KODAK VIDEO – COMPOSITION

“The Seeing Eye”

Guidelines for Good Photographic Composition:

Good Composition defined: Good composition simply means a pleasing selection and arrangement of subjects within the picture area.

1. Simplicy: “Less is more.” Give the center of interest the most visual attention. Select uncomplicated backgrounds. Is your reason for taking the picture clearly seen? Horizontal or vertical? Move in close! Avoid including too much.

2. Rule of Thirds: Place your center of interest at the intersection of two of the 1/3^rd lines. Leave space for people in the picture to move into the photo. Place the horizon line high or low but rarely in the middle. Place verticals off center.

3. Lines: Diagonal lines are dynamic! Use geometric shapes.

4. Balance: That is, subject placement balances all the elements in the picture. Good balance is the arrangement of shapes, colors or areas of light or dark in a complementary way.

5. Framing: framing at top and/or bottom, left and/or right holds viewers interest in the photo.

6. Avoid Mergers: Line mergers, tone mergers, edge mergers all are to be avoided.

Making your Photographs More Appealing      How often has a friend said to you, "That is really a great Photo?"  Not often enough?  Here are some tips on how you can make your photos more interesting.
First , keep your photos simple.  Try for simple, uncomplicated backgrounds.  The best way to ruin a photo is to have, "the background steal the show."  Give the center of interest the most visual attention.  Avoid competing centers of interest.    Move in close.  Many otherwise good photos could be improved by including less.  Less is more!!!
      Take a piece of paper - draw two horizontal lines that divide the area in thirds.  Now draw two vertical lines that divide the area in thirds.  Now draw circles around the points where the lines intersect.  Those four points are ideal places to place the center of interest.  Rarely does one want to place the center of interest in the center of the photo.  Rarely does it work to place the horizon line in the center.  Try placing it above or below center.  
     Many photographers take all of their photos as horizontals.  Try taking some as verticals.  When in doubt, take it both ways and decide later which you prefer.
Diagonal lines are dynamic!   Use diagonals when you can.  Horizontal lines are restful.  Use them when appropriate.  
Look for naturally occurring frames.  Try to find an overhanging tree branch or an archway, a shadow at the bottom, a tree trunk on the left or right.  Frames keep the viewers eye in the picture.  Avoid light areas near the edge of the picture.  Sometimes lines lead the eye out of the picture.  Avoid this where possible.
      It is amazing how quickly one can incorporate these suggestions into our photos without even thinking about them.  Give it a try.  You will be amazed at how much more interesting your photos will be.  
      After you master these suggestions of good composition try to get a good photograph by breaking them.  It's possible.  After all they are just suggestions.
Bill Popejoy, <wpopejoy@aol.com>