PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITION

Secrets behind beauty // Art of Seeing

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITIONS (TECHNIQUES)

Rule of Thirds
Balance
Lines
Patterns
Perspective
Depth of Fields
Framing
Contrast
9. Point of views
10. Rhythms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

A temptation of imbalance

RULE OF THIRDS

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITIONS (TECHNIQUES)

Rule of Thirds
Balance Order & Chaos
Lines
Patterns
Perspective
Depth of Fields
Framing
Contrast
9. Point of views
10. Rhythms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Balance
Centre Balance: if you put your subject in the middle of the picture, it will
always balance. But centre is the dead spot that means nothing moves,
very static, very official and perhaps, very boring.
Symmetrical: this will be used when two things need to be together, side by
side. But to make them united, there must be something to link those two.
Asymmetrical : This is often used in composition since it will give you a
dynamic look. But when you use this, you have to concern about the space
and the proportion to have a good balance for your picture and most of the
time, the rule of thirds will be applied in this case
Reflection

Centre balance

Centre balance

Centre balance

Centre balance

Symmetrical balance

Symmetrical balance

Symmetrical balance

Aerial Perspective / Reflection

Aerial Perspective / Reflection

Symmetrical balance / Reflection

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITIONS (TECHNIQUES)

Rule of Thirds
Balance
Lines Attraction guidance
Patterns
Perspective
Depth of Fields
Framing
Contrast
9. Point of views
10. Rhythms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

LINES

By using a line or an eyesight, it

will lead the audience sight to the
subject that you want to show.
Line also has a meaning: a
horizontal line means
peacefulness, a vertical line
means strength, a diagonal line
means unsteadiness, movement,
a curve means gentleness,
moving gently, etc.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITIONS (TECHNIQUES)

Rule of Thirds
Balance
Lines
Patterns Repetition of forms
Perspective
Depth of Fields
Framing
Contrast
9. Point of views
10. Rhythms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

PATTERNS

When you crop the picture to emphasize the repetition of something,

patterns will appear and if there is anything which is different it will be
easily noticed.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITIONS (TECHNIQUES)

Rule of Thirds
Balance
Lines
Patterns
Perspective 3D perception
Depth of Fields
Framing
Contrast
9. Point of views
10. Rhythms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

PERSPECTIVE
Parallel lines in reality
Parallel
lines
can
meet each
otherin
in reality can
the
picture.
Theseother
parallelin the
meet
each
lines are the best in
picture.
leading
your These
eyesight toparallel lines
the
rightthe
spotbest
and also
are
in leading your
give a perspective look to
eyesight to the right spot
your picture.

and also give a perspective

look to your picture.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITIONS (TECHNIQUES)

Rule of Thirds
Balance
Lines
Patterns
Perspective
Depth of Fields Visual perception
Framing
Contrast
9. Point of views
10. Rhythms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITIONS (TECHNIQUES)

Rule of Thirds
Balance
Lines
Patterns
Perspective
Depth of Fields
Framing Lining the subject
Contrast
9. Point of views
10. Rhythms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITIONS (TECHNIQUES)

Rule of Thirds
Balance
Lines
Patterns
Perspective
Depth of Fields
Framing
Contrast Unity of differences
9. Point of views
10. Rhythms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

CONTRAST
Things that are
different from
the others when
compared will
stand out. With
the contrast, it
can make the
main subject
stands out.
Contrast can be
in color, size,
shape, light, etc.

Contrast in light

Contrast in light

Contrast in light

Contrast in light

Contrast in size

HOT

COLD

Contrast in light

Contrast in color

Contrast in color&light

Contrast
in color
&light

Contrast in shape

Contrast in many things

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITIONS (TECHNIQUES)

Rule of Thirds
Balance
Lines
Patterns
Perspective
Depth of Fields
Framing
Contrast
9. Point of views Look for a new angle
10. Rhythms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Taking photo
from different view
Point
of views
points
could affect the
composition. Besides
the normal expectation
of the photo, a various
approaches could
enhance the level of
attraction from the
audience.

CLOSE UP SHOT

DISTANCE SHOT / NEGATIVE SPACE

GROUND/LOW LEVEL SHOT

ANT-EYE VIEW

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITIONS (TECHNIQUES)

Rule of Thirds
Balance
Lines
Patterns
Perspective
Depth of Fields
Framing
Contrast
9. Point of views
10. Rhythms Time & Space
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

RHYTHMS & SPACE

For moving subject, Rhythms
mean the way the subject
moves or the right moment of
the movement, the peak of
action which gives the nicest
look of the subject.
For still subject, Rhythms
mean spacing. With a good
spacing, the picture will look
neat, not confused, and the
subject will stand out.

http://digital-photography-school.com/use-rhythm-pattern-create
-stronger-compositions/

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITION: ASSIGNMENT

Rule of Thirds
Balance
Lines
Patterns
Perspective
Depth of Fields
Framing
Contrast
9. Point of views
10. Rhythms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Take 5 pictures: Use photography

compositions to create a set of nice
photos. You may use more than one
technique to enhance it.
1 photo must use composition(s)
from last 3 digits of your student ID.
4 photos with any composition(s).
Due date: 2 weeks, put files in a
folder with student ID+name.