DP 21G – Composition Basics
These lessons are designed to have you access information and examples about basic composition of photographs.
The main aspects are:
Simplicity
Rule of thirds
Lines
Balance
Framing
Avoiding mergers
Introduction
Some images are stronger than others because of ______. One definition for photographic composition is simple: ______. Although some good pictures just happen, most are ______.
SimplicitySimplicity
The centre of interest in your pictures should be given the most ______. One way to attain this is to ______since these will not ______.
Explain how the image of the cactus was changed and thereby improved: ______
The image of the seagull is improved by what strategy? ______
What reason is given as to why the next image on the right (the church without car) is preferred? Do you agree? ______
Describe the difference in impact in the image of the couple when it is horizontally framed (top) versus vertically framed (below). ______
So, you can simplify your pictures and strengthen your center of interest by ______
Pictures with the subject in the centre tend to be more ______and ______than ______
______.
Copy and paste one image from this website that will best help you to remember the rules of simplicity:
Use back button to return the main page.
Rule of thirdsThe Rule of Thirds
Rule of thirds works as a guide for ______
______
Imagine you divide your image into thirds both ______and ______
Why was the seagull positioned in the upper-right position? ______
In the subway or tunnel image, why do you consider the pathway in from of the subject?______
What happens if you don’t do this? ______
What is the general rule on placing a horizon in the centre? ______
What is the general rule for placing verticals in the centre?
______
Copy and paste one image from this website that will best help you to remember the rules of thirds:
Use back button to return the main page.
LinesLines
Explain why the picture of the right (of the bridge lines) is more dynamic ______
What is one way you can use diagonal lines in your pictures? ______
One of the most common and graceful lines is the ______
Copy and paste one image from this website that will best help you to remember the rules of lines:
Use back button to return the main page.
BalanceBalance
In addition to the S curve, what other shapes can be used in composition of images? ______
What is the effect of connecting the imaginary lines between the nuns?
______
Explain how the leaves, window, and couple are all in the right place in this image (man holding women with blue building)______
Good balance is simply the ______
______
______
Why does Karen look like she’s going to fall right out of the picture? ______
In your own words, explain the difference between symmetrical and non-symmetrical balance. ______
______
Which of these is usually more interesting to look at? Do you agree? ______
Copy and paste one image from this website that will best help you to remember the rules of balance:
Use back button to return the main page.
FramingFraming
Framing means to ______
______
This gives a picture a feeling ______
In the horse riding picture, what effect do the branches have on the image? ______
When you use people for scale and foreground, make sure ______
Copy and paste one image from this website that will best help you to remember the rules of framing:
Use back button to return the main page.
Avoiding MergersAvoiding Mergers
Describe what a merger is in photographic terms? ______
______
What is one way to avoid mergers? ______
We commit a border merger when we ______
______
How can we avoid border mergers? ______
______
______
Near mergers are ______
______
and they have this effect ______
What two suggestions are given to avoid near mergers? ______
and ______
Copy and paste one image from this website that will best help you to remember the rules of avoiding mergers:
Bring your completed sheets to Mrs. Syme Anderson.
Now, it’s GAME TIME! We’ll review this material and then have a test on it. If you just copied the answers without learning anything, then now is the time to go back and read for understanding