Week 2: Composition

This week is all about composition. We were asked to set our cameras to the monochrome/black and white picture style mode in preparation for our upcoming assessment.

Leading lines, rule of thirds, negative space, symmetry, and framing. These are just 5 of many techniques that are generally used throughout photography, and our class task this week was to go out and take photos (in B&W) using these 5 composition techniques.

Generally speaking, photography is subjective; however a photo is composed and taken is completely up to the photographer. In most cases though, when looking at a photo, techniques can often be seen that were used to compose that photo and tell a story.

I’m going to go summarise 5 techniques that help with photo composition, along with photos of my own.

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is all about placing important elements along the lines/thirds of a photo, or where these lines intersect. These lines break up the composition of a photograph and add more interest.

Rule of thirds | Pocket Lenses

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Negative Space

Negative space, sometimes referred as white space, is the area with little or no detail surrounding the main subject of a photo. It is used to emphasise the main focal point of a photo and does so by drawing your eyes away from the negative (blank) space.

The rule of thirds is also quite useful in balancing out photos with negative space.

Symmetry

Symmetry is quite pleasing to the eye and creates balance throughout a photo. Symmetry really lends itself to breaking the rule of thirds by placing your subject in the centre of the photo.

Leading Lines

Leading lines can be both straight and curved, and help by guiding your eye around a photo, often helping to lead you to a certain point. These lines help to tell a story.

Leading lines and symmetry placed along the rule of thirds really help to balance out a photo.

Framing

Framing is used to draw your attention to a certain point of a photo. Edges and lines are used to “frame” the subject point, keeping your eye held within the frame. Frames and leading lines add secondary interest to your photo.

Symmetry and the rule of thirds further guide your eyes in by balancing out a photo.

 

I really enjoyed this week as both lines and black and white are favourite styles of photography for me. I love the simplicity of detail you can capture through line and contrast.