Principles of Composition

How to improve your photographic skills

Elements of Composition
Lines Rhythm Perspective Contrast Texture Balance Rule of Thirds

Lines
Sometimes the edge of those objects captured in a picture, can create a visual path that enables the eye to move within them and guides the sight of the viewers. They can be:
Straight Lines Curved Lines

Straight Lines

Straight Lines

Curved Lines

Curved Lines

Rhythm
Is the repetition or alternation of elements inside the picture. Some kinds of rhythm are:
Regular: when the intervals between the elements, and often the elements themselves, are similar in size or length Flowing: gives a sense of movement, and is often more organic in nature. Progressive: shows a sequence of forms through a progression of steps.

Regular Rhythm

Regular Rhythm

Flowing Rhythm

Flowing Rhythm

Progressive Rhythm

Progressive Rhythm

Perspective
Refers to the relationship of the objects in a picture, including their relative positions and sizes and the space between them. There are three basic forms to emphasize the perspective of a photography:
Rectilinear Perspective: defined by the angle at which lines and planes converge. Overlap Perspective: refers to the variations in the proportions and the superposition of the objects. Atmospheric Perspective: the greater the distance, the lesser is the color saturation and the brightness of an object.

Rectilinear Perspective

Rectilinear Perspective

Overlap Perspective

Overlap Perspective

Atmospheric Perspective

Atmospheric Perspective

Contrast
Shows the difference between the objects inside a picture and creates an area of emphasis. Can be used as a background to bring objects out and forward in the design. This contrast can be:
Contrast of Shapes Contrast of Colors Contrast of Tones

Contrast of Shapes

Contrast of Shapes

Contrast of Color

Contrast of Color

Contrast of Tones

Contrast of Tones

Texture
Texture helps to emphasize the features and details in a photograph. By capturing the "texture" of objects in a photograph, you can create form or even estranged this objects from their everyday nature.

Texture

Texture

Balance
Determines what the center of interest of the picture will be and composes the elements accordingly. The objects inside the picture create a visual weight. According to the distribution of this objects, the balance can be:
Symmetrical Balance Asymmetrical Balance

Symmetrical Balance

Symmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Rule of thirds
A picture is divided into three sections vertically and horizontally and lines and points of intersection represent places to position important visual elements.

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Questions?