Rules of Composition: The Complete Guide

The rules of composition are a set of guidelines that govern what should be included in the frame and how it is presented.

They were first introduced in 1839 when French artist Charles Mozin created “Composition Rules”.

Why Are There So Many Rules Of Composition In Photography

It is important for photographers to know these rules as they will help them take better photographs.

The rule you should always follow is to never include any object that doesn’t belong with your subject and make sure all objects within the frame relate back to one another.

The rules of composition in photography work because have been around for centuries.

They are just as applicable today to the art and science of photography, as they were when painters like Leonardo da Vinci used them while painting.

Rule Of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a simple and effective way to compose photos for maximum impact. It involves dividing the frame into three horizontally and vertically, then lining up important compositional elements at these points.

If you want to learn how to identify where these lines lie in your photos or what they might be called, read on!

Use The Rule Of Thirds To Add Interest

The Rule of Thirds is an important compositional guideline that can be used in most types of art. It goes back to the early 17th century when painters were looking for a way to help make their paintings more realistic and interesting.

Using this rule, you divide your work into three even sections horizontally or vertically with two lines and then place the focal point inside one of those sections.

   

This helps create a sense of balