UNDERSTANDING COMPOSITION
composition refers to how objects and elements are placed relative to each other in your image. Good composition rules apply across all different types of visual art, from illustration to design. The goal of the principles of composition is to emphasize the parts of your image that you want your viewer to notice, and to create an overall feeling of balance when they look at the image.
Once you understand these rules of composition, you’ll begin to see why some Art just looks better than others. A good composition uses a few of the pulls from a lot of techniques and skills below are a few of the basics. When going out to shoot photos for this assignment remember that this is all about everyday life. Initially you may not find these to be the most interesting subjects of all time but with the right composition it can take the ordinary to extraordinary.
Once you understand these rules of composition, you’ll begin to see why some Art just looks better than others. A good composition uses a few of the pulls from a lot of techniques and skills below are a few of the basics. When going out to shoot photos for this assignment remember that this is all about everyday life. Initially you may not find these to be the most interesting subjects of all time but with the right composition it can take the ordinary to extraordinary.
RULE OF THIRDS
FRAME WITHIN A FRAME
A composition photography principle you’ll definitely want to get familiar with is using frames within the frame. Almost anything can be a frame in your image composition. For urban photographers, a bridge, a doorway or even an ally can be examples of a framing elements you can use. If you are out in nature using flowers, trees, or other plant life can be used to create natural frame as well as help develop a sense of place.
As a viewer we like to know where we are suppose to be focusing our attention and where the story begins. . By using a frame within a framein your photo composition, you’re creating an element that emphasizes the importance of your main subject in a way that is visually appealing, without being distracting or taking away focus.
A composition photography principle you’ll definitely want to get familiar with is using frames within the frame. Almost anything can be a frame in your image composition. For urban photographers, a bridge, a doorway or even an ally can be examples of a framing elements you can use. If you are out in nature using flowers, trees, or other plant life can be used to create natural frame as well as help develop a sense of place.
As a viewer we like to know where we are suppose to be focusing our attention and where the story begins. . By using a frame within a framein your photo composition, you’re creating an element that emphasizes the importance of your main subject in a way that is visually appealing, without being distracting or taking away focus.
LEADING LINES
Leading Lines Basically refer to using natural lines or shapes to guide the eye towards your main subject. This forces the viewer’s eye to start at one end of the photograph and move to another end, as in diagonal or converging lines. Keep horizontal and vertical planes straight if you want to reflect reality (in other words, don’t tilt the camera to create diagonals). Because we “read” from left to right, “down” left and “up” right is sometimes said to be better (going up instead of going down)— you decide! Look for things like rivers, train tracks, doorways or shadows, and get creative!
Leading Lines Basically refer to using natural lines or shapes to guide the eye towards your main subject. This forces the viewer’s eye to start at one end of the photograph and move to another end, as in diagonal or converging lines. Keep horizontal and vertical planes straight if you want to reflect reality (in other words, don’t tilt the camera to create diagonals). Because we “read” from left to right, “down” left and “up” right is sometimes said to be better (going up instead of going down)— you decide! Look for things like rivers, train tracks, doorways or shadows, and get creative!
SYMMETRY
Imagine folding your photo in half and along the line of symmetry, if both halves were identical that would be an example of perfect symmetry. The thing is, is that in the real world isn't perfect and a composition doesn't necessarily have to be perfect to be considered symmetrical. If you can find a composition that closely replicates a pattern, object, or subject on both sides it is considered symmetrical balance.
In fact, a slight break in symmetry can be very appealing. A symmetrical image grabs attention. Once you have your viewer’s attention and they go in for a closer look, a break in the symmetry catches the eye and gives it somewhere to rest. Breaking the symmetry can also introduce tension to an image, which automatically makes it more interesting.
Imagine folding your photo in half and along the line of symmetry, if both halves were identical that would be an example of perfect symmetry. The thing is, is that in the real world isn't perfect and a composition doesn't necessarily have to be perfect to be considered symmetrical. If you can find a composition that closely replicates a pattern, object, or subject on both sides it is considered symmetrical balance.
In fact, a slight break in symmetry can be very appealing. A symmetrical image grabs attention. Once you have your viewer’s attention and they go in for a closer look, a break in the symmetry catches the eye and gives it somewhere to rest. Breaking the symmetry can also introduce tension to an image, which automatically makes it more interesting.
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Wes Anderson doesn’t just make movies — he makes art. Central to that style is Anderson’s love of symmetry, highlighted beautifully by the viral video below.
Our brains are hardwired to love symmetry. We humans tend to judge physical attractiveness based on facial symmetry. Its effect is so powerful that “even infants as young as 4 months old recognize and prefer symmetry.” As a design technique, symmetry can be a kind of shortcut to creating impactful imagery. |
FILLING THE FRAME
As a photography teacher one of the most common issues with students photos are that it is unclear what I should be looking at as viewer. The background is either so cluttered that it is distracting or the "Main Subject" is taking up such a small portion of the image that it get lost in the frame. Understanding how much space to leave around your subject or how much to crop out is a learned skill that takes a bit of bravery and experience. Don't be afraid to get in close so you "FILL THE FRAME" so that you can clearly tell the viewer who or what your subject is.
Zoom lenses are obviously nice but moving your feet to get a bit closer is way cheaper! When you first start out getting close to your subject can be a bit intimidating. In the beginning practice with people you feel comfortable with or pets. One of the many benefits of getting in close with your feet is that you can get a much wider range of angles and perspectives than you can't do with just zooming.
Below is an example pulled from expertphotography.com. Compare the two images of a busy street in Delhi, India. Though the subject is the same in both images, the tighter crop focuses on the subject and still retains the context of a busy street in India.
As a photography teacher one of the most common issues with students photos are that it is unclear what I should be looking at as viewer. The background is either so cluttered that it is distracting or the "Main Subject" is taking up such a small portion of the image that it get lost in the frame. Understanding how much space to leave around your subject or how much to crop out is a learned skill that takes a bit of bravery and experience. Don't be afraid to get in close so you "FILL THE FRAME" so that you can clearly tell the viewer who or what your subject is.
Zoom lenses are obviously nice but moving your feet to get a bit closer is way cheaper! When you first start out getting close to your subject can be a bit intimidating. In the beginning practice with people you feel comfortable with or pets. One of the many benefits of getting in close with your feet is that you can get a much wider range of angles and perspectives than you can't do with just zooming.
Below is an example pulled from expertphotography.com. Compare the two images of a busy street in Delhi, India. Though the subject is the same in both images, the tighter crop focuses on the subject and still retains the context of a busy street in India.
INSIDE OF CLASS FORMATIVE ASSIGNMENT
In this assignment you will be taking one object from the still life cabinet and create 6 unique compositions highlighting different angles and aspects of the item to create interesting and engaging compositions.
This will be done in class with pencil.
In this assignment you will be taking one object from the still life cabinet and create 6 unique compositions highlighting different angles and aspects of the item to create interesting and engaging compositions.
This will be done in class with pencil.
OUTSIDE OF CLASS FORMATIVE ASSIGNMENT
For each composition technique you will be expected to take a minimum of 10 original photos of everyday life that demonstrates that specific technique. You will create a google slide document that will house all of the labeled photos in one document.
YOU MUST SUBMIT A .PDF OF YOUR GOOGLE SLIDE TO SCHOOLOGY (see below)
These photos will be the refrance images for your Summative drawing!
For each composition technique you will be expected to take a minimum of 10 original photos of everyday life that demonstrates that specific technique. You will create a google slide document that will house all of the labeled photos in one document.
YOU MUST SUBMIT A .PDF OF YOUR GOOGLE SLIDE TO SCHOOLOGY (see below)
These photos will be the refrance images for your Summative drawing!
Rituals Of ResilienceRituals of Resilience is about the act of survival under intense pressure and heat. A place to hide when being in your body isn’t safe. A reimagining of new worlds and possibilities. The creative culture of Indigenous and diasporic ethnic groups of African descent surviving and dismantling 400 years of white supremacy. . . through a visceral fabric of repetitious intentional movements, vibrations, gatherings, acts, symbols, and codes.
Rituals of Resilience is an audio-visual experience bringing the work of Black visual artists into dialogue with a sonic landscape created by Twin Cities-based musician, artist, and community organizer Chaka Mkali (aka I Self Devine). The accompanying album grew from Mkali’s in-depth research on the work of each artist, and approaches their individual visual practice as a means to access and articulate a collective Black consciousness that transcends time and space. |
SUMMATIVE ASSIGNMENT
Artists have been documenting the world around them for as long as their has been art.
I am looking for a deeper understanding / representation of the world around you, your everyday life and your environment. I not necessarily looking for or want a technically accurate drawing. There needs to be a personal voice.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE STARTING YOUR ASSIGNMENT
How does the photo and Drawing represent part of your everyday world / environment?
What drew you to take this specific photo rather than the infinite number of other possible photos?
What objects and people can you emphasize through your intentional use of composition to tell your story?
What colors or line weights do you use and how does that add to the story?
Are there things that you can exaggerated to help the viewer understand your story / voice?
Did you add elements that were not originally there? Why and how did / can it alter the meaning of the story?
We can look to artists like Yehuda and Maya Devir, Achilleas Mesaikos, and Fracisco Silva as great examples of how an artist can interpret their everyday world.
Requirements
Artists have been documenting the world around them for as long as their has been art.
I am looking for a deeper understanding / representation of the world around you, your everyday life and your environment. I not necessarily looking for or want a technically accurate drawing. There needs to be a personal voice.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE STARTING YOUR ASSIGNMENT
How does the photo and Drawing represent part of your everyday world / environment?
What drew you to take this specific photo rather than the infinite number of other possible photos?
What objects and people can you emphasize through your intentional use of composition to tell your story?
What colors or line weights do you use and how does that add to the story?
Are there things that you can exaggerated to help the viewer understand your story / voice?
Did you add elements that were not originally there? Why and how did / can it alter the meaning of the story?
We can look to artists like Yehuda and Maya Devir, Achilleas Mesaikos, and Fracisco Silva as great examples of how an artist can interpret their everyday world.
Requirements
- intentional use of composition techniques
- must be heavily influenced by the photo references that you took
- intentional use (or lack) of color
- artist statement explaining your choices (this will be a separate submission / assignment)
- minimum of 8.5in x 11in
- FILL THE FRAME!!!! - No Floating objects in the middle of a white paper
- minimum of 4 work in process photos (aka show your work!!)
- at least one of your photo references
- can be done in whatever medium and style you choose(digital, marker, watercolor, etc)
REFERENCES / LINKS
https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/photography/photo-composition
https://www.lightandmatter.org/2018/learn-photography/composition/photo-composition-leading-lines/
https://iphonephotographyschool.com/finding-symmetry/
https://thelenslounge.com/photography-composition-symmetry-tips/
https://expertphotography.com/fill-the-frame-composition/
https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/photography/photo-composition
https://www.lightandmatter.org/2018/learn-photography/composition/photo-composition-leading-lines/
https://iphonephotographyschool.com/finding-symmetry/
https://thelenslounge.com/photography-composition-symmetry-tips/
https://expertphotography.com/fill-the-frame-composition/