“Great understanding is Broad and unhurried; Little understanding is cramped and Busy.” –Chuang-tzu (4th century BC)

Read these two articles and study the information below to prepare for midterm:

https://photographylife.com/the-three-elements-of-a-good-photo

https://petapixel.com/2016/09/14/20-composition-techniques-will-improve-photos/

Rules of Composition

Composition is the grammar of our images.

Perspective makes a two-dimensional photograph feel like a three-dimensional scene.  Some examples of perspective in photography is leading lines, foreground/background, and framing.

Framing

Brings focus to subject  // Adds depth to an image (2-D vs. 3-D) // Sometimes framing gives information-context  //or creates a mood

Ideas for Framing: use people for framing, use something important to frame a story, use shadow and light, shoot through objects/

When framing, ask:

-How much of the frame should be in view and in focus?

-Are my lines straight? (This is especially important when using geometric shapes).

-How much of the frame should my subject fill?

Point of view: Where is the camera when its viewing the scene? For example, at eye level or bird’s eye view.

How do you avoid distortion?

1.Back up until the entire subject is on your viewfinder without having to tip your camera up.

2. Get as tall as you can get.

3. Correct it with editing software

4. Use a wide angle lens

5. Use a tilt-shift lens -can adjust the lens’ perspective

Rule of Odds


Visual weight

Symmetrical and Asymmetrical balance radical balance

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2015/06/design-principles-compositional-balance-symmetry-asymmetry/

https://expertphotography.com/compositional-weight-photography-rules/


Simplicity

Change depth of field

Fill the frame

Move

Choose black and white 

Ligt

Negative space



Other compositional tips:

Let your subject breathe and have space in the frame.

https://photographylife.com/composition-tip-give-your-subjects-breathing-space

Pay attention to the edges— tiny visual noise around the edge of a frame can ruin composition

Take several different photos to get it compositionally perfect.

wait for a gesture.

Link to contest winners whose photos we looked at. This will not be on the test, but I thought you might enjoy reading more about the images.

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2018/06/winners-of-the-2018-national-geographic-travel-photographer-of-the-year-contest/564002/