Artistic Elements in Composition

www.mappingmemories.

ca

(15-20 minute presentation)

What is the rule of thirds?

COMPOSITION

The RULE OF THIRDS explains that by dividing an image into thirds you discover the areas that our eyes are naturally drawn to (which is not necessarily the center of the frame). The four points where the lines intersect are powerful places in a frame. Once you see this you can think about how to place objects or subjects in your photographs.

Photo credit David Ward

RULE OF THIRDS

By following “The Rule of Thirds” you would not place your subject at the center of the frame but off to one side.

Video Credit: Deborah VanSlet

Notice the space above and in front of each individual - this is called headroom or speaking room. This creates space within the frame. You can position your subject on either side of the frame and if you are taking more than one shot try to mix it up.

SPEAKING ROOM

Photo Credit: Anne Renee Hotte Video Credit: Deborah VanSlet

Speaking room rightSpeaking room left

Long Shot (LS) characters are shown from head to toe

Extreme Long Shot (ESL) - characters are small and landscape is prioritized

Photo Credit: Anne Renee Hotte

Photo Credit: Josee Pednault

SHOT DISTANCE

Close Up (CU) - emphasizes faces or details

Medium Shot (MS)- the head and the chest fill the frame

Photo Credit: Anne Renee Hotte

SHOT - DISTANCE

Extreme Close up - emphasizes details

Extreme close ups are useful when someone prefers to remain anonymous

SHOT - DISTANCE

Photo credit David Ward Photo credit Participant

Photo credit David Ward

CAMERA ANGLESHigh angle - the camera is higher than your subject.

Be bold: you can step on a chair or climb a stair to get a great shot.This angle suggests that your subject is vulnerable.

Photo credit Bylow

Low angle - camera is lower than your subject

Photo Credit:Martha Stiegman

Low angles are often used to suggest a person is powerful.

CAMERA ANGLE

Note: Both high and low angles can distort what a person actually looks like.

CAMERA ANGLE

Photo credit David Ward

eye-level

Point of View captures what a character is looking atand what they are doing.

Video Credit: Deborah VanSlet

POV - POINT OF VIEW

This camera angle captures the character (tourist) and what the character is looking at (scenery)

Photo credit Yukinori Hirata

POV - OVER SHOULDER

How are these photographs different? How does composition impact the mood of the photograph?

Photo credit David Ward

COMPOSITION & MOODS

COMPOSITION & MOODS

Photo Credit: Anne Renee Hotte

How are these photographs different? What is the mood of each? How does composition impact the mood of the photograph?

FOREGROUND / BACKGROUND

Use a full or long shot and use your background to help tell a story.

Photo credit Gracia Jalea

FOREGROUND - BACKGROUND

What more do you know about your subject now?Photo credit Gracia Jalea

Framing your center of interest within a frame

Photo credit Deborah VanSlet

FRAME WITHIN A FRAME

Look for ‘guiding lines’ like paths to help direct your viewers eyes to the focal point.

Photo credit Yukinori Hirata

GUIDING LINES

PROTECTING IDENTITY

Blur the subject Avoid the facePhoto Credit: David Ward

PROTECTING IDENTITY

Photo Credit: David Ward

Make use of close ups

By taking an image of a subject in front of a window or light source you can create a silhouette effect.

SILHOUETTE

Photo Credit: Anne Renee Hotte

Storyboard your ideas

•Fold a blank page into four squares and open it.

•Sketch out the shots that will illustrate or complement your story. Try a variety of shots - long, medium, close up, high, low.

•Try imagining the first or last shot. How do you want to introduce the story? What is the last shot - ie what do you want a viewer to walk away with?

Variety of Shots / Message

What is the story here? What kinds of shots have they used?

Variety of Shots / Message

Should I leave?Saying goodbye to family

A final embrace The departure