Monday, October 1, 2007

The Rule

There are many rules-of-thumb when composing your images. Look up some composition rules and describe them as a comment to this post.

1-2 rules with very little or confusing definition = 75%
1 rules with in depth explanation (with images?) = 85%
2 rules with in depth explanation (with images?) = 95%

19 comments:

jeromyt09 said...

The Rule of thirds.
1Simplicity
2Key Element(s)
3Color
2.The Golden triangle rule

Chelsea Ann said...

Rule Of Thirds

(http://www.picturecorrect.com/images/206/rule-of-thirds.jpg)

This rule is based on the idea that our eyes go about 2/3 of the way up a photo. When you're framing a shot, draw 4 invisible lines, dividing the shot into 3rds both ways, and position your subject (where you want someone's eyes to go) where two lines intersect.

Framing

(http://www.picturecorrect.com/images/206/framing-window.jpg)

Frame your subject with its surroundings: In the above picture, the cathedral outside is the main focus of the picture, but the chair, table, and walls frame the shot. These details give the picture more depth, and makes it a much more interesting shot than simply pointing the camera out the window.

Myca said...

THE RULE OF THIRDS: is based on the fact that the human eye is naturally drawn to a point about two-thirds up a page. [Wierd!] Crop your photo so that the main subjects are located around one of the intersection points instead of the center of the page.

THE GOLDEN RULE: certain points in a picture's composition automatically attract the viewer's attention. Also, a lot of natural or man-made objects and scenes with certain proportions automatically please us.

ALL IMAGES ON THE SAME PAGE:
http://www.colorpilot.com/comp_rules.html

masonp said...

The Rule of thirds.
1Simplicity
2Key Element(s)
3Color
2.The Golden triangle rule

Alishander Magnusson said...

Rule of Thirds:
Divide pictures into threes. Aim the camera so that the main subject is within the center-third of the frame. Off centering to left-right thirds creates a pleasing effect as well.

Not too much 'happening' in the frame. Too many colors and designs are distracting.

Symmetry and geometry are pleasing to look at.

Too much or too little light is distracting.

{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds}
Picture on this article helps explain.

Miranda said...

http://www.colorpilot.com/comp_rules.html
The Rule of thirds is based on the fact that the human eye is naturally drawn to a point that is 2/3 up a page, so crop your photo so that the main sections are located near the intersections of the lines.
Diagonal Rule: One side of the picture is divided into two, and then each half is divided into three parts. The adjacent side is divided so that the lines connecting the resulting points form a diagonal frame. According to the Diagonal Rule, important elements of the picture should be placed along these diagonals.

Kait Powell said...

The rule of thirds is that a picture can be divided into 9 parts. With three even columns going up the picture and three even rows going across the picture. The lines can be used to set points of interest, like in this picture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Rivertree_thirds_md.gif
where the tree hits a vertical line, and the area where the horizon ends meets a horizontal line. Studies have shown that people's eyes naturally go to the invisible lines, where the points of interest should be.

Another rule is the rule of symmetry.

In the rule of symmetry is when the photographer takes a picture of an object/thing and places it right in the middle so it has symmetry on both sides. This rule can't be used with the rule of thirds, as the rule of thirds doesn't allow a main point to be in the dead center of the picture.

This is a picture of the rule of symmetry:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/straightfinder/303790675/

Anonymous said...

Rule of Thirds:
Divide pictures into threes. Aim the camera so that the main subject is within the center-third of the frame. Off centering to left-right thirds creates a pleasing effect as well.

Not too much 'happening' in the frame. Too many colors and designs are distracting.

Symmetry and geometry are pleasing to look at.

Too much or too little light is distracting.

{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds}
Picture on this article helps explain.

miles said...

THE RULE OF THE THIRDS

The rule of thirds is a compositional rule of thumb in photography and other visual arts such as painting. The rule states that an image can be divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines. The four points formed by the intersections of these lines can be used to align features in the photograph. Proponents of this technique claim that aligning a photograph with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the photo than simply centering the feature would.
(cite:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_third)


FILLING IN THE FRAME/HEADROOM
Sometimes, your mind tends to exaggerate what you see on the LCD panel. You often perceive things a bit bigger than they actually are and you also tend not to notice 'slight' distractions. What you end up with is photographs with huge areas of wasted space around the edge and people with things growing out of their heads. Make sure your subject is filling in the frame. The best way to do this is to move a bit closer. Before you press that shutter release have a quick look around the edge of the frame and behind your subject. Make sure that you don't have acres of space full of nothing around the main subject. This example shows 2 pictures of a bolt. The first composition focuses on the bolt giving the viewer lots of details of rust, pealed paint, and metal texture of the bolt, washer and nut. The main element fills in the frame. The second example shows the bolt lost in the frame that looks way too big for nothing.

CITE: http://trem.ca/learning.html#4

Zoe Wal said...

Good composition consists of deciding what message you're trying to have the picture deliver. First you need to decide what you're focusing on. Figure out what subject you want the observer to notice first and then figure out the "mood" of the picture. Do you want to make the person that sees the picture you take feel good? Sad? Curious? It also can be good to have the picture be simple. Simplicity in a photo won't confuse the viewer with cluttered objects.
Examples of Mood Changes:
1. http://www.isib.cnr.it/~paolo/igalpb/html/.slide_115-1581_IMG.JPG
2. http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=9177&rendTypeId=4
Another part of good composition is the color and brightness in a picture. Contrasting colors can create a drastic feel. But beware, too much of a contrast can distract the viewers as well! A black and white effect can also defintely change the photo's mood too. If the colors are bright, the subject is well noticed and seems to create a clear point of view! Strong color contrast is helpful in a picture too.
Examples:
http://www.basdenfamily.com/images/Contrasting-Colors.jpg
http://www.cirrusimage.com/Moths/forage_looper_moth_2.jpg
Symmetry in a picture is also important but can lead to a misleading imagery if the angle's right! The Rule of Thirds is when a human eye see's 2/3rd's of a picture so it can be cropped to fit better.

Dug The Thug said...

The rule of thirds is a compositional rule of thumb in photography and other visual arts such as painting. The rule states that an image can be divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines. The four points formed by the intersections of these lines can be used to align features in the photograph. Proponents of this technique claim that aligning a photograph with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the photo than simply centering the feature would.
http://wikipedia.com



Symmetry in common usage generally conveys two primary meanings. The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically-pleasing proportionality and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection. The second meaning is a precise and well-defined concept of balance or "patterned self-similarity" that can be demonstrated or proved according to the rules of a formal system: by geometry, through physics or otherwise.[1]

Although the meanings are distinguishable, in some contexts, both meanings of "symmetry" are related and discussed in parallel.[2][3]

The "precise" notions of symmetry have various measures and operational definitions. For example, symmetry may be observed:

* with respect to the passage of time;
* as a spacial relationship;
* through geometric transformations such as scaling, reflection, and rotation;
* through other kinds of functional transformations[4]; and
* as an aspect of abstract objects, theoretic models, language, music and even knowledge itself.[5][6]

This article describes these notions of symmetry from three perspectives. The first is that of mathematics, in which symmetries are defined and categorized precisely. The second perspective describes symmetry as it relates to science and technology. In this context, symmetries underlie some of the most profound results of modern physics, including aspects of space and time. Finally, a third perspective discusses symmetry in the humanities, covering its rich and varied use in history, architecture, art, and religion.

The opposite of symmetry is asymmetry.

http://wikipedia.com

Jessica said...

Two composition rules are:

The Rule of Thirds:
http://www.picturecorrect.com/images/206/rule-of-thirds.jpg
The rule of thirds is probably the most important of composition rules. The rule of thirds means that the frame can be divided into three horizontal sections and three vertical sections and where the sections intersect is the point where your subject and the more important parts of your picture should be. It gives the subject more emphasis.

Leading Lines:
http://www.picturecorrect.com/images/206/leading-lines
You can use straight, curved, parallel, or diagonal lines to draw attention to the subject. You can use anything, but some examples are: roads, rivers, bridges, branches, and fences.

Megan said...

The Rule of Thirds:
This is based on the fact that the human eye is naturally drawn to a point about two thirds up the page. So, the object you would like to be focused on the page should be somewhere in the middle (horizontal) third of the page. When photographing landscapes, the rule of thirds should be applied in reference to the horizon. If the focus of the photo is the land or water, the horizon can be at a point about 2/3 of the way up from the bottom of the page. If you would like to emphasize the sky, the horizon can be positioned 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the page. This will leave the which ever you are emphasizing (the sky or land/water) taking up 2/3 of the photograph.

Contrast:
Another "rule" of photo composition is contrast. Contrast has to do with the fact that is a light object is surrounded by a black background, or vice versa, the object will have more impact. Contrast can create more emphasis in a photo, but can be distracting if not considered carefully.

C is for Carrie said...

The Rule of thirds.
1. Simplicity, so your not overdoing your picture and ruin it.

2Key Element/s, so you have a topic

3Color. YOU HAVE TA HAVE COLOR

2.The Golden triangle rule, it's a must

Sydney said...

The Rule of thirds

The human eye is naturally drawn 2/3 of the photo. When taking a photo the main focus of the picture doesn't always have to be in the middle. To help you can make a invisible grid and have the lines line up with the main focus.

The Diagonal Rule

One key thing about the diagonal rule is that the picture needs to split into half and then again into thirds. Each side should be diagonal and all the points should touch. The main idea should be put onto these diagonals unless it is a linear picture.

stevie08 said...

The rule of thirds is a compositional rule of thumb in photography and other visual arts such as painting. The rule states that an image can be divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines. The four points formed by the intersections of these lines can be used to align features in the photograph.


Balance and Weight: composition must be well balanced. Dark colors add weight to an image, while lighter colors add space. In most cases, you don't want the subject to appear to be "floating" in space, so something to serve as an "anchor" will give the image balance.

Jen said...

The Rule of thirds:
Imaginary lines are drawn dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. You place important elements of your composition where these lines intersect

example pictures at this site
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/rule-of-thirds/

Keys said...

Diagonals Rule!

one side of the picture is divided into two parts and the divided parts are into three parts the resulting points form a diagonal frame

http://www.colorpilot.com/comp_rules.html#rule3

BIGSTEVE said...

The rule of thirds: It means that our eyes should go up 2/3 of the picture. When you want to frame your picture you should always draw invisible lines that divide the picture into thirds both horizintal and vertical. then you should positon the photo where you would want the eyes.
(http://www.picturecorrect.com/images/206/rule-of-thirds.jpg)

The Golden Rule: There are certain points in a pictures composition that attracts the eye's of people. but also a lot of man made thing attract us or nature photos with nice composition.
http://www.colorpilot.com/comp_rules.htm