14 Composition Rules for your photography
1) The Rule of Thirds
The basic theory goes like this: the human eye tends to be more interested in images that are divided into thirds, with the subject falling at or along one of those divisions. Two ways to use the rule; divide the areas of division of what you are photographing in threes (like 1/3 ground, 1/3 trees, 1/3 sky) or the second way to use rule of thirds is to divide the photo plane into 3 equal spaces horizontally and vertically, place the object or focal point, right on the intersection of the third grid lines (as seen below). Imagine the grid below in your viewfinder, and and be sure to place the center of interest on the red intersecting points:
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Use the rule of thirds By placing the actual focal point of the photograph-the head--exactly where the imaginary thirds grid intersecting lines cross.
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Divide the view in thirds vertically and then horizontally with an imaginary grid (like a tic tac toe grid) - You would then place the subject where the division lines intersect (at the red points above).
(Your phone will show you this grid if you turn on the grid in camera settings)
(Your phone will show you this grid if you turn on the grid in camera settings)
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The OTHER WAY to use the rule of thirds is to use the space in thirds, like sky=1/3
sea=1/3 sand=1/3 |
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2) Rule of Threes (ODDS)
Rule of using three of an object
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Using three of anything is pleasing to the eye. Similar to the Rule of (ODDS): Odd numbers are always more interesting than even numbers of objects. |
FILLING THE FRAME
(WITH YOUR SUBJECT)
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3) Filling the Frame: Here, the frame refers to the edges of your photograph or the edges of the viewfinder of your camera when you are shooting. The advice to fill the frame means to get in close, to make your subject a significant portion of the final photograph. the "fill the frame" rule means that you're looking for distracting background elements and cropping them out by getting close whenever you can. For example, an image of an old woman with interesting facial lines and features who is standing on a busy street corner will probably warrant filling the frame. But if you want to capture context - say that old woman is standing in the quirky second-hand shop she's owned for 50 years - you may not want to use that "fill the frame" rule, because you'll want to capture her with her environment instead. |
4) The Rule of Simple backgrounds:
SIMPLE BACKGROUNDS
If the photograph is about an exciting subject, then try to eliminate the background, making it about your subject. |
The difference between a snapshot and a strong, compelling image can be as simple as one small step: slightly changing your perspective, or blurring out a background, or moving some out of place objects like a trash can.
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If you wish to photograph your subject in their environment check to make sure that: the background is equally as impressive as your subject, is part of the story, and adds value to the image. The left photo ABOVE has a blue sky that is a distraction, the photo right is bolder.
5) Using Triangles:
The triangular shapes here feel stable, dignified
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This triangular shape is balanced and gives the feeling of stability and power.
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This triangle feels a bit unstable... If you want to create an unstable feeling in a photograph, a quick and easy way to do this is to include an upside down triangle, or at least a triangle in a weird orientation.
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The use of Triangles in our Images Triangles are often used to signify balance. Interestingly, they can as easily be used to give the illusion of instability and therefore introduce tension or aggression in an image. Triangles are seemingly everywhere. Photographers who understand how to make use of it do so consciously...
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When you understand this, you can use them as invisible features of a photo to evoke strong feelings in the viewer. For a start triangles are ideal for creating a relation between the elements in an image. Let’s say you are photographing a group of three people. You can ask them to stand at varying distances from the camera but not in a straight line across the plane. The resulting image will show three points of interest in the image. If you join those points a triangle is formed that highlights those points of interest.
So long as you have three points of interest in a photo that don’t exist on the same line, you can easily create a triangle. It’s not about having three clear lines joining up in the photo – that would be too obvious – but about grouping points of interest.
If you want to create an unstable feeling in a photograph, a quick and easy way to do this is to include an upside down triangle, or at least a triangle in a weird orientation.
6) Leaving Space in front:
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This rule incorporates two very similar ideas: leaving breathing room and implied movement. If your subject is looking at something make sure there is some "space" for him to look into or move into... see the examples to the right
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Rule of space in front
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7) Leading Lines
The rule of leading lines says that the human eye is drawn into a photo along lines--whether they are curved, straight, diagonal or otherwise. A line - whether geometric or implied - like edges, can bring your viewer's eye into an image and take it wherever you want it to go. If your image doesn't have clear lines you will need something else to let the viewer know where to look, otherwise the eye might just drift around the image without ever landing on any one spot:
The rule of leading lines says that the human eye is drawn into a photo along lines--whether they are curved, straight, diagonal or otherwise. A line - whether geometric or implied - like edges, can bring your viewer's eye into an image and take it wherever you want it to go. If your image doesn't have clear lines you will need something else to let the viewer know where to look, otherwise the eye might just drift around the image without ever landing on any one spot:
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Rule of leading lines
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8) Diagonal Lines
Diagonal lines in particular can be useful in creating movement and drama in your image.
They can also add a sense of depth, or a feeling of infinity.
Diagonal lines in particular can be useful in creating movement and drama in your image.
They can also add a sense of depth, or a feeling of infinity.
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Rule of Pattern, diagonal lines, texture, leading lines
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Rule of using texture to create dimention
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9) Using Texture
Texture is another way of creating dimension in a photograph. By zooming in on a textured surface - even a flat one - you can make it seem as if your photograph lives in three dimensions. Texture adds interest and detail to any photo, BUT for texture to be the main reason the photographer took the photo, it has to be ALL about the TEXTURE. |
Rule of Symmetry
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10) Symmetry
the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis... Symmetrical designs are an excellent excuse for you to break the rule of thirds. There are a couple of ways you can take advantage of symmetry, which can be found in nature as well as in man-made elements. First, look for symmetrical patterns that are in unexpected places. Second, look for symmetrical patterns with strong lines, curves and patterns. The more visually beautiful your subject is the more appealing it will be as a symmetrical image. |
Watch this video on Symmetry: youtu.be/S1BU5Pobfm4
11-A) using Patterns:
Pattern can be very visually compelling because it suggests harmony and rhythm, and things that are harmonious and rhythmic make us feel a sense or order or peace.
