Composition The Art of Seeing Images

• Arrangement of elements

• Relationship of elements

Part One

What is Composition?

Composition is:

• A musical score

• Something you write for English class

• Organic substance used in farming

• Arrangement of visual elements

The modern camera is capable of many things• auto focus

• auto exposure

– select a suitable shutter speed or aperture

• multitude of other functions

One thing no camera can do

• Compose the image– It has no idea

what it is pointing at

– it has no idea what you are trying to achieve

Good images result from:

• Careful attention to some basic elements of composition

• Appropriate lighting

• Interesting subject

No "right" way to take a picture

• Three photographers recording same scene may create equally appealing photographs with entirely different composition

•"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.“

- Ansel Adams

Important question to ask

• "What message do I want to deliver?"

– it comes down to your ability to 'see' a picture or potential to create a picture

• load of 'rules' and techniques

– guidelines, not hard and fast "rules"

Novice can achieve good image capture with these

guidelines• Experienced photographers who

know the rules often find very creative ways to break them, with excellent results

Pre-Visualize• First, “see” your options—the

potential photograph before you• “Visualize” how the scene will look

as a print or on a monitor screen• Look through the viewfinder to

create a frame of reference—like the print’s edge

• Eliminate distracting backgrounds before you release the shutter

Viewpoint

• Can change a picture dramatically

– moving the camera up or down or

– stepping to one side

– find an "unusual" point of view

3 basic ways to adjust viewpoint

• Physically move objects relative to each other– Only really works with still life

photography

• Tell people to move relative to each other or other objects– Only works with people who can hear

you

3 basic ways to adjust viewpoint

• Move

– Usually the most effective way to control composition

– easiest and yet most important

•wander about and see if you can improve on your original composition by changing your viewpoint

•much difference can had by walking a few feet

Viewpoint• Study the scene from various

angles or perspectives:

– High– Low– Straight on– Above

• Which of these perspectives best helps the viewer understand your intentions?

Different Angles

Low Angle Low Angle High AngleHigh Angle

© 2002 Evan DiLeo© 2002 Evan DiLeo

Different Angles

Pooch LevelPooch Level

Basic Rules of Image Composition

• Point of Interest

• Fill the frame

• Viewpoint

• Simplicity

• Balance

• Framing

• Editing

Point of Interest• Identify a

primary point of interest

• Compose to emphasize most important element

Fill the frame• tendency to exaggerate viewfinder

information

– often perceive things bigger than actuality

– not to notice 'slight' distractions

Fill the frame

Move a bit closer• look round the edge of the frame and

behind your subject

• eliminate acres of space full of nothing interesting

• check for intruding “stuff”

Simplicity

• Only the things you want the viewer to see appear in the picture

• numerous objects cluttering up the background - message lost

• can’t find an angle or framing to isolate subject

– consider using depth of field control to keep the background out of focus

Uncomplicated background

• Be especially aware of what is behind your subject

– Forced Visual Relationships

– does not compete with your subject

– viewfinder to create a frame of reference—like the print’s edge

– eliminate distracting backgrounds before you release the shutter

Balance• Asymmetric or informal

balance

– considered more pleasing than symmetric (formal) balance

• placing the main subject off-center

– balancing "weight" with other objects

• smaller or lower impact

– more dynamic and interesting composition

Balance-Asymmetrical

Balance-Symmetrical

Juxtaposition

Used to create humor, interest and show size relationships

Best done with a wide-angle lens

Juxtaposition