Composition


Power Points


         If you place an imaginary rule-of-thirds grid over your photo, you will note that the grid lines cross at 4 points.  These are called the power points of a photo.  By placing the subject in one or more of these power points, it becomes much more appealing, dynamic and interesting to the viewer.  Let's illustrate this point.
In the following photo, the subject has been centered into the frame. While this is still a lovely photo let's see what happens when we re-frame it.


In the left photo, a rule-of-thirds grid is layered over the photo. Notice how the holiday ornaments are placed at a power point location.
The photo on the right shows the photo without the grid.  The photo is much more interesting than the original centered placement. This causes the viewer to stay in the photo longer which is one of the goals.


Visual Tension

Visual tension can help you determine where to place your subject within the frame. When a subject is placed close to the border of the photo when it does not leave the frame, it creates visual tension. Take a second look at professional photos in magazine and advertising.  You will see visual tension all around you.

Here's an example of a photo that is using visual tension.




White Space

White space, the area around the main subject, is sometimes called negative space.The main subject of the photo is called the positive space. You might ask "Does white space have to be white?" Great question! No, white space can be any colour, just look at the photo of the gerber daisy mentioned in the visual tension section. In that photo, the white space (or negative space) is actually black. When a photo has excess clutter and unnecessary objects in the background the viewer will have difficulty focusing on the main subject.

It is said that good design should include a place for the eye to rest.  This is what white space achieves.  Open up a magazine or web page and find it's white space. There will be empty white (or colour) space around the text and the photos.

Take a look at this simple photo below to help illustrate white space.

This photo shows a lots of clutter and background noise that is distracting. It is missing the white space for the eye to rest.


Balance

There are two kinds of balance in photography design: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical means that each half of image replicated the opposite half. If you folded the photo in half you would see the mirrored image, although not always exactly. Asymmetrical means that the photo has the same amount of weight, or objects on either side even thought they are not exactly the same. An example might be a boy on the left side and his dog on the right.
The following photo is an example of symmetrical balance. It is a mirror image both horizontally and vertically.



Orientation


The term orientation might be a bit confusing.  As a rule, there are two types of orientation of photos, landscape and portrait.  Just like the name implies, landscape orientation is usually used for landscape photography, when you want to take a wider shot.  Portrait orientation is used when you want to take a taller shot, like a portrait of a person where they are usually taller than they are wide.

This elephant photo is taken with landscape orientation.

This elephant photo is taken with portrait orientation.


Point of View


Beginner photographers typically take all their photos at eye level from a standing position.  While that can create a lovely photo remember to try and change your point of view.  This might mean moving you subject higher than the camera, lover than the camera or even at an obscure angle.  The results will be well worth it to create a photo that is more unique and interesting to the viewer.

This worms-eye-view photo was taken with the photographer low to the ground resulting in a totally different perspective. Although not the norm, the photographer also chose to tilt the camera to the left. It makes the viewer feel the disorientation and challenge the runner might be feeling at the end of a race.



This concludes the Composition section. Please proceed to the next section where you will work on  Assignment #2: Composition.