Video Composition RulesVideo Composition Rules

Santha KumarSantha Kumar

Start out playing by the Start out playing by the rulesrules

HistoryHistory

Many centuries ago, artists developed Many centuries ago, artists developed rules to guide them when painting or rules to guide them when painting or positioning objects in a rectangular positioning objects in a rectangular frame. frame.

They discovered that certain They discovered that certain placements were more pleasing and placements were more pleasing and that the eye was drawn to some areas that the eye was drawn to some areas of the canvas more readily. of the canvas more readily.

You can use what they discovered to You can use what they discovered to help tell your stories more effectively. help tell your stories more effectively.

The Rule of ThirdsThe Rule of Thirds

Framing the SubjectFraming the Subject

When framing your subject, move When framing your subject, move the camera so that the prominent the camera so that the prominent subject elements fall along one of the subject elements fall along one of the third lines, preferably at a point third lines, preferably at a point where those lines intersect. where those lines intersect.

If you can't move the camera to a If you can't move the camera to a good spot, try to move the subject good spot, try to move the subject (kind of tough if you're shooting a (kind of tough if you're shooting a mountain!) mountain!)

Don't just accept whatever Don't just accept whatever happenshappens

Room at the topRoom at the top

HeadroomHeadroom refers to the amount of space refers to the amount of space between the top of a person's head and the top of between the top of a person's head and the top of your frame. your frame.

Lead them onLead them on

Lead spaceLead space refers to space in front of refers to space in front of your subject. your subject.

What's in the What's in the background?background?

Most of your shots will include background Most of your shots will include background elements that are part of the location elements that are part of the location where you're shooting. where you're shooting.

Make sure what's in the background of Make sure what's in the background of your shot doesn't draw your viewer's your shot doesn't draw your viewer's attention from your main subject. attention from your main subject. We've all seen live TV interviews, shot We've all seen live TV interviews, shot

on location, where somebody in the on location, where somebody in the background is waving or making faces background is waving or making faces at the camera. This is one type of at the camera. This is one type of distracting backgrounddistracting background you need to you need to try to avoid. try to avoid.

What's in the What's in the background?background?

Always check what's in the Always check what's in the background of the shot you are background of the shot you are framing. framing.

You might also be able to put the You might also be able to put the background out of focus by background out of focus by decreasing the decreasing the depth of fielddepth of field in in your shot. your shot.

MergersMergers

Mergers Mergers are another form of are another form of distracting background. distracting background.

Background objects or strong Background objects or strong vectorsvectors that visually merge with that visually merge with your subject can not only be your subject can not only be distracting, they can be down right distracting, they can be down right humorous. humorous.

Again, reposition the camera or the Again, reposition the camera or the subject to avoid mergers. subject to avoid mergers.