Transcript Introduction to Photography

Introduction to
Photography
Multi Media 2012
Rule Of Thirds
The Rule Of Thirds is based on the fact that the
eye is naturally drawn to a point about two thirds
up a page. The picture is divided into 9 equal
sections by 2 horizontal and 2 vertical lines.
The subject, or the most significant parts
of your photograph, is positioned along
any of these lines preferably in the points
where the lines intersect.
The Diagonal Rule
The Diagonal Rule states that a photograph
looks more dynamic if the objects fall or follow a
diagonal line. The diagonal line doesn't have to
be an actual line and it doesn't have to be a
straight one. It could be the edges of a river, the
top of a forest, or even an imaginary line
connecting the different objects in the scene.
By placing natural elements that form a line
along these diagonal guides makes the picture
more pleasing and dynamic.
If there are no imaginary or real
diagonal lines that can be seen
within a scene, sometimes a
simple change of position or
elevation is enough to produce a
useful angle on the objects in the
scene. A sufficient amount of
Perspective Distiortion from a
wide angle lens may also help.
Leading Lines
Leading Lines are lines or objects that
make up a line within a scene that is used
to direct the attention of the viewer. Use
leading lines to draw the viewer's eye
through the photograph towards the
subject or the area which is the most
significant in the scene.
Look for any natural or man-made structure
within the scene such as roads, shadows, edges
of a cliff, or buildings that can be used to point
towards the subject. The lines may start
anywhere from outside of the photograph but the
most effective leading lines are those that start
somewhere in the bottom and flows towards the
main subject. The lines may be straight or
curved. Straight lines produce a rather
aggressive and dynamic effect while curve lines
gives the picture a more gentle and calm feel.
“S” Curve
Another dynamic composition tool is to
include a “S” curve. As the name
suggests, a major element of the
composition would be an object such as a
stream, path, railing, or other curved
object that creates an “S.”
• If the S is right facing and starts in the
lower left corner and exits the upper right
corner – the feeling for most English
speaking people is that the picture is
moving away from the viewer.
• If the “S” is reversed, and starts in the
upper left corner coming down to the lower
right, the picture seems to be coming
towards the viewer. This effect is from, I
believe, learning to read left to right.
Balance
There are a few ways to achieve balance in photos.
• The first is through symmetry – where you
have equal size subjects on either side of
the photo. This creates a static, solid look
with little movement.
The second is to place dissimilar size objects
on either side, but to use the center of the
photo as a balance point in an asymmetrical
composition. If you have a grouping of
objects on one side, you’ll need something
further out on the other side to create
balance. An asymmetrical composition
creates a sense of movement and action,
even if the subject is a stone.
Positive and Negative Space
• The primary subject of
your photo, a person,
building, toy car… is
the “positive space.”
• Negative space is
everything else.
Negative Space
Positive Space
BTW
• Something you see in a lot of photography
is things sticking out of heads, wires
across the scene you didn’t see when
taking the picture, and so on. This is just
from paying so much attention to the
subject that photographers forget what is
in the background or surrounding the
subject.