Hello Karen here from the photography playground Welcome back. In this lecture, you're going to learn some general composition rules or as I prefer to call them tools. Because the rule implies you should stick to it, follow the rules of composition and you will have a good photo. It's not like that. I see the composition rules more as a toolbox. You take what you need to make the shot work for you the tools we are going to discuss our symmetry the rule of thirds, leading lines and separation.
Let's start with symmetry. Creating a symmetrical composition results in a balanced photograph. This can work really well in smartphone photography, especially when you work with a cluttered background. Adding symmetry will give the photo visual balance, it's very pleasing to the eye. symmetry doesn't mean both sides need to be the same. It's the emphasis of certain symmetrical elements in the frame that creates the balance the balance interaction have space for two contrasting elements.
In a symmetrical photo, you need to choose your standpoint with care because the horizontal and vertical lines need to be exactly that horizontal and vertical. Because of that the symmetrical composition has more of a static feel to it. leading lines or lines in a photograph that lead the eye to a point of attention. A leading line can be anything but it has to have a direction. It's not a horizontal or a vertical line. Because of that photos with strong leaning lines give a dynamic feel to an image.
In this shot, all the lines lead your eye to that small finger at the end of the image. In a rule of thirds, the frame is divided by four lines into nine equal areas, creating a three by three grid placing one or more points of attention at the intersection of one of those lines or in one or more of the nine areas results in a strong and balanced composition. It allows you Where to easily engage with the image. Because our eyes are naturally attracted to the four intersection points. Making use of the rule of thirds creates tension and a composition and makes it more interesting and appealing. Placing the eyes on one third from the top or at one of the intersection points is a great way to attract the attention to the eyes.
In the shot, the center of attention is placed at the top of the image. Within that one third of the image we see design placed exactly at the two intersection points, and a man is placed within the middle part of that area. You can use the three by three grid in the camera app to help you with composing your shot. With separation we make sure this object stands out from its background. The purpose of separation is to create a clean, uncluttered photo. Choosing a higher or lower standpoint will declutter the background and make your subject stand out.
Separation also refers to separating different elements from each other. This photo shows the two ways of separation. The five people stand out against the uncluttered sky. And because they're also separated from each other, they become five individuals. There are, of course, more composition tools, but these four are among the most powerful and work very well in smartphone photography. See you in the next lecture.
And in the meantime, happy photographing