Pattern can become even more compelling when you break the rhythm - then the eye has a specific focal point to fall upon, followed by a return to that harmonic rhythm:
11-B) BREAKing Patterns:
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Interrupting or breaking a pattern: When you break a pattern, the object that is different becomes the focal point of the photograph, so take care how you position that object in the frame.
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Rule of using Viewpoint to fully capture the being of the animal!
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12) Viewpoint:
Using the rule of Viewpoints; in other words purposely changing your viewpoint from the most convenient one (not being sort of being lazy about it - like shooting out a car window or shooting from the your own height all the time) can dramatically change the mood of a photograph. Let's take an image of a child as an example. Shot from above, a photograph of a child makes her appear diminutive, or less than equal to the viewer. Shot from her level, the viewer is more easily able to see things from her point of view. In this case the viewer becomes her equal rather than her superior. But shoot that same child from below and suddenly there's a sense of dominance about the child. See the photo below: |
Poor viewpoint to relate to this child
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Better viewpoint than if taken from an adults height
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13) Framing:
Using natural frames is a trick that will isolate your subject from the rest of the image, leading the viewer's eyes straight to the place you want it to go.
A natural frame can be a doorway, an archway - or the branches of a tree or the mouth of a cave. |
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Rule of framing
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14) USING CONTRAST
Contrast is a powerful photographic tool that helps to draw viewer's attention to the subject: contrast is any striking difference that gives added emphasis to the subject.
In black-and-white photography, tonal contrast refers to the different in tones of the image: from white to grey to black.
In color photography, contrasting colors are used to make the subject stand out.
Contrast can be also be expressed in any of the elements of art; size, shape, form, space
SEE THE EXAMPLES BELOW FOR CONTRAST IN VALUES, COLORS, AND SIZES...
In black-and-white photography, tonal contrast refers to the different in tones of the image: from white to grey to black.
In color photography, contrasting colors are used to make the subject stand out.
Contrast can be also be expressed in any of the elements of art; size, shape, form, space
SEE THE EXAMPLES BELOW FOR CONTRAST IN VALUES, COLORS, AND SIZES...
Click here for more about using Contrast: www.bettertravelphotos.com/blog/item/5-types-of-contrast-to-enhance-your-travel-photos
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Use these vocabulary terms when speaking of your photography:
Be Aware of Orientation
Many beginning photographers make the mistake of shooting everything with horizontal orientation, this is called "LANDSCAPE". This is short sighted and easy to correct by following this simple rule: when an image contains a lot of horizontal lines, us a horizontal orientation. When it contains strong vertical lines, use a vertical orientation. Vertical orientation is called "PORTRAIT" orientation. This of course is another one of those "guideline" rules (as they all are, really), because you can take excellent shots of vertical lines in a horizontal frame, and vice-versa. But the choice is, as always, going to depend on what you want that final image to say.
Many beginning photographers make the mistake of shooting everything with horizontal orientation, this is called "LANDSCAPE". This is short sighted and easy to correct by following this simple rule: when an image contains a lot of horizontal lines, us a horizontal orientation. When it contains strong vertical lines, use a vertical orientation. Vertical orientation is called "PORTRAIT" orientation. This of course is another one of those "guideline" rules (as they all are, really), because you can take excellent shots of vertical lines in a horizontal frame, and vice-versa. But the choice is, as always, going to depend on what you want that final image to say.
Art criticism is responding to, interpreting meaning, and making critical judgments about specific works of art.
Art critics help viewers perceive/describe, analyze, interpret, and judge artworks
Art Analysis; Mentally separate the parts or elements, thinking in terms of textures,shapes/forms, light/dark or bright/dull colors, types of lines,and sensory qualities
TasK: Analize this photo...
How THIS Photograph use the Composition Rules?
Write a sentence that tells how the photo below uses one of the Rules of composition:
Example analysis comments below:
"The group of 3 horses at 3 levels shows the use of the Rule of threes (or Odd numbers)."
"Rule of viewpoints is used because of the dramatic angle looking up at the horses."
"A triangle is formed by the horses bodies."
"Diagonals are used as the horse is leaning forward- this relates to motion."
"Leaving space in front gives space for the horses to move into and also gives the feeling of motion."
"The rule of using pattern can be seen in the leg shapes repeated."
"Rule of viewpoints is used because of the dramatic angle looking up at the horses."
"A triangle is formed by the horses bodies."
"Diagonals are used as the horse is leaning forward- this relates to motion."
"Leaving space in front gives space for the horses to move into and also gives the feeling of motion."
"The rule of using pattern can be seen in the leg shapes repeated."
Try the next two sites to see AMAZING COMPOSITIONS; try to "see" which rules they are using! (click links)
using simple plastic point and shoots:
www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/3923/outstanding-lomographic-images/
Outstanding Compositions: www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/3373/31-images-with-outstanding-composition/
TIPS VIDEO:
1:56 - Use aperture priority mode 4:02 - Understand your histogram 5:34 - Focus efficiency 9:18 - Simplify your image 11:37 - Use different lenses 13:29 - Where are you standing? 15:06 - Light Light Light