Composition: Points to Ponder

PICTURES BROUGHT INTO CLASS:
A-Day = Due Monday Sept. 16th
B-Day = Due Tuesday Sept. 17th

FINAL EDITS POSTED TO BLOGS:
A-Day = Due Friday Sept. 20th
B-Day = Due Thursday Sept. 19th

What is Composition?  = Click to view Power Point 

Points to Ponder 

Before you shoot or compose, ask yourself the following questions. What am I going to do/photograph? Why am I going to make/photograph it? How am I going to make/photograph it? 

Concerning composition, remember the following; 

1. 1. Simplicity: Fill the frame; eliminate dead space; eliminate distracting elements. 
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2. 2.  The eye seeks brightness and sharpness. Always try to get the best lighting and focus. Side lighting = better texture.
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4. 3. Use the “rule of thirds” Position your main subject(s) at any of these points. It will usually result in a more interesting composition. 
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4. 4. Avoid “bull’s eye” and eye level composition.  
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5. 5. To emphasize foreground, place the horizon in the upper half of the frame. 
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7. 6. To emphasize height and distance, place the horizon in the lower half of the frame.

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7. 7.  Leading lines pull the viewers eye and can create certain feelings: 

             horizontal = calm and tranquil          convergence = depth vertical = strength and dignity           curves = serenity and romance diagonal = movement and speed 

8.   With complex or multiple subjects and odd number is easier to compose than even. 

Photography Composition Scavenger Hunt Assignment: Using your digital camera or camera phone, photograph examples that CLEARLY demonstrate the points to ponder #1-8. Photos should be of good quality, well-lit, not pixelated, and clear.  Take at least 30 pictures for a contact sheet.  Create a post on your blog called “Composition: Points to Ponder” using these images. Post on Blog. Label each image correctly with each point discussed in class and write a small explanation of how that label is demonstrated the corresponding image to show your understanding. You are using 1 picture per point.   This will be graded as a project.