Photo Composition

3 Composition:

How Pictures Communicate

photo by: Tim Seguin, Wenatchee High School, Wenatchee, WA

The job of the photojournalist is making a storytelling photograph that connects with the viewer.

3.1 Straight to the Heart: Making a Photo a Quick Read

The first step to better photographs is thinking through the assignment. • before the shoot • after the shoot

3.1 Straight to the Heart: Making a Photo a Quick Read

Storytelling photography isn’t only about technical skill. Two things all photographers should carry with them: patience and curiosity.

3.2 Emotional Impact: Storytelling Skills

Your job is to record real life – you are a journalist, after all. Reporters cannot fabricate stories, so photojournalists should not fabricate photos.

3.2 Emotional Impact: Storytelling Skills

Simplicity is an important element of making great photos. The key is to eliminate non-essential elements from the frame to reduce distraction.

3.2 Emotional Impact: Storytelling Skills

Gallery photo by: Eric Gardner, Bronson Junior/Senior High School, Bronson, MI

Gallery photo by: Ashley Hensley, Duncanville High School, Duncanville, TX

Composition is all about planning, positioning and arranging elements in a photograph so that the image communicates as powerfully as it can.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Center of interest: Make sure the main subject of your photograph is obviously the most prominent item in the photo.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Gallery photo by: Karen Fitzpatrick, Cresenta Valley High School, La Crescenta, CA

To apply the rule of thirds, you need to visualize your viewfinder being divided into nine separate areas. Your subject will be placed at one of the intersections of the lines.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Leading lines are a compositional technique using natural lines to direct attention to the center of interest in a photograph.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Gallery photo by: Lauren Apple, Wilson Area High School, Easton, PA

Curves, circular movement that naturally occurs in a photography, suggests calmness and serenity.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Bird’s-eye view is a high-to-low angle.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Gallery photo by: Nick Carter, Bryant High School, Bryant, AR

Worm’s-eye view is a low-to-high angle.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Gallery photo by: Nick Carter, Bryant High School, Bryant, AR

Framing is a composition technique to position the camera so that the foreground or background objects in the picture form a natural frame around the main subject.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Gallery photo by: Nicole Kornajcik, Highland Park High School, Dallas, TX

Gallery photo by: William Lewis, Catholic High School for Boys, Little Rock, AR

Lighting itself can become an element of composition. Light and shadow can create frames, positive and negative space and layers.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Gallery photo by: Abby Nelson, Columbus Unified High School, Columbus, KS

Using a slow shutter speed, follow a subject with the camera. This cases the background to blur while keeping the moving subject sharp.

You can pan from side to side and also use a zoom blur.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Gallery photo by: Josh Donaldson, Ozark High School, Ozark, MD

Using a shallow depth of field, selective focus allows you to achieve a strong center of interest by making sure that your desired subject is the only thing in focus.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Gallery Lisa Burnett, Bryant High School, Bryant, AR

Look for opportunities to layer your photos, especially when shooting with your wide-angle lens.

All photos have a foreground, middle ground and background.

Don’t neglect any of these areas.

3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Gallery photo by: Katie Woods, Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, KS

Gallery photo by: Hannah Brewer, Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, KS