Compositional guidelines

Composition
Composition is the plan, placement or arrangement of the elements
of art in a work.
The general goal is to select and place appropriate elements within
the work in order to communicate ideas and feelings with the viewer.
It is the primary element in photography and an important concern in
many forms of art.

The Rule of Thirds

The application of the rule of thirds to photographs is considered by
many to make them more aesthetically pleasing and professionallooking
Many photographers recommend treating any "rule" of composition as
more of a guideline, since pleasing photographs can often be made
while ignoring one or more such rules.

The Rule of Thirds

The rule states that an image
can be divided into nine equal
parts by two equally-spaced
horizontal lines and two
equally-spaced vertical lines.
The four points formed by the
intersections of these lines can
be used to align features in
the photograph.
Proponents of this technique
claim that aligning a
photograph with these points
creates more tension, energy
and interest in the photo than
simply centering the feature
would.

Rule of Thirds

The objective is to keep the subject(s) and

areas of interest out of the center of the
image, by placing them near one of the
lines that would divide the image into three
equal columns and rows, ideally near the
intersection of those lines.

Rule of Thirds

The objective is to keep the subject(s) and

areas of interest out of the center of the
image, by placing them near one of the
lines that would divide the image into three
equal columns and rows, ideally near the
intersection of those lines.

Framing
Images with a clutter can distract from the main focus of the picture and
make it difficult to identify the subject. By decreasing the extraneous
content, the viewer is more likely to focus on the primary message.
Clutter can also be reduced through the use of lighting, as the brighter
areas of the image tend to draw the eye, as do lines and linear features.

Framing

Frame your subject.

Framing

Frame your subject.

Framing

Frame your subject.

Framing

Frame your subject.

Balance
Balance color and weight in a picture
Formal and informal
Symmetrical and asymmetrical

Balance

Positioning of the subject

Symmetry
The "rule of odds" suggests that an odd number of subjects in an image
is more interesting than an even number. Thus if you have more than
one subject in your picture, the suggestion is to choose an
arrangement with at least three subjects. An even number of subjects
produces symmetries in the image, which can appear less natural.
Related to the rule of odds is the observation that triangles are an
aesthetically pleasing implied shape within an image.

Symmetry

The "rule of odds" suggests that

an odd number of subjects in an
image is more interesting than
an even number.

Symmetry

The "rule of odds" suggests that

an odd number of subjects in an
image is more interesting than
an even number.

Viewpoint
The position of the camera can strongly influence the aesthetics of an
image. Not only does it influence the background as described above,
but it also influences the viewer's interpretation of the subject.
For example, if a boy is photographed from above, for example from
the eye level of an adult, he is diminished in stature. A photograph
taken at the child's level would treat him as an equal, and one taken
from below could result in an impression of dominance.
An image can be rendered more dramatic when it fills the frame.
People can have a tendency to perceive things as larger than they
actually are, and filling the frame fulfills this psychological
mechanism. This can be used to eliminate distractions from the
background.

View Point

The position of the camera

can strongly influence the
aesthetics of an image.

View Point

The position of the camera

can strongly influence the
aesthetics of an image.

View Point

The position of the camera

can strongly influence the
aesthetics of an image.

View Point

The camera angle influences

the viewer's interpretation of
the subject.

View Point
The camera angle influences
the viewer's interpretation of
the subject.

Lines
Every photograph contains lines. Both physical lines and continuous, less
obvious lines exist. The brain often unconsciously reads near continuous
lines between different elements and subjects at varying distances.
Strong flowing lines can be created without a photographer even
realizing it. Movement is also a source of line, blur can also create a
reaction.
Subject lines which create an illusion, contribute to both mood and by
means of linear perspective give the illusion of depth of field.
Oblique and angular lines give us the sense of dynamic balance and a
sense of action. Lines can also direct attention towards the main subject
of the photograph, or contribute to the photographs organization by
dividing it into compartments.

Curved Lines
Curved lines are generally used to create a sense of flow within a
photograph. The eye generally scans these lines with ease and
enjoyment as it follows it throughout the image.
Compared to straight lines, curves provide a greater dynamic
influence in a photograph. When paired with soft-directional lighting
curved lines can give gradated shadows which usually results in a
very harmonious line structure within the image.
Perspective is also important with curved lines, generally speaking
the higher the viewpoint the more open the lines tend to be.

Lines

S Curves : Curved lines are

generally used to create a sense
of flow within a photograph.

Lines

S Curves : Curved lines are

generally used to create a sense
of flow within a photograph.

Lines

S Curves : Curved lines are

generally used to create a sense
of flow within a photograph.

Straight Lines
Horizontal, Vertical, and Angled lines all contribute to creating different
moods of a photograph. The angle and the relationship to the size of the
frame both work to determine the influence the line has on the image. They
are also strongly influenced by tone, color, and repetition in relation to the
rest of the photograph.
Straight, horizontal lines, commonly found in landscape photography, gives
the impression of calm, tranquility, and space. An image filled with strong
vertical lines tends to have the impression of height, and grandeur. Tightly
angled convergent lines give a dynamic, lively, and active effect to the
image.
Viewpoint is very important when dealing with lines in photography, because
every different perspective elicits a different response to the photograph. Too
many lines without a clear subject point suggest chaos in the image and may
conflict with the mood the photographer is trying to evoke.

Lines

Oblique and angular lines give

us the sense of dynamic
balance and a sense of action.

Lines

Oblique and angular lines give

us the sense of dynamic
balance and a sense of action.

Lines

Oblique and angular lines give

us the sense of dynamic
balance and a sense of action.

Lines
Both physical lines and
continuous, less obvious lines
exist.

Lines

Both physical lines and

continuous, less obvious
lines exist.

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composition_%28visual_arts%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio