The 3 Steps of Composing a Photograph

1. Subject Placement:A-Decide if you will shoot with landscape or portrait perspective.

B-Decide what the 1 MAIN SUBJECT (Emphasis) will be on

your canvas and decide where on the frame you will place

the emphasis.

C- Decide on the possible use of the following creativity options:

-Cut-off – Subject getting cut-off by 1,2,3 or 4 sides of the canvas

-% of Canvas used on Emphasis

-Fragmentation? – Will you show the whole subject or only part?

-Rule of Thirds – Will you use this technique and how?

2. Background Sweep: A. 2D or 3D? Will your photo use depth in it or will you have the

emphasis against a depthless background (person against a

wall, sweep, etc…)

B. Emphasis Challengers – Rid your canvas of any elements of the

image that compete for Emphasis in the image ( A dominating

color, a bright light, Straight or eye catching lines, Very busy

scenery, etc…)

C. Mood Makers – Are there any interesting textures / patterns /

surfaces you can make use of? Are they distracting or does it

help the feel of the canvas?

D. Depth of Field? - Will you shoot with Shallow or Deep depth of

field? Does this help emphasis or create more distractions?

3. Packin’ In the Creativity:

A.Angle / Perspective – Will you venture away from the portrait or landscape angles? What height will you shoot from? What distance? What side of the subject is the most interesting?

B.Light – Will you shoot in High Key or Low Key? Will you use artificial light or natural / ambient light sources or a combination? Can light be used to emphasize or create interest?

C.Cropping Later? - Try to think outside of the “box” or rather – the 5 x 7 proportions that a camera shoots in. Will you make the image a square? A Vertical or Horizontal Panoramic? A circle? How will this change the composition? Will the photo be cut up into Montage?

D.What else can you do to make this Photo interesting? Does it have a “Hook”?

COMPOSING A PHOTOGRAPHASSIGNMENT:In groups of 2-3 people, go and take several pictures that display

the following:a. Take a photo of an object, a person or a landscape that is a quick, thoughtless snapshot. b. Then take a 2nd photo of the same content that is

“COMPOSED”. (Keep in mind all of the components of composition)-angle -light -rule of thirds

-emphasis -use of lines -background -emotion -center of interest -subject placement -framing -only giving a fragment to spark imagination, etc... Try to improve the snapshot as best you can in your 2nd photo

using any number of composition techniques!c. Take a 3rd photo that practices ONE other specific composition

technique not used in part b.

All members in your group can help you compose your photo if you would like!

Composition Assignment Details

• Part1– Create a 8.5 x 11 inch canvas and place all 3

photos on the canvas. Enhance all and print.

Part2- Choose your best example of strong

composition from the photos you took. Create an 8x 10 photo and set the resolution to 225ppi. Save and Print

• You will be evaluated on the quality of your compositions and the technical production of the prints.