Composition

1. Composition Com Tech 1/Photo1 WJ. Veldhoen

2. Visual Composition • This is your first module and prerequisite for all modules in both Photography and Communications Technology. • Students who have completed this module in Com Tech can start Photography with AV Com 1105 • Students who have completed this module in Photography will start Com Tech with Graphic Tools Com 1035

3. How do we See and Understand? • Photography, Video and all Graphic Arts are a based on our seeking understanding through our visual senses. • What we see is a major part of our decision if we believe what we hear. • 80% of a message is visual • Visual composition are tools and techniques used create clear messages in the visual space of a page, computer screen, billboard etc.

4. Visual Composition focuses on a clear message. For the Photographer • Organize what you see so your image conveys a richer message. • Are options you can practice applying in different situations. • How you hold your camera • Lens choices • Camera angles For the Graphic Artist • Focus on how people search images for meaning. • Provide choices as you design • Link all parts of a design for unified message.

5. THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN • LINELine can be considered in two ways. • the linear marks made with a pen or brush • the edge created when two shapes meet. • Lines can also be seen as continuous or as broken • DIRECTIONAll lines have direction - Horizontal, Vertical or Diagonal and can encourage a sense of direction when we explore an image. They can also suggest feeling that become part of the message we receive. • Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquility. • Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. • Diagonal suggests movement and action • Curves connect or add flow in images or layouts. The line is a set of points we assume are connected as we look for meaning. Text are lines we connect and attach meaning to including sounds and ideas. Fonts in text can add to, or distract from the idea.

6. Lines can direct your attention or be the story of your image. • Which image lets you discover something by following the lines? • Which image uses the lines to suggest the world has 3 dimensions in a 2 dimensional image? • Which image suggests ideas about the person viewing what is in the picture? What could be a story you see? Cropped picture of Chelsea H

7. SHAPE • Lines can work together to create a sense of a shape. • A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form. • Open Shapes can be entered and exited easily. • Closed shapes contain or separate ideas or groups • A positive shape in a painting automatically creates a negative shape. • Silhouette focuses on shape around the outside of an object with little or no detail inside. • This rope by Britney shows lines becoming a shape with an inside and outside • The lines in the background do not become shape but give a texture in the image • Subtle variation in the light also suggest the rope has height while the background lines do not. • When you sense that third dimension we say you are working with form while shapes are flat or 2 dimensional.

8. Elements cont. • SIZESize is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another. • TEXTURETexture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft hard glossy etc. Texture can be physical (tactile) or visual. • COLOURAlso called Hue Colour can evoke emotional responses that should be a considered as part of your unified message. • VALUEValue is the lightness or darkness of a colour. Value is also called Tone. • Black and white images shift focus from hue to value. • This image by Colleen B shows how a story can shift in editing from the original shot above to the edited below. • The size of the cropped section being increased focuses attention on the different textures of the glass and metal work. • The colour and values shifting give a different sense of mood. • This shot could have been cropped less if shot in portrait mode and colour filters on the camera could be used for effect as well.

9. Discuss 1. • What was the dominant shape in each image? • Does the dominant shape have a unique shape in the image that gives contrast? • Does the dominant shape repeat in the image to give emphasis? • Can you see another way to contrast besides shape? • Give 2 ways the camera was used by Tim E make the lines more interesting? 2.

10. DOMINANCE Dominance gives an image interest, counteracting confusion and monotony. Dominance can be applied to one or more of the elements to give emphasis • Placement in an image can add or reduce dominance. • Centering vertically or horizontally can be calming and discourage the viewer from looking at the rest of the scene. • Placement off center can add tension and encourage exploration of the whole space. • Different rules such as the golden Mean, Rule of Thirds and Symmetry are choices to work with dominance and creating a clear message. Your self evaluation of work will be graded of the clarity of a message and how you use different ideas to focus or create dominance an image or graphic design.

11. THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN • BALANCESymmetrical balance tends to be calming and stable A centered face shows symmetry but this can be found in buildings as well. • The image on the right was taken with symmetry repeating what is on the left with what is on the right. • With the lines in this image including vertical, horizontal and diagonal, each fights for dominance. By cropping an image we can shift the symmetry and the dominance of lines , shapes or textures over another changing mood and message. • Balance in design is similar to balance in physics • A large shape close to the center can be balanced by a small shape close to the edge. • A large light toned shape will be balanced by a small dark toned shape (the darker the shape the heavier it appears to be) • This shot was edited to • brighten the Horizontal lines • cropped to a wide panorama shape to let the horizontal lines be longer and dominate other lines over the original image. • More of the original in this case would be used if shot with a landscape frame than the original portrait shot.

12. Formal Informal Balance Each choice of balance can tell a different story about the same subject. Describe the relationship of each couple? Informal balance can add a dynamic feel or energy to a shot.

13. Rhythm • Rhythm is the repetition or alternation of elements, often with defined intervals between them. • Rhythm can create a sense of movement, and can establish pattern and texture. There are many different kinds of rhythm, often defined by the feeling it evokes when looking at it. • Regular: A regular rhythm occurs when the intervals between the elements, and often the elements themselves, are similar in size or length. • Flowing: A flowing rhythm gives a sense of movement, and is often more organic in nature. • Progressive: A progressive rhythm shows a sequence of forms through a progression of steps. http://www.digital-web.com/articles/principles_of_design/

14. UNITY • Relating the design elements to the the idea being expressed in an image reinforces the principal of unity. • eg. An image with an active aggressive subject would work better with a dominant diagonal direction, course, rough texture, angular lines etc. whereas a quiet passive subject would benefit from horizontal lines, soft texture and less tonal contrast. • Unity in an image also refers to the visual linking of various elements of the work. Simplicity: Tell One Story Well Both these images are more aggressive with the energy of diagonal lines and a singular focus. Removal of distractions with an out of focus background or removing distractions by cloning in Photoshop are some of the ways you can improve your images in the second module if you focus on your story as you plan and shoot your pictures.

15. REPETITION • Repetition with variation is interesting, without variation repetition can become monotonous.  • The tubes in this shot are similar. They can be taken in and understood with a single glance if shot to focus on their similarity. • When variation is introduced, the tubes, although similar, are much more interesting to look at. They can no longer be absorbed properly with a single glance. The individual character of each tube needs to be considered and the group as a whole. • If you wish to create interest, any repeating element should include a degree of variation. The camera angle shift encourages a sense of these being towers with a larger story created by the Karleen R s’ decisions during shooting. Repetition is a part of creating emphasis and dominance in your story of the image but variety can also be considered a way to expand you message or reach a wider audience.

16. GRADATION & CONTRAST Gradation of size and direction produce linear perspective. • Gradation of of colour from warm to cool and tone from dark to light produce aerial perspective. • Gradation can add interest and movement to a shape. A gradation from dark to light will cause the eye to move along a shape. Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements • Opposite colours on the colour wheel - red / green, blue / orange etc. • Contrast in tone or value - light / dark. Contrast in direction - horizontal / vertical. • The major contrast in an image should be located at the center of interest. Too much contrast scattered throughout an image can destroy unity and make a work difficult to look at. • Unless a feeling of chaos and confusion are what you are seeking, it is a good idea to carefully consider where to place your areas of maximum contrast. The different ways an image is edited can increase or decrease gradation and contrast. This image by Chelsea was interesting in the contrast of shapes. Cropping reduced the shapes to rectangles and circles. Variation in the textures added interest in the repetition avoiding monotony. Adjusting contrast enhance the background textured but lost the gradation in the tube. Using selection tools from Photoshop can help you select and edit more effectively.

17. HARMONY • Harmony in images is the visually satisfying effect of combining similar, related elements. eg. adjacent colours on the colour wheel, similar shapes etc. • Harmony in music is a good example. It is not more of the same but different voices with a common song. • In this image editing by Shannon R added a Vignette to the image, and made the shape of the shot enhance one part of the image. • The Curve becomes more the focus and the black door of the darkroom becomes a shape that reminds us of a polished rock • Editing altered the outside shape to work with the curving rail and increased harmony. • Try not to apply such an effect so that it is cutoff by the framing as happened here.

18. Rules of Composition • Use design elements and principles in how the picture is made and organized. • Are used by different photographers differently in different situations but always for the purpose of a clear story. Tell one story well!

19. Subject Placement • The Rule of Thirds • Divide the photo area into thirds • Move the subject away from center to one of these intersecting lines creating tension. • Use the rest of the space to add information about your subject • Give moving subjects room to enter or move through the picture. To create interest place the subject matter in one of the intersection points (note: the second person looking at the subject supports your main story.)

20. Subject Placement • Dynamic Symmetry • An alternative to the Rule of Thirds • Diagonal determines points of intersection • Dominance is suggested in the subject placement while shooting and cropping. Place subject matter at the points of intersection Note how the sense of battle is built up here by the placement within the shot….

21. Framing • Framing refers to creating a center of interest with objects in the foreground or background The tree in the foreground builds • a sense of depth • lets you shape the image inside the picture beyond the rectangles of your camera frame. • hints to the changes happening to the trees in the mid ground… • Using framing can • gives a place for your viewer in the picture… • cover distractions (things in a picture that take away from your simple story)

22. Perspective Perspective- the illusion of the third dimension • Photographer try to capture the third dimension in a two dimensional format (flat screens or paper….). • Common shapes that look larger in front and smaller further back build a sense of depth. • Gradients in colour or brightness • Converging lines • Depth of Field with background being more or less blurred.