Photographic Composition

Basic elements of composition help strengthen all types of photographs and digital images

Quality and eye catching images are essential in publishing

Colour

There has been a tremendous amount of research on how color affects human beings and some of this research suggests that men and women may respond to colors differently. Color affects us emotionally, with different colors evoking different emotions.

Colour

Colour

The vocabulary of color includes: Hue: refers to the names of the primary colors, red, green and

blue.

Value: lightness and darkness of the color - the amount of white or black added.

Intensity: the purity or saturation of the color

Monochromatic color: use of one color where only the value of the color changes

Analogous colors: colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, e.g. yellow and green

Colour

Colour

Dominance

The main subject matter is where your eye is first drawn to and returns to.

Dominance

Subordination

Secondary objects in the photograph that can help strengthen the dominant element

Subordination

Rule of Thirds

Divide the photo into thirds both vertically and horizontally; dominant subject should usually fall onto one of the four interest areas or points you have created

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Eye Flow

Elements in individual photographs that lead the eye into and through the image

Eye Flow

Contrast

Near black areas versus white (or lighter) areas of the photograph; can be used to help bring out or emphasize the dominant element

Contrast

Mood

Every photograph should create some kind of mood, be it happy, sad, thoughtful; wait for the right moment that captures the overall feeling of the event

Mood

Leading Lines

Real or imaginary lines that lead the eye into the dominant element 

Leading Lines

Framing

Technique in which the dominant element or subject is framed by other objects

Framing

Angle of View

Think about the angle that will give you the best photograph in every shooting situation; avoid always using straight-on shots; get higher than or lower than your subjects

Angle of View

Texture

Sharp photographs should include detailed patterns so they seem very real, true to life

Texture

Rhythm

Rhythm refers to the regular repeating occurrence of elements in the scene just as in music it refers to the regular occurrence of certain musical notes over time. In photography the repetition of similar shapes sets up a rhythm that makes seeing easier and more enjoyable. Rhythm is soothing and our eyes beg to follow rhythmic patterns.

Rhythm

Balance

Balance implies that the visual elements within the frame have a sense of weight. Large objects generally weigh more than small objects and dark objects weigh more than light colored objects. A heavy weight on one side can be balanced by a lighter weight on the other side if the lighter weight is located at a greater distance from the fulcrum.

Balance

Backgrounds

In most cases keep them simple; make sure the background adds to, not distracts, from your dominant subject

Overall Simplicity

The photograph should have some kind of overall appeal, be it newsworthy or featured; usually means combining lots of these general compositional elements