Week 6: Composition

14.09.2013
Wan Mohd Danial (0316570),
Introduction2Photography
Exercise 4a & 4b : Rule Of Thirds & Principles Underpinning Composition

Lecture

Rule of Thirds

We start off with the rule of thirds, which Mr. Vinod told was more of a guide instead of a rule for photography. It is the act of aligning the subject matter with one of the points where the lines cross.

Which mean that our subject matter is one third of the way into the picture space. It can be from either top or bottom, and from either the left or right. It means the subject would not be in the middle.

Counterpoint

We also learned about creating a counterpoint to enhance the picture composition. It is done by placing a secondary focal point at the diagonally opposite thirds position of the primary focal point.

Triangular Composition

This is a method of placing a secondary and tertiary focal point alongside a primary focal point to enhance the image. It gives a sense of depth into a photograph and may show dominance in an image. Which is trademarked by our very own Mr. Vinod

Madonna, Da Vinci

Principles Underpinning Composition

There are also principles of Design that underpin composition. These principles can also be used when composing or considering elements within a picture.

The principles are:

•Domination/Emphasis

•Isolation

•Balance

•Repetition

•Alignment

•Contrast

•Rhythm

•Symmetry/Asymmetry

•Harmony

Exercise

Exercise 4a

There are 3 images that we have to capture using the rule of thirds:

1. Using a person

2. Using 3 persons

3. Using a scenery

We also had to place the image with the Rule Of Thirds lines visible and another one without the lines side by side for one image.

Using a person

SS 1/125  F16  ISO 200

Using 3 People

SS 1/50  F16  ISO 200

Using a scenery

SS 1/80  F13  ISO 100

Screenshot:

Reflections 4a

From all the pictures above, I think the Rule of Thirds gives the focal point a relationship between it and the background or a secondary focal point. It creates an image that has tension on its focal point yet still has a lot of room for the image to breathe. Which in turn, gives the image a very nice composition.

Exercise 4b

Following the principles of design as stated on the above, we have to capture 4 images that underpins the principles of composition and print the images on an A4 paper for the hardcopy.

ISO 200  SS 1/200  F5
-Contrast
-Proportion 

ISO 200 SS 1/15  F11
-Asymmetry
-Rhythm

ISO 200  SS 1/15  F20
-Repetition
-Rhythm

ISO 200  SS 1/200  F16
-Balance
-Repetition

Reflections 4b

We can definitely see that photographs that underpins certain principles of composition will make the photograph very interesting.