Composition Part 1: How Pictures Communicate

1. Composition Part 1: How Pictures Communicate photo by: Tim Seguin, Wenatchee High School, Wenatchee, WA

2. The job of the photojournalist is making a storytelling photograph that connects with the viewer. Emotional Impact: Storytelling Skills

3. The first step to better photographs is thinking through the assignment. • before the shoot • after the shoot Emotional Impact: Storytelling Skills

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

5. -Your job is to record real life through photos that make people think and feel! -When framing your shot, find the best viewpoint (or angle) to make people think and feel! -Make sure to only include the elements in your photo that will make people think and feel! Emotional Impact: Storytelling Skills

6. Simplicity is an important element of making great photos. The key is to eliminate non-essential elements from the frame to reduce distraction. Emotional Impact: Storytelling Skills

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

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

9. Composition is all about planning, positioning and arranging elements in a photograph so that the image communicates as powerfully as it can. Power Plan: Elements of Composition

10. Center of interest: Make sure the main subject of your photograph is obviously the most prominent item in the photo. Power Plan: Elements of Composition

11. Depth of field is a characteristic of a camera that can be used to enhance the image composition. • Depth of field refers to the sharp/clear area surrounding the focus point (subject) • The larger that area = you have a large or deep DOF • Everything (even at different distances in the scenery) will be in focus from right to left • The smaller that area = you have a small or shallow DOF • Everything will look blurry and out-of-focus except that exact subject. Power Plan: DOF

12. Power Plan: DOF Shallow DOF isolated subject from its chaotic surroundings by using shallow depth of field. By using shallow depth of field the distracting background is blurred and only the subject appears sharp. Viewers eyes concentrate first on the sharp areas of the photo and so the one soldier gets all the attention.

13. Power Plan: DOF Deep DOF is usually good for landscape photos. All parts of the image appear sharp. There is usually no need to isolate elements by utilizing the depth of field in the landscape photos.

14. Depth of field is affected by several factors: • Distance between camera and subject • Camera setting (if in basic zone) • The amount you are zoomed in • Aperture if in manual zone (we will discuss in a week or so) Power Plan: DOF

15. 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. Power Plan: Elements of Composition

16. Power Plan: Elements of Composition

17. 3.3 Power Plan: Elements of Composition

18. Leading lines are a compositional technique using natural lines to direct attention to the center of interest in a photograph. Power Plan: Elements of Composition

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

20. Bird’s-eye view is a high-to-low angle. Power Plan: Elements of Composition

21. Worm’s-eye view is a low-to-high angle. Power Plan: Elements of Composition

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