COMPOSITIONAL PRINCIPLES OFPHOTOGRAPHY

What does “composition” mean?● A way of guiding the viewer’s eye towards the most important elements of

your work.

● A good composition can help make a masterpiece even out of the dullest objects and subjects in the plainest of environments.

● A bad composition can ruin a photograph completely, despite how interesting the subject may be.

Use these 8 principles

Rule of Thirds (ROT)Leading LinesCropping and FramingRepetition

Also consider the following:

Color emphasisSimplifying what to exclude, what to includeAbstractPoint of View (POV) or perspective

Leading Lines

LINES can divide, unify, or accent certain parts of a composition.

Leading linesVertical linesHorizontal linesDiagonal linesS-curvesImplied lines

Leading Line & Perspective

Leading Line & Perspective

Leading Line & Perspective

S-Curves

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Framing

FramingA way to focus attention on a particular subject and to enhance the sensation of depth in a scene is to use some object or shape in the foreground as a frame within a frameMany creative possibilities include doorways, windows, archways—almost anything that lets you look through one thing at another.

Framing

Framing

Repetition

● Creates a sense of visual rhythm and harmony

● Patterns appear whenever strong graphic elements—lines, colors, shapes, or forms - repeat themselves.

● Emphasize pattern by isolating it.

Repetition

Repetition

Repetition

Repetition

Color Emphasis

•When color adds visual weight•Ask yourself - what will this image look like without color?

Color Emphasis

Color Emphasis / Point of View

Color Emphasis

Simplicity

•Avoid information overload•Remove distractions -

By zooming, or by positioning•Think about what is essential

Simplicity

Simplicity

Backlighting

Simplicity

Simplicity

Abstract

● Takes simplicity to the next level● Isolate everything so the subject becomes

almost or completely recognizable● Focus on the lines shapes colors and

textures and form

Abstract

Abstract

Point of View

● It’s about positioning yourself

Point of View

Side Lighting

Light and Shadow