1. Introduction to
Digital
Photography
Composition
Part I

2. Photographic
composition is
an expression
of your
natural sense
of design.

3. Line … Directional Thrust:
Curved, Straight. Horizontal, Vertical, and Diagonal
Shape … Naturalistic, Geometric. (the Golden Mean)
Space / Size …spatial Proportion or Scale
Value … Light, Dark.(Arial Perspective)
Color … Hue, Chroma, and Value. ( The Color Wheel)
Texture … Rough, Smooth, Soft, Hard.

4. Unity … Ties elements together.
Harmony … Within each element and as a whole.
Rhythm … Variety and Repetition, pattern.
Contrast … Alternation.
Dominance … Center of Interest, Focal Point

6.  Simplicity  Focal Point
 The Rule of Thirds  Movement
 Pattern/Repetition
 Golden Mean
 Proportion
 Lines
 Balance
 Framing
 Mergers

7.  Focal Point
 Movement
 Pattern/Repetition
 Proportion

8.  Unclutter
 The Rule of Thirds
 Frame your view
 Get up close
 Look for strong
lines and shapes

9. -selecting uncomplicated backgrounds
- avoiding unrelated subjects
Crape myrtle burr

11. Spatial
Interest
Empty Space

12. Biltmore Lion

13. Filling the frame
will help simplify
the photograph

14. Notice narrow depth of field

17. Imogen Cunningham

18. -divided photo into thirds, placing the
center of interest in intersections.

19. - static and less interesting (X)

20. - see the full shadow

23. Tahiti

26. University of Auckland, NZ

27. Auckland, NZ

28. London

29. Cades Cove

30. Parthenon

31. Never cut the
Horizon in half.
Divide sky or water
by thirds.

32. The Golden Mean produces a
harmonic effect that is
found in nature as well as in a
wide variety of works
of art. Artists of various periods
and cultures have
found that dimensions
determined by this formula
are aesthetically appealing.

35. Ansel Adams Andre Kertesz

36. Gt. Smoky Mountains

40. Brassai

41. Diagonal lines
add interest

43. *

45. - path for the eye to follow to the main subject
Blueberry Blossoms

46. Follow the
diagonal line
to the subject
Spring fig leaves

48. A focal point at the
end of a ally way
adds interest.

49. Pantheon, Rome

50. repetitive lines to draw viewers' attention

51. London

52. Curved line moves the eye
through the photograph

53. Lines can simply
add interest and
texture to a
photograph.

54. - triangle adds strong
visual unity to this
picture

55. Triangle
adds
strong
visual
unity.

56. Continue to Composition Part II
C 2012 Julie Sikes-Speir

57. C 2012 Julie Sikes-Speir