BASIC ELEMENTS IN COMPOSITION

BASIC ELEMENTS IN COMPOSITION

"Photography is all about light, composiiton and...emotion" Larry Wilder

You have already studied some techniques about composition, as the rule of thirds, the importance of the sight, the leading lines or the importance of balance.

Now, we are going to see how to work with the basic elements of any picture.

Dot

Line

Shape

Textures

Color.

DOT

The dot is the most basic element of any image, and it can be extremely expressive even hard to believe.

Any isolated small object or element can be considered a dot, so we can use it isolated or with a mass of dots.

Let see some examples.

LINES

¿Remember leading lines?

A lead-in line is a clear entry point into a picture. It usually starts at the bottom of the frame and guides the eye into the composition towards the maon subject. They can come in the form of roads, walls, flowers... anything that directs the eye swiftly and effectively.

Depending of the directions of those lines, they can also elicit strong emotios.

Straight and vertical lines 

Pylons, skycrapers, trees, and fence pole can create striking verticals.

These lines indicate permanence, stability, sprirituality and greatness.

When you look at an image with with vertical lines, your aye usually travels from the bottom to the top.

Horizontal lines

When you study an image featuring a horizontal line, you usually feel calm and peace.

sunset over the sea, reflections in still bodies of water and fallen trees direct your eyes from left to right, leisurely taking details along the way.

Diagonal lines 

If you want to stress speed or motion, diagonal lines are ideal. Full of energy, theses lines rush the eye to the eye to the edge of the frame. Man-made diagonals are common, but you can also create your own by tilting your camera.

Curved lines 

Waves lapping in the beach, spiral staircases, and sand dunes all create curves wich can create motion and grace to your compositions. 

These lines suggest sinuosity, slowness, and beauty, encouraging the viewer to take their time exploring the image.

SHAPES

To create a composition that captures and holds the viewer´s attention you need to trap their gaze within the frame.

Simple shapes

Geometric Shapes









Irregular shapes






Abstract shapes

TEXTURES

Textures, especially those taken in BW photographies, acquire the main role so that it is possible to make fantastic pictures based on this aspect.

COLOR

Contrast

They are more exciting, powerfull and attractive to the viewer´eyes.

Complementary colors

Cromatic harmony

These photographs are peaceful. Using small groups of analogous colors can create lovely compositions, but sometimes they harmonize so well that you might need to introduce tension.

TASK

You will have to make a post called BASIC ELEMENTS IN COMPOSITION with this contents:

1 photo based on dot(s)

1 photo based on vertical line(s)

1 photo based on horizontal line(s)

1 photo based on diagonal line(s)

1 photo based on curved line(s)

1 photo based on simple shape(s)

1 photo shaped on geometric shape(s)

1 photo based on irregular shape(s)

1 photo based on abstract shapes(s)

1 photo based on textures

3 photos based on contrasted colors

3 photos based on armonic colors

You can edit your photographs, making a frame around each one of them.Make a brief remark under photo.