TURN IN YOUR 1ST CLICK!

Draw/Sketch in your sketchbook while you wait!

THE PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION

How to make your photographs look good!

THE PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION

These are 8 rules or principles to help you

better compose an interesting photograph.

Good photographs tell a story or impart

some form of information.

Good composition can help a

photographer relay this information to
their viewer.

You can make use of one principle at a

time or more!

RULE OF THIRDS

Photograph by Gordan Parks

This principle asks the photographer to

divide their composition up into nine
parts. The idea being that you would
create a more interesting and dynamic
photograph if your subject only takes up
one thirds of the composition.

This principle challenges photographers

to not place their subject strictly in the
middle of their composition, thus
creating a more balanced and interesting
photograph.

LIGHT

Photograph by Wynn Bullock

This principle relies of the play of light

and the way it interacts with its subject
matter.

EDGES OF THE FRAME

Photograph by Robert Frank

This principle relies on using the view

finder or frame of the photograph to
create an interesting composition.

By using the edges of the frame, you can

create a more interesting and dynamic
piece by cropping out information.

FRAME WITHIN A FRAME

Photograph by Henri Cartier-Bresson

This principle asks photographers to

create a window within your composition
that shows more information or subject
matter.

LINE

Photograph by Bernice Abbot

This principle relies on using lines preexisting in your subject matter to lead the
viewers gaze about the photograph

POINT OF VIEW

Photograph by Bernice Abbott

This principle asks photographers to explore

dierent points of view.

Changing how you look at a subject can also

influence how a viewer interprets a subject.

Think birds eye view or worms eye view!

FILL THE FRAME & CROPPING

Photograph by Imogen Cunningham

This principle relies on using the

viewfinder/frame to create an interesting
photograph.

Much like Point of View or Using the

Edge of the Frame, Filling the Frame &
Cropping ask photographers to shoot
their subject in a dierent manner to
evoke new ideas and meanings.

PATTERN & TEXTURE

Photograph 1 by Sandy Skoglund

Photograph 2 by John Coplans

This principle plays with the idea of

repetition, or creating a repeated subject
matter.

THE ASSIGNMENT

Partner up and take a photograph that

demonstrates each principle within your
group!

Report back to the room at:

5th Period 1:40

6th Period 2:35

We will turn in our photographs and if

we have time, take a look at our self
portraits!

Sally Mann