Keeping it Simple: The Rules of Composition
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The document provides rules of composition for taking great photos, as exemplified by award-winning photos. It lists rules such as having a strong point of interest, using contrast, asymmetry, unexpected points of view, the rule of thirds, breaking patterns, capturing action verbs over nouns, filling the frame, and using natural frames. It then shows several photos and asks to discuss which rules of composition each photo demonstrates and provide any critiques.
Keeping it Simple: The Rules of Composition
- 1. Rules of Composition How to take a great photo
- 2. Note • The following examples are taken from the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest submissions, 2012. • Other entries can be found here.
- 3. • Strong point of interest – The most important elements dominate the photo and are forward in it; clutter is eliminated. A portrait of an old Burmese woman; Burma © Leon Shkolnik
- 4. • Contrast – Compose photographs with differences in light, color and size. Lava Kiss; Kalapana, Hawaii © Dallas Nagata White
- 5. • Asymmetry – Photographs need not be symmetrical. Asymmetry often works better. Place the main object off center. Taking Off From Chelatna Lake; Alaska © Janet Kotwas
- 6. • Point of view – Look at the subject from an unexpected angle; maybe above or below the subject. Spiral Down; Vatican Museum © Syaza Mohammed Shakharulain
- 7. • Rule of Thirds – Think of your frame in thirds, horizontally and vertically like a tic-tac-toe board. Put the subject at the intersection of any two lines. Your life is your own; Colorado Springs © Tareyn Kaster
- 8. • Break the Pattern – Look at what is out of place. It adds interest. The Rainbow Man; Kuala Lumpur, © Ahmad Izzrafiq Alias/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
- 9. • Shoot verbs, not nouns – Try the sports setting for action shots. Holi Explosion Bombay/ Mumbai, © Giselle Natassia/
- 10. • Framing – Fill your frame, do not waste space. Look for natural frames as well; you can crop if necessary! Fly By; near Arctic Bay © Michelle Valberg
- 11. • In the following photographs, discuss which rules of composition apply to the picture. Feel free to give any critiques as well. • Photos from the same source.
- 12. Sun-Kissed Faces; Cebu, the Philippines © Erwin Choachuy
- 13. Maiko; Kyoto, Japan © Seiya Bowen
- 14. Leading Lines; Sarawak, Malaysia © Sharkawi Che Din
- 15. Sunset over Bruges; Belgium © Calvin Lee
- 16. Blizka; The Buzludzha Monument, Bulgaria © Thomas
- 17. Dragon Wave; Ke’e beach, Kauai, Hawaii © Lace Andersen
- 18. Nomad woman milking a yak; Sichuan, China © John Quintero