You’d think that after shooting the same assignment for the third time that I’d be a pro, right? Well, I didn’t get to find out in this class due to lack of time. I will, however, be frequenting the photo lab during open lab on both Friday and Saturday afternoons to develop, proof and print my assignments for Tuesday. Woohoo!
The pearls of wisdom from this class were about composition and design. First, let’s look at the definition of composition.
Composition is the pleasing selection and arrangement of objects within the picture area.
Next, here are the visual elements of photographic composition. There are six of them …
- Line: this leads the viewer’s eye into and through a photograph. It can create a sense of movement.
- Shape: is created by a 2D flat outline of an object.
- Form: consists of light added to a shape. Light adds highlights and shadows, giving an object form. The dimensions added are volume and depth.
- Texture: appeals to our sense of touch. Texture is the surface quality of your subject.
- Tone: is areas of light and dark values.
- Contrast: is the distinction between dark and light values.
The next subject is photographic composition guidelines. These were compiled from a dated Kodak movie, and while some of the photos were hilarious as they were from the ’70s, the principles are still the same. Here they are:
- Simplicity: is an easy one. Keep your subject matter and backgrounds simple.
- Rule of thirds: is easiest to describe by saying don’t center your subject! If you divide your viewfinder horizontally into three sections and vertically into the same, you’ll get 9 rectangles. Focus on placing your subject in the outermost rectangles and avoid the center.
- Lines: vary, with diagonal lines being dynamic and s-curves creating flow. Straight lines can be tricky. They’re best used as a diagonal, and can be distracting if they’re parallel with the photograph.
- Balance: is the arrangement of light, tones, colors and shapes so the photo looks balanced. You’re aiming to create harmony in the image.
- Framing: adds depth. It’s often interesting to the viewer if you can frame the center of interest with something in the foreground.
- Mergers: are to be avoided! Keep trees from coming out of people’s heads. Don’t cut essential body parts off in a shot.
Finally, here are some unrelated “extras” …
- A viewer’s eye goes to highlights first. Make sure they help your photograph!
- Geometric shapes are very eye catching and create a nice balance.
- Negative space is remaining space that is not the object … use it!
- Fill your frame!
- Leave things to the imagination – you’ll keep the viewer longer.
- Keep extraneous objects out of your shot. Look at all 4 corners before pressing the shutter.
- Pay attention to and use lighting, including its direction and the shadows that are created.
- The camera also works in a vertical position, so use it!
- Photographs shot on a diagonal are usually unnecessary. (I happen to disagree here. While I do think some are silly, I’ve created some cool photographs by shooting on a diagonal or at an angle. It’s all relative.)
