Rules of Composition

1. Rules of Composition

3. The Rules of Composition should be treated as guidelines. The Rules of Composition

4. Composition is the act of composing the image in the viewfinder. It is a visual process of organizing the elements and individual details of a scene into a balanced and pleasing arrangement.

9. The center of interest in this composition (the bird) was placed in accordance with the Rule of Thirds. The young man's face is placed in counterpoint at an opposing intersection, providing a visually-pleasing balance to the image.

10. Placing the horizon a third of the way down (or up) generally looks better than across the middle of the frame. San Francisco Bay

11. Montreal Skyline

12. The Rule of Thirds correctly placed the center of interest for this subject.

13. Which picture follows the rule of thirds?

15. Which picture follows the rule of thirds?

20. Ansel Adams “ Lake MacDonald”

22. Amanda

23. Montreal, Quebec

25. Brutus

26. A Fly

27. A Spider

28. Charlie

29. San Diego Zoo

31. Angles The unusual shooting angle is a big part of what makes this picture work

35. The Arche de Triomphe

36. Naxos, Greece

37. Playground

43. Lines can draw the eye deep into a picture. And, if they gently curve, they can provide a sense of peace and gracefulness.

45. Old Montreal

48. Westmount Square

49. Playing with Light

50. This picture is about lines and mood. The bright lines of the railings lead the viewer's eye to an inconclusive, vanishing dark point, creating a sense of mystery and interest.

51. Vertical Line: “Aspen Northern New Mexico” (1958) Ansel Adams

52. Vertical Line: Bernice Abbott Rockefeller Center 1935-1939

53. Horizontal Line: Robert Adams Untitled (Denver) 1970-1974

54. Diagonal Line: Bernice Abbott “ Broadway and Exchange Place” 1935-1939

55. Compositional Lines: Bernice Abbott “ Model Tenements” 1935-1939

56. Compositional Lines: Margaret Bourke-White “ Gorky Street Moscow” 1941

58. Here's a case where you have excellent subject control. You can have the model pose anywhere along the walkway. The rule of thirds indicates this placement which also gives the model a definite path to follow within the picture area.

60. You can also use repetitive lines to draw viewers' attention to your center of interest.

61. You can use diagonals as leading lines to provide a way into the picture. It's a simple and easy path for the eye to follow to the main subject.

65. Portrait

66. Portrait

68. Rome, Italy

69. Sky

70. Stratford

75. Montreal, Quebec

76. My Backyard

77. Lady Bug

78. The Moon

82. When you are pleased with a composition, and when you feel it conveys the message you are after, go for it. You are probably right.