Unit 4 Notes
- 2. 1. Composition: the organization or grouping of the elements and principles of design so as to achieve a unified whole; the arrangement of these elements in a purposeful and deliberate manner 2. How we organize the elements and principles in our designs connects directly to the sense of beauty, to taste and to aesthetics in general . 3. Strong composition makes the difference between a good photograph and a poor photograph. 4. Even if everything else you do is correct, without a strong composition you will have a poor photograph.
- 3. • • • • • DOMINANCE & POSITION create a composition and how they are arranged determines whether it is strong or weak shape, and vertical & horizontal eye-lines tell the viewer where to look & creates unity Repeating shapes and negative space help the viewer understand what is important Eye lines guide the viewer Throughout the next slides you will be introduced to rules of composition which use DOMINANCE & POSITION
- 4. 1. Center of Interest • • dominance & position present in all compositions 2. Framing • • 2A: Filling the Frame 2B: Physical Framing 3. Repetition • • 3A: Pattern & Repeating 3B: Rule of Threes (Triad) TOTAL: 5 4. Tension • • • 4A: Psychological Tension 4B: Visual Tension 4C: Order vs. Chaos 5. Leading Lines • • 5A: Leading Lines 5B: Perspective (F, M, B) 6. Rule of Thirds 7. S-Curves TOAL: 7
- 5. 1. It should not ALWAYS be in the CENTER of the photograph (in fact, it might not actually be in the photograph at all!) 2. What is the picture ABOUT? Not what is the picture OF. 3. The most important part of composition expressed through DOMINANCE & POSITION (the visual cues of an image). 4. Does the viewer know what you are trying to tell s/he? 5. Bring the focus, the center of interest, out of the photo to the viewer! Each of the other rules must use this the rule!
- 9. • Framing & Filling the Frame a) As a general rule, types of framing make the viewer feel outside the scene but draws them in by making them look into the picture – not at the picture 2A. Framing a) Physical Framing refers to literal shapes and lines which create frames around an image b) Examples include: doors, windows, boxes etc. c) Framing creates interest in the photo and localizes the subject matter drawing the viewer inside 2B. Filling the Frame a) Filling the Frame does not necessarily mean clutter b) Often these are MACRO or CLOSE-UP shots again bring the viewer inside the picture
- 15. 3A. Repetition a) Compositionally, the challenge becomes using pattern to create interest • The Psychology of Pattern a) Repetition and pattern can create psychological effects b) Think of: friendship, family, boredom, monotony, overwhelming and/or isolation 3B. Rule of Three’s (Triad/Groups of Three) a) 3 objects make a strong composition b) Gives a sense of beginning, middle and end c) Gives a sense of unity: first, second and third d) Gives a sense of focus: left and right sides and then the center
- 21. • • The Meaning of Tension a) Psychological: a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense b) Normal Vernacular: feelings of hostility that are not manifest; mental, emotional, or nervous strain Types of Tension 4A. Visual Tension: objects and/or figures in the image express some sort of tension based on placement, proportion and/or perspective (emotional quality) 4B. Literal Tension: an expression of tension in the literal sense (something being pulled or stressed) 4C. Order vs. Chaos: photos that express a balance or unbalance of order and chaos
- 29. 5A. Leading Lines are lines within an image that leads the eye to another point in the image, or occasionally, out of the image • Anything with a definite line can be a leading line • Fences, bridges, even a shoreline can lead the eye. • This is based on one and two point perspective 5B. Leading Lines create Perspective • Foreground/Midground/Background • The foreground is the prominent or important position of the image. • The midground lies behind the foreground. • The background even further in the distance (as indicated by the adjacent images).
- 34. • Perhaps the Strongest Compositional Rule a) Not to be confused with the Rule of 3’s b) Ansel Adams is often credited with inventing this rule • Components of the Rule of Thirds a) Imagine the world on a 3x3 grid b) Where lines intersect there is an illusion of points of interest – these are called Focal Points or Centers of Interest/Focus c) Most of the time, you want to avoid “bull's-eye” photos – place the Center of Interest at one of the other grid squares
- 38. • • The S-Curve (“The Holy Grail of Photography”) a) Sensuality, sexuality, sensation, and subtleness b) The curvature of figures (especially feminine) creates: i. Romance ii. Flirtatiousness iii. Pleasing iv. Soft & Inviting Challenge of the S-Curve a) It can be found in nature, but it is difficult b) Think of: serpents, winding rivers, hillsides c) The most difficult aspect of the s-curve, is not just finding one but representing it in an appealing way
- 44. 1. Center of Interest • • dominance & position present in all compositions 2. Framing • • 2A: Filling the Frame 2B: Physical Framing 3. Repetition • • 3A: Pattern & Repeating 3B: Rule of Threes (Triad) TOTAL: 5 4. Tension • • • 4A: Psychological Tension 4B: Visual Tension 4C: Order vs. Chaos 5. Leading Lines • • 5A: Leading Lines 5B: Perspective (F, M, B) 6. Rule of Thirds 7. S-Curves TOAL: 7