In the language of visual arts, particularly in the field of photography, composition means the arrangement of visual elements/ingredients in a work of art or a photographs distinct from the subject of work.In other words, it can also be thought of as orientation of elements of art according to the principle of art.
A sound composition is one of the key elements in a good photo.It must be considered that a photoartist rarely makes use of all of the ingredients of composition in the making of a photograph.Only a few tools play a very vital role in photography composition.
- Rule of Thirds:
Arguably one of the most well-known principles of photographic composition is the rule of thirds.The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to break the image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) with the help of imaginary grid lines so that the photo has 9 parts.
Considering this conventional grid in mind, the image now finds 4 important parts according to the rule of thirds that one should consider placing points of interest during the framing of image.Not only that, but we also have 4 lines that are also useful for positioning of objects in the image.
The theory that goes behind the rule of thirds is that if a photoartist positions the points of interest in the intersections or along the lines then, the picture becomes more balanced and will enable the viewer to interact with it more naturally.
- Try to cut out the clutter:
In any photograph, the key is to try and avoid creating a clutter so as to maintain the balance and point of interest in a photo.Often our primary point of interest can get overlooked because of distracting background elements or more prominent secondary points of interest.
In the above photo, any primary point of interest cannot be distinctively identified.But the photo is a nice description of a group action.Thus, if the focus would have been on a certain man or men, then the artist might had to reposition himself so as to cut out the crowd (clutter).Using depth of field on a point of interest might also have done the job.
In some cases, moving the subject manually or manipulating the background or foreground enhances de-cluttering effect, like the use of silhouettes or monochrome.
Also, try using odd numbers in a shot as they are better than even ones in a photo.Actually, odd numbers create balance and visual interest, 3 objects in a shot are particularly the best.
- Golden Triangle:
The Golden Trianglerule is a rule of thumb in visual composition for photographs or paintings, especially those which have elements that follow diagonal lines. The frame is divided into four triangles of two different sizes, done by drawing one diagonal from one corner to another, and then two lines from the other corners, touching the first at 90 degree angles.
This type of arrangement has been in use since the renaissance.The need for this type of arrangement is that it shows peace while the symmetry conveys clarity and harmony.Speaking of Golden Triangles, we move to something known as the Golden Ratio.
- Golden Ratio:
The golden ratio is 1.618:1.Since renaissance, artists have been using this ratio to create masterpieces.It is said that Monalisa’s face was painted according to this ratio.Mathematicians, since Euclid, have shown us how the golden ratio occurs in the nature and the aesthetic beauty of the spiral (the fibonacci spiral) that it creates adds simplicity and harmony to our composition.
Let the length be a and the breadth be b.
(a+b)/a = a/b = 1.618 (phi) or (1+√5)/2.
If we keep on dividing the rectangle of dimensions ‘a and b’ according to 1.616:1 ratio, we will get a spiral (as shown in the figure above) known as the fibonacci spiral.
http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/EMT668/EMT668.Folders.F97/Norton/Final/Fibonacci.html
A sneak peek here will show you that the fibonacci numbers obey the golden ratio.
Using the ratio in compositions:
The spiral occurs naturally around us.We just have to spot it and frame it.
- Lines, patterns and symmetry:
Lines are powerful elements in an image.They hold the power to draw the viewer’s eye to focal points in a shot and to impact the ‘feel’ of an image greatly.Diagonal, horizontal, verttical or converging lines all impact images differently and so the aim should be to utilize them.The most commonly used are leading lines, which are essentially lines that lead the viewer to the subject in a frame.
Let’s visit patterns.For capturing repetitive subjects, patterns prove to be very useful.Either emphasize the patterns or break the patterns.
These photographs break the patterns.
Depending upon the scene, symmetry can either be something to go for or to avoid totally.Symmetrical shot with a strong composition and a good point of interest can lead to a striking image, but without a strong point of interest, it can be a little predictable.
6.Visual Tension:
The eye automatically looks for signs or indicators to better understand what we are seeing. Our eyes works as a visual filter that notices things that seem important, for instance: to look out for danger, to understand social cues, to better understand our surroundings, etc.
When composing images we aren’t literally creating elements in a frame, instead we are consciously observing the world and deciding how to place our cameras and bodies in the optimal position to create an effective photograph.
What separates the wheat from the chaff is visual tension, something photography has borrowed from artists throughout time who have used tension to create their masterpieces.
Visual tension is a compositional technique that uses a variety of framing approaches to create dynamic elements in a photograph to draw and provoke the viewer’s eyes, i.e., we try to make photographic compositions that our own eyes would be drawn to, and use this as a basis to create a good photograph.
How to Create Visual Tension?
When the focus of an image is in the center of the frame with no more than a foreground and other non-unifying elements, the brain perceives it as static, i.e., no visual tension.
When we take away the boring focal point from the center of the frame to the edges we can create visual tension in our photographs. So instead of having an anchor in the middle that creates a sort of dull visual for our viewers, capturing elements on the edges of the frame, complimented by other dynamic elements, we can effectively create tension for our audience that draws in their eyes.
An example of the earlier case.
Creating visual tension uses various techniques to achieve results, and the techniques stated can be used to achieve the desired effect.
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