Composition Basics

Composition is defined as the arrangement and combination of elements within a confined frame such as a canvass, a photograph to create a complete image. Composition can include factors such as design, order, structure, texture, form, and other elements brought together in one frame.

In photography, composition is probably the biggest influential factor in creating eye-catching works of art. The ability of a photographer to include or exclude certain elements in a scene, arrange the subject’s position, change vantage points, and other compositional techniques separate a random snapshot from an actively composed photograph.

While human eyes can interpret three-dimensions with relative ease, the ability of our eyes to decode distance, depth, texture, and patterns are not easily tranlated on a two-dimensional photographic image.

It is the task of the photographer to simulate and recreate three-dimensions into a two-dimension medium, and understanding the basic forms of composition is paramount in order to achieve this goal.

Alignment

Alignment can be interpreted as how the internal items of the frame line up to the physical edges of the photograph itself. A camera often has a horizonally placed rectangular frame with the length being longer than the height. Most beginners instinctively hold the camera as the camera’s form dictates, however, many vantage point are better suited if the camera was tilted at certain angles or when the camera is held vertically.

Alignment can mean from ensuring that horizon of the subject lined up to the edges of the image frame, or making sure that subjects are lined up against each other within the frame.

Some images tend to favor a vertically oriented alignment to illustrate height and size. Vertical composition can also benefit from having a blank sky as a backdrop to isolate the subject away from distracting elements.

Coverage

Coverage denotes the amount of space the subject fills the entire image area. Some images are best suited when the subject fills as much of the frame as possible while others are better suited if placed in a small are within the image.

Generally speaking, it is best to fill the frame with the subject if the details of the subject must be displayed and is a critical part of the image’s purpose.

There are cases, however, that isolating a subject allows the photographer to show scale and relative differences of two or more elements in a frame that would not be possible if the subject filled the frame by itself.

Arrangement

The arrangement of elements within a frame may be pre-arranged by the photographer or pre-arranged by circumstance. The more control the photographer has in arranging the subject or subjects according to the intended output, the greater the accuracy, intent, and detail is expected in the output, in general.

On the other hand, in many outdoor or impromptu photographs, the subjects or elements may be fixed and immovable, in such cases, the photographer will have to be the one to physically move the camera’s position to compose the photograph to fit the intended subject in the frame.

Whether or not the photographer can physically manipulate the elements in the scene or not, the general intent is still to direct focus and attention to the intended subject or message of the photograph.

Basic Rules

There are some universally accepted “recommended guidelines” about composition that will instantly transform a beginner’s snapshot to a more involved and deliberately composed photograph.

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds instructs the photographer to pre-visualize the scene divided into a three-by-three grid in the frame while placing the subject of interest in one of the four intersecting points of the grid.

The general assumption is based on the age-old concept of the golden ratio. Using the rule-of-thirds creates tension and balance in a visual image, allowing different sections of the image to follow a certain flow for the viewer, much like how we normally read from upper left to lower right, for instance.

Using the rule-of-thirds allow the viewer to progressively scan the image from one part to another in a subliminal sequence.

Use of Lines

The world is filled with various lines that indicate flow direction such as a flowing lake, cascading waves, intensity of the sun’s lightrays, or a strip of road. All these lines help us visualize a beginning and an end of a particular scene.

Leading lines can be used in photographs to direct viewers to or from the central subject of interest in a more direct fashion than the rule of thirds. Lines allow viewers to visualize depth and distance from one point to another.

Stacking

Stacking elements also suggests depth and distance of various elements within a scene. By comparing the relative size and distance of one object from another, we can create a sense of scale and depth between the two or more elements in a two-dimensional frame.

Secondary Frames

Placing your subject in an actual frame that is contained by the edges of the photograph itself can effectively direct the viewer’s attention to the subject in a very deliberate manner. A secondary frame can be a door arch, a stream of light, a window, or gaps between buildings, for instance.

Colors and Shades

The arrangement of colors and shades in a frame can also work as a compositional element when used properly. Certain colors accentuate one another while other colors subdue each other, knowing when to use colors to direct attention to a subject can be just as effective as placing a subject in certain parts of the frame.

Color can also act as a separator between light and dark areas, forcing the viewer to look at very specific areas in the frame.

Texture

Texture offers a visually tangible and organic feel to photographs. Despite seeing a photograph either on screen or print, images that depict strong textures and sharp features often “pops out” and projects a three-dimensional image.

Using textures on certain subject matter such as rustic elements, weathered expressions and facial features, or abstract scenes can transform a bland image to an engaging and self-expressing photograph.

Break the Rules

Most of the rules mentioned above are good guidelines to follow for consistent and solid compositions, however, do not confine yourself to these rules when a better composition is available, even if it goes against these widely accepted norms.

For example, most photographs appear dull, imbalanced, and poorly framed if placed dead-center of the frame, however, many symmetrical scenes benefit from a dead-center subject positioning as compared to following the rule-of-thirds, for example.

Knowing the rules will allow you to bend the rules as required by the scene. Keep in mind, however, that the difference between a deliberate, creative decision to break these rules and not implementing the basic rules due to lack of knowledge is easily visible by experienced photo viewers, so make sure you have explored the compositions based on the basic rules before determining whether or not it’s more appealing to break the rules.

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