• Introduction
• Subject
• Composition
  • Perception
    • Gestalt
    • Grouping
    • Space
    • Depth
    • Constancy
  • Elements
    • Lines
    • Shapes
    • Forms
    • Value
    • Color
    • Texture
  • Relation
    • Isolation
    • Placement
    • Patterns
    • Balance
    • Dominance
    • Mergers
    • Framing
    • Layers
  • Scene
    • Lighting
    • People
    • Study
    • Q&A

Photo Composition for Better Photography

Notes from the Web

 

Lines

 

 

Lines are multifaceted: by themselves they have a certain character in regards to their thickness, length, continuity, and shape. In the context of a photo, they can also align and connect objects, outline shapes, and seperate regions.

 

 

Generally, the lines you see in a photo are either real or implied.

• Actual lines - examples include
  • horizon line, roads, railroad tracks, fences, trees, ledges, etc.
• Implied lines - for example
  • Objects that are edge or center aligned create an implied line
  • Similar objects can appear to be connected by straight or elliptical lines. An example would be three birds that appear to be the vertices of an implied triangle.
  • Regions of contrast (color or light) create an implied boundry line. The greater the contrast between the two sides of the boundry, the more prominent the line.
  • Another example of implied lines would be contour lines between the positive shapes (objects) and negative spaces (space between objects

 

The shape and direction of a line have a certain expresiveness and emotional impact.

 

• Vertical
  • denote stability, height, strength
  • example trees, people standing up, buildings, mountains
• Horizontal
  • denote repose, stability, peacefulness
  • people laying down, flat lake, desert, or field
• Diagonal
  • give the sensation of force, energy, motion, and action
  • trees bent by the wind, people in action
• Circular
  • circles capture the eye, and keep the eye in the picture
  • ponds, outdoor track and fields
• Curve
  • can offer beauty and charm
  • female form, river, path
• S-Curves
  • charm, elasticity, grace, strength, and balance
  • roads, rivers, etc
• Intersecting
  • The human eye is involuntarily drawn to junctures. Intersections are used as strategic points for placement in composition
• Converging
  • Draws attention to the center of convergence
• Parralel
  • reinforce each other and add a strong sense of direction
• Jagged

 

 

Lines - What they do

• Lines can unify background and foreground
• Lines can provide relationships between the various elements of the composition
• Lines provide a path for the eye to follow
• Lines often outline a shape

 

 

Lines - Eye Movement

• Lines can lead the eye to the subject.
• Lines (straight or curve) can lead the eye into the picture — the so called “leading” line
• Do not block the eye's entry to the scene with a large object — the eye will stop here
• Stop the eye from exiting the photo — capture it with the subject or an object
• Eye entry is often from the lower left and continues to up to the right

 

 

Lines - Tips

 

• Walk around the subject, changing your camera angle to take advantage of lines in the scene.
• Try shots that begin low to the ground