PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN,

FRAMING,
and
COMPOSITION
A collaborative and interactively-developed lecture material
Composition
Creating an image by organizing or arranging visual elements to
increase the shot’s visual or aesthetic appeal, or to communicate
a visual message
The Principles of Design
• Contrast
• Rhythm
• Unity
• Movement
• Pattern
• Emphasis
• Balance
CONTRAST
Difference between elements, such as color, texture, value and shape.
RHYTHM
Similar elements put together conveying a repetitiveness, progression, or regularity.
UNITY
A sense of wholeness or connectedness between elements.
MOVEMENT
Creating a sense of motion in the viewer or viewer’s eye.
PATTERN
Repetition of elements or motif in the shot.
EMPHASIS
Giving specific elements a feeling of dominance or importance over other visual elements.
BALANCE
Using elements to create a sense of stability.
BALANCE: Symmetrical
Elements mirror each other.
BALANCE: Asymmetrical
Feeling of balance based on similar visual weight.
BALANCE: Asymmetrical
Feeling of balance based on similar visual weight.
Framing
LON
GSH
OT
MED
IUM
SHO
T
CLOSE UP
EXTREME SHOTS

Extreme Long Shot Extreme Close Up

Rules of Compostion
RULE OF THIRDS
Placing your subject in a more dynamic position in the frame.
LEADING LINES
Lines, patterns, or shapes that guide your viewer’s attention, give emphasis, or movement.
DEPTH OF FIELD
Manipulating focus to emphasize either the foreground or background.

Shallow Depth of Field Great Depth of Field

FRAME WITHIN A FRAME
Utilizing visual elements to “cut up” the shot or “reframe” your subject.
HIGH ANGLE/ LOW ANGLE
Subjective camera placing your viewer in a position or superiority or inferiority.

High Angle Shot Low Angle Shot

POV/ OTS
Subjective camera giving your viewer more involvement in an event or action.

Point of View Shot (POV)

POV/ OTS
Subjective camera giving your viewer more involvement in an event or action.

Over the Shoulder Shot (OTS)

JOINTS AND GROWTHS
Proper framing to avoid awkward composition.

Cutting on the Joints Growth or Awkward Interactions

CREATIVE GROWTHS
Breaking the rule on growths to create a deliberate or interesting effect.
 CREATIVE GROWTHS
Breaking the rule on growths to create a deliberate or interesting effect.
The different Principles of Design, Framings, and Rules of Composition do not need
to used individually, they may be used together in different combinations to create
an effective and visually pleasing image.
Members:
Ritchie A. Aboltivo – Malapatan NHS (Sarangani)
Arnez Jewell P. Dotillos- Cantiasay NHS (Surigao)
Kevin G. Siervo- Jacinto P. Elpa NHS (Surigao)
Bernamil B. Malintad – Caraga NHS (Davao Oriental)
Marie Fredilyn Rudinas-Bangkal NHS (Davao del Sur)
Melda S. Abdulla – Maluso NHS (Basilan)
Genevieve B. Campanano – Matanao NHS (Davao del Sur)

Developed at the 2015 Sanay Guro Workshops, Baguio City October 2015.