Composition (The Principles)

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Composition(The Principles)
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What is Composition Review

• Composition is the arrangement of shapes (forms)
  in an image their position, relationship to one
  another and to the image as a whole.
• Photographers, like other artists, compose their
  images to create certain effects and to affect
  the viewer.

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Principles of Design

• Contrast - Contrast is the occurrence of
  contrasting elements, such as color, value, size,
  etc. It creates interest and pulls the attention
  toward the focal point.
• Balance - The appearance of equal visual weight
  within a composition. There are three types of
  balance Symmetrical, Asymmetrical, and Radial
• Symmetrical- Mirror image composition, similar on
  either side.
• Asymmetrical- still looks balanced by objects are
  not centered in the frame (Rule of Thirds)
• Radial- Circular style composition, all objects
  radiate from a central point.
• Repetition - (Rhythm, Pattern) The recurrence of
  elements within a piece colors, lines, shapes,
  values, etc. Any element that occurs is generally
  echoed, often with some variation to keep
  interest.
• Rhythm - Rhythm is created when one or more
  elements of design are used repeatedly to create
  a feeling of organized movement. Variety is
  essential to keep rhythm exciting and active, and
  moving the viewer around the artwork.  Rhythm
  creates a mood like music or dancing.
• Pattern - Pattern is the repeating of an object
  or symbol all over the artwork.

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Principles of Design

• Proportion (Scale) - Proportion involves the
  relationship of size between objects in the
  artwork.
• Emphasis (Dominance) - Emphasis is the part of
  the design that catches the viewers attention.
  Usually the artist will make one area stand out
  by contrasting it with other areas. The area will
  be different in size, color, texture, shape,
  etc.  Emphasis can also be refer to as the focal
  point of the work.
• Variety The use of dissimilar elements, which
  creates interest. Variety is the use of several
  elements of design to hold the viewers attention
  and to guide the viewers eye through the
  artwork.
• Harmony - Harmony is achieved through the
  sensitive balance of variety and unity. Color
  harmony may be achieved using complementary or
  analogous colors.
• Unity - Unity refers to a sense that everything
  in the artwork belongs there, and makes a whole
  piece. It is achieved by the use of balance and
  repetition.

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Contrast
Photo by Brad Evans

• Positioning of subject or elements to create
  contrast gives them added emphasis and directs
  the viewer's attention.

Photo by Genodm
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Color Contrast

• Color contrast is an effective compositional
  element in color photography, just as tone is in
  black-and-white photography. Colors with opposite
  characteristics contrast strongly when placed
  together. Each color accentuates the qualities of
  the other and makes the color images stand out
  dramatically.

Photo by Thomieh
Photo by Porg
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Balance

• There are three main types of Balance
• Symmetrical
• Asymmetrical
• Radial

Photo by e-nikkos
Photo by Barney Taxel
Photo by James P. Blair
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Symmetrical Balance

• Symmetrical balance is the type of balance where
  one side is very similar or exactly the same as
  the other.

Photo by Straightfinder
Photo by Julie Frances
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Asymmetrical Balance

• Asymmetrical balance is the type of balance
  where the picture, although not symmetrical, is
  balanced. This can be achieved through balancing
  of objects in the foreground, middle ground, and
  background.

Photo by MARK HEMMINGS
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Rule of thirds

• The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is
  to imagine breaking an image down into thirds
  (both horizontally and vertically) so that you
  have 9 parts.

If you place points of interest in the
intersections or along the lines your photo
becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of
the image to interact with it more naturally.
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Rule of Thirds Continued
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Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical
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Radial Balance

• Radial Balance is when all the elements of the
  design radiate from a center point in a
  circular fashion. Radial balance is a great way
  to lead the eye into the focal point.

Photo by Kenneth Libbrecht
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Repetition
Photo by actionlovr
Photo by Amy White and Al Petteway
Photo by Brenda Tharp
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Rhythm

• Good photos will often have elements that are
  repeated and echoed off each other in the photo,
  giving a sense of Rhythm as it is called. Curves
  on branches might be echoed in the shapes of
  distant mountains. V's on a porch may echo clouds
  in the sky. Rhythm helps move your eyes around a
  picture.

Photo by Sheila McDonald
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Pattern

• There are patterns all around us if we only
  learn to see them. Emphasizing and highlighting
  these patterns can lead to striking shots.
  Patterns that are interrupted can also have a
  successful result.

Photo by Monster
Filling your frame with a repeating pattern can
give the impression of size and large numbers.
Photo by Johnny Blood
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Proportion

• Thinking about the way the size of the subject
  or objects in an image relate can make an impact
  of importance on your composition.

Photograph by Michael Melford
Photograph by Randy Crossley
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Emphasis

• What do you see first?

Photograph by Bill Hinton
Photograph by James L. Stanfield
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Variety

• Variety in images creates interest and will keep
  the viewer engaged in your photograph

Photograph by Kindra Ormiston
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Harmony

• When similar objects and subjects are bringing a
  composition together. Unity and Harmony are
  similar in they both have the goal to achieve a
  sense of oneness in the photo.

Photo by Birdyboo
Photograph by Paul Nicklen
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Unity
Unity is the hallmark of a good photograph. It's
the final result in a composition when all the
design elements work harmoniously together giving
the viewer a satisfying sense of belonging and
relationship.
Photograph by James Stanfield
When unity is achieved The individual elements
with in a composition will not be competing for
attention. The key theme will be communicated
more clearly. The design will evoke a sense of
completeness and organization.
Photograph by Michael Yamashita
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Tell me about these Compositions
Photograph by David L. Arnold
Photograph by Lynn Johnson
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Tell me about these Compositions
Photo by Elox
Photograph by Jodi Cobb
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Tell me about these Compositions
Photograph by Chris Johns
Photograph by Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott
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Websites used

• http//www.citysnaps.net/blog/?p53
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  ing.htm
• http//photoinf.com/General/NAVY/Contrast_and_Fram
  ing.htm
• http//vi.sualize.us/kyanblue/photography/
• http//www.digitalphotographytipsonline.com/balanc
  e-in-photography.html
• http//norman.walsh.name/2000/06/images/obscenity
• http//digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thir
  ds
• http//photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_b
  etter_photographic_composition_rule_of_thirds.html
  
• http//knol.google.com/k/gerry-van-der-walt/compos
  ition-in-wildlife-photography/16cdtls8qz6oz/2
• http//www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/Files/elemen
  ts2.htm
• http//www.robertspahr.com/courses/cwd/vocabulary_
  art_design.html
• http//photography.nationalgeographic.com/photogra
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