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.