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Photo Composition Basics

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In this photo, famed LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt has framed his horizon ... This Annie Leibovitz photo shows a close up of a banjo and its owner, Pete ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Photo Composition Basics


1
Photo Composition Basics
Slide 1
  • Welcome to Photo Composition Basics!
  • In this tutorial, youll learn a few simple
    guidelines that can help casual photographers
    improve their eye for composition.
  • Well be seeing examples from some well-known
    photographers to illustrate these concepts.

Christopher Burkett, Aspen Grove, Colorado, 1993
Get Started!
Notes Get Started gt Slide 2.
2
Composition Defined
Slide 2
Composition Defined Rule of Thirds
Simplicity/Cropping Framing Viewpoint Lines
Balance
  • What makes some pictures "better" than others?
    Technical issues certainly play a key role, but
    typically, the thing that really separates a good
    photo from an average one is strong composition.
  • Simply put, composition is the aesthetically
    pleasing selection and arrangement of elements
    within a picture. When it comes to composition,
    keep in mind these two quotes from the great
    American photographer, Ansel Adams
  • You don't take a photograph, you make it.
  • There are no rules for good photographs, there
    are only good photographs.

Ansel Adams, Moon and Half Dome, Yosemite Valley,
1960
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Notes Previous gt Slide 1. Next gt Slide 3.
3
Rule of Thirds
Slide 3
Composition Defined Rule of Thirds
Simplicity/Cropping Framing Viewpoint Lines
Balance
  • Placing your subject right in the center of the
    frame often results in a picture that looks a
    little static. Instead, apply the rule of thirds.
  • Imagine that your frame is divided into thirds,
    both vertically and horizontally, in a grid
    pattern (see the red lines in the photo). Framing
    your subject at the intersections of the grid
    lines will result in a more visually interesting
    picture.
  • Landscape photographers often use the rule of
    thirds for horizon shots. In this photo, famed
    LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt has framed
    his horizon in the lower third of the picture to
    emphasize the sky at dusk. He could also have
    placed the horizon in the top third to emphasize
    the boats in the foreground.

Alfred Eisenstaedt, Dusk in Menemsha, 1962
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Notes Previous gt Slide 2. Next gt Slide 4.
4
Simplicity and Cropping
Slide 4
Composition Defined Rule of Thirds
Simplicity/Cropping Framing Viewpoint Lines
Balance
  • In photography, what you leave out is just as
    important as what you put in. It is vital to have
    a point of interest. Ask yourself what message
    you want to convey and compose accordingly.
  • Strive for simplicity. You want your point of
    interest to get the most visual attention, so
    minimize distractions by choosing a simple
    background and cropping out unrelated elements.
    To do this, you might choose a close up or to
    frame your photo vertically instead of
    horizontally.
  • This Annie Leibovitz photo shows a close up of a
    banjo and its owner, Pete Seeger, allowing the
    viewer to read the words inscribed. The point of
    interest is clear and there are no distractions.

Annie Leibovitz, Pete Seeger, Clearwater Revival,
Croton-on-Hudson, NY, 2001
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5
Framing
Slide 5
Composition Defined Rule of Thirds
Simplicity/Cropping Framing Viewpoint Lines
Balance
  • Framing your subject with objects in the
    foreground can add a feeling of depth to your
    photo and make it more visually interesting.
  • What works as a framing device? Structures such
    as walls, windows, and doorways are obvious
    choices. In this Galen Rowell photo, a Tibetan
    monastery acts as a frame for Mount Everest. You
    can also use other many other elements for
    framing, such as branches or rocks.
  • Whether you choose to use framing will depend on
    your point of interest. Always make sure that the
    frame does not overwhelm your subject, or the
    viewer will have a hard time telling whats
    important in the photo.

Galen Rowell, Mt Everest and Rongbuk Monastery,
Tibet
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6
Viewpoint
Slide 6
Composition Defined Rule of Thirds
Simplicity/Cropping Framing Viewpoint Lines
Balance
  • When was the last time you kneeled down or
    climbed a ladder to take a photograph? Changing
    the viewpoint, the angle from which you
    photograph the subject, can make a big difference
    to your photograph.
  • If your subject is stationary, adjusting the
    viewpoint lets you change the background or get
    the best lighting. Your subjects appearance can
    also vary greatly depending on the viewpoint.
  • In Elliot Erwitts photo, the Chihuahua and its
    owner are taken from a very low angle, almost
    ground level. This gives a unique perspective you
    wouldnt get if you took the photo standing up.

Elliott Erwitt, New York City, 1946
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7
Lines
Slide 7
Composition Defined Rule of Thirds
Simplicity/Cropping Framing Viewpoint Lines
Balance
  • Lines are another important aspect of
    composition. Diagonal lines can make a picture
    more dynamic. Try to arrange your subjects along
    an imaginary diagonal line.
  • A diagonal can also act as a leading line that
    takes the eye through the picture. The road in
    Elliot Erwitts photo is an example of this.
  • Leading lines do not need be straight. A common
    one is called the S curve. Youll often find it
    in landscapes shots with a graceful winding river
    or path.

Elliott Erwitt, Oreleans, France, 1952
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8
Balance
Slide 7
Composition Defined Rule of Thirds
Simplicity/Cropping Framing Viewpoint Lines
Balance
  • A picture is said to have good balance when the
    shapes, colors, or areas of light and dark
    combine to complement one another. Its about
    using the elements of composition, such as
    framing, lines, and viewpoint, to focus attention
    on your subject.
  • But balance doesnt always mean symmetry. In
    fact, nonsymmetrical balance, in which one object
    appears larger than the other, can often be more
    visually interesting. That is the case with the
    two elephants in this Frans Lanting photograph.

Frans Lanting, Elephants in Mist, 2006 
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9
Quiz
Slide 9
  • 8 multiple choice/true-false questions on the
    topics with a tally at the end.

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Notes. Home gt Slide 1. Next gt Slide 10.
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