are several ways to create the illusion of depth

The illusion of depth can be created by shooting with a wide lens and from a low camera angle

Framing with foreground elements also helps to create the illusion of depth

Framing with architectural elements also helps to create the illusion of depth

Windows can be used to frame a scene and to help create the illusion of depth

The opposite effect is created by using a telephoto lens which flattens the image

Visual CompositionVisual Composition• A A FrameFrame is like a unit of sound – an is like a unit of sound – an essential building block of languageessential building block of language that is usually too small to deliver athat is usually too small to deliver a message by itselfmessage by itself• An An ImageImage is like a word is like a word• A A ShotShot (a continuously evolving stream (a continuously evolving stream of images) is like a sentenceof images) is like a sentence• A A SceneScene is like a paragraph – It is is like a paragraph – It is composed of several shots andcomposed of several shots and conveys meaning about a single topicconveys meaning about a single topic

The Extreme Long Shot is usually referred to as The Extreme Long Shot is usually referred to as an Establishing Shotan Establishing Shot

Shot Types

Long Shot Long ShotExtreme Long Shot

The Full Shot is also known as a Wide ShotThe Full Shot is also known as a Wide Shot

Shot TypesFull ShotMedium Long Shot

Shot Types

Medium ShotThree Quarter Shot

The Medium Shot is also known as a Waist-up ShotThe Medium Shot is also known as a Waist-up Shot

Shot Types

CloseupMedium Closeup

The Medium Closeup is also known as a Bust ShotThe Medium Closeup is also known as a Bust Shot

Shot Types

Extreme CloseupBig Closeup

The Big Closeup is also known as a ChokerThe Big Closeup is also known as a Choker

Shot Types

This shows the frames of the assorted shots

Shot Types

Bird’s-Eye ViewVertical Angle Shot Names

Relation of the Camera to the Subject on Y AxisRelation of the Camera to the Subject on Y Axis

Shot Types

Neutral AngleHigh Angle

Neutral Angle should always be used unless requested by Neutral Angle should always be used unless requested by the DP or Director to convey a message about the talentthe DP or Director to convey a message about the talent

Shot Types

Worms-Eye ViewLow Angle

Low angle conveys a message of admirationLow angle conveys a message of admiration

Visual Composition

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