WHERE TO PUT

THE SUBJECT?
UiTM Puncak Alam
• Every picture need a subject, otherwise the eye
wanders restlessly from one spot to the next
without knowing where to linger.
• So before you compose a shot it’s always a good
idea to ask yourself why you’re taking the picture.
• What has made you respond to the image in
front of you? Do you have a clear subject in
mind? And what exactly is it you want to
capture?
• Many people put the subject in the middle of the
frame most of the time. It creates restfull & well
balance images.
• Because of this, a central subject is particularly
effective for something symmetrical such as
classical building or the front end of a car or aero
plane.
• However, taking too many pictures with centrally
placed subjects may start to look static and dull.
 So, there’s a few aspects you need to
consider:
• Rule of Third
• 4 key point
• Space
 The Rules of Third
• Photographers & painters share many of the
same creative ideas, one of which is the rule
of third.
• A classic way of creating a satisfying
composition is to divide an image into vertical
thirds in your mind, and then position the
subject roughly on one of the dividing lines.
OFF CENTRE CENTRE OFF CENTRE

CENTRAL SUBJECT
– placing figure in
the middle is a
perfectly valid,
safe option. But
interesting start to
happen when you
move the subject
towards one of the
imaginary vertical
lines.
OFF CENTRE – With
the subject on a third
your eye travels
around the picture, -
rather than resting in
the centre.
 The Four Key Points
• As well as vertical third lines, you can add two
more lines going across to make an imagery
grid like a tic-tac-toe and crosses board.
Where the dividing lines meet they create four
key points.
• These four spot are ideal places for the subject
because they are most eye cathing part of the
subject.
• The rules of third applies to all subjects.
• Think about what elements of the photo are
most important, and try to position them at or
near the lines and intersections of the grid.
• They don't have to be perfectly lined up as
long as they're close.
•You may need to move around to get the best
composition. This forces you to think more carefully
about the shot, and is a good habit to get into whether
you're using the rule of thirds or not.

•To help you out, some cameras have a setting which

overlays a rule of thirds grid onto your photo. This
removes all guesswork and helps you get your
positioning even more accurate.
 Space
• Space in photography can actually be understood in a
couple of ways.
• First, space can be understood as that part of your
photograph that exists around a subject, usually the part
of the frame that’s empty or filled with a vast expanse of
sky, water or some other simple background element
that doesn’t have a lot of distracting elements of its
own.
• Second, it can be used to describe the way in which your
foreground and background combine to create an image
that has depth.
• There are 2 space in one images : the positive and the
negative space.
• Positive space is your subject. It’s the part of the photograph
that commands attention.
• Negative space surrounds the subject. Negative space is
used to direct attention to the subject. If an object in the
photograph is drawing attention then it is not negative
space.
• Negative space doesn’t have to be filled with anything. Take
a product shot, for example, where the product is
surrounded by nothing but a solid colour, like white or black.
NEGATIVE SPACE

POSITIVE SPACE
NEGATIVE SPACE

POSITIVE SPACE
NEGATIVE SPACE

POSITIVE SPACE
 Why we need space,anyway?
• If everybody needs space, so does the subject
in your images. This is a rule in photography
more commonly known as the rule of space.
• a common mistake among hobby
photographers is in neglecting empty space
altogether, all the time.
• Your subject needs some space to look into. If
you don’t give it, the photograph is going to
make your viewer feel uncomfortable or even
trapped.
• The truth is that empty space can be a very
effective compositional tool; the trick is in
learning when to use it, and when not to.
 Active space VS Dead space
• What if your subject is running, walking or jumping? Then as a
general rule, he needs to have some space to move into.
Professional photographers call this “active” space vs. “dead”
space.
• The dead space is the space behind the subject, where the
action is over and done with.
• The active space is the space in front of the subject, the
destination or the place where the action will resolve after the
moment that was captured in the image. If you de-emphasize
the dead space by making it smaller, and you leave plenty of
active space, you will create an image that is dynamic and
engaging.
The Dead
Space
The Active Space
The Dead
The Active Space
Space
 The Dead
Space

The Active Space

• The rule of space can be used to convey where the subject
has been as well, rather than where they are going.

• This technique of creating active spaces in action shots can

be applied in many types of photography including sports
(cars, bikes, people etc), wildlife (photographing a running
animal) or virtually any other subject matter that is moving.
Where the
subject has
been
Where the
subject has
been
•The rule of space can also convey a sense of
the subject turning away from something by
utilizing the dead space opposite the subject’s
gaze.
 What is the Subject Gazing At? What are They Thinking?

• One common way to add depth and intrigue to a portrait where

the subject is not looking directly at the camera, is to add
some negative space in the direction of the subject’s gaze. There
should be enough space for the subject to look into and not appear
crowded.

• Viewers of the photograph will naturally also look into this space
and wonder what might be going on outside of the photograph.
For example, if the subject is smiling and looking off in the
distance the viewer will wonder what he is smiling at.
“Looking Into”
Space
“Looking Into”
Space
“Looking Into”
Space
 Creating a Sense of Size and Perspective

• The rule of space can be used to imply a sense

of size or perspective and the rule of space to
suggest size relationships

• By using space, the size of the subject matter

can be compare with the surrounding.
The image show the
vastness and grandeur in
the environment while
making the camel appear
smaller.
The same thing going on
here when the boat appear
smaller to show the
vastness and grandeur of
the lake.
The livestock appear
smaller to show the
vastness and grandeur of
the fields.
 Summary
• The Rule Of Third – position the subject roughly on
one of the dividing lines.
• The Four Key Point – the 4 point of “eye cathing part
of the subject”.
• Why need space? – to avoid the feel of uncomfortable
& being trapped.
• Space – Active Space & Dead Space
• Space for potrait – when the subject is gazing
somewhere
• Space – for suggesting size & perspective.
• TQ.Good Luck
• "Success does not depend on your aptitude or
your altitude. It depends on your attitude."
• Sukses tidak bergantung pada bakat atau
kedudukan Anda. Ia bergantung pada sikap
Anda.