Photography 11
Lesson 1
Composition Review
The goal of this assignment is for you to show your understanding of Photographic Composition
"Composition is all about how you choose to order the visual elements in you picture."
Before you go out and shoot alway remember to check over your camera settings (check out the shooting resources page before heading out)
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White Balance
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ISO
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Shooting Mode - Aperture (depth of field), Shutter Speed (Motion)
WHAT TO DO:
Shoot excellent and unique examples of the following compositional elements.
1) Rule of thirds or the Golden Ratio- The dividing of a viewfinder into horizontal and vertical thirds. The resulting grid will have four key intersections that the main subject should be placed or situated near. (3 Images)
2) Background - The images directly behind the subject that do not affect the clarity of the center of interest are considered to be backgrounds.
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busy
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simple
- make use of depth of field.
(2 Images)
3) Texture - The implied surface of the subject created by the lighting angle as well as the closer distance to the center of interest. Viewers should get feeling that just touching the print can give them the texture of the subject. Examples include bark on a tree, surface of certain fruits and vegetables, concrete, water etc. Do not forget focal point.
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rough
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smooth
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soft
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hard
(4 Images)
4) Depth of field - The area before and after the center of interest that remains in focus. This is controlled through the chosen use of an aperture - f(stop). This technique helps to isolate the center of interest.
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maximum
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minimum
(2 Images)
5) Motion control - The photographer’s ability to create the feeling or motion in a photograph. The precise control or shutter speeds to stop action or the less controlled use of slow shutters speeds to give the illusion of speed.
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blurred motion
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stopped motion
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panning
- You can use found images as examples of these.
(3 Images)
6) Leading lines - Leading lines are usually pathways or roadways but can sometimes be shadows or waves that lead the viewer to the center of interest, or can be bold lines that can capture and viewers attention. (2 Images)
7) Foreground Interest- Imagery in the foreground that helps to frame the subject or helps to lead the viewer’s attention to the center of interest. (2 Images)
8) Contrast - Is the difference between light and dark in an image. High contrast images will have bright highlights and dark shadows, bold colours, and show texture in the subject. Low contrast images will have a narrow range of tones and might therefore feel flat or dull.
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high
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low
(2 Images)
9) Viewpoint - The photographer’s choice of angle of view, which best describes the subject. The choice to make the image have a single point perspective (sometimes static) or a 2 point perspective.
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birds eye view
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worms eye view
(2 Images)
10) Simplicity - The photographers choice to leave the center of interest simple and leave no guesswork for the viewer. The idea is to not include too many objects of interest in a photograph.
(2 Image)
11) Framing - Framing is when you use elements of a scene to create a frame within your frame. For example, you might shoot through a doorway, pulled back curtains, branches, fences, tunnels, or arches to highlight your subject.
(2 Image)
Total of 26 images
PRESENTATION
Use Adobe InDesign to create your presentation.
- Review both Adobe Indesign tutorials.
- Create a layout with the photos and content.
- Make sure you are consistent with image placement, font selection and size throughout document.
- Title the document Compositional Elements.
- Write a short description for each of your images, defending why you selected the particular image and why/how it best describes the compositional element.
Export it out as a pdf file. (file/export/adobe pdf print/high quality print) - name file using naming convention. firstnamelastnameL1.pdf
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”
Ansel Adams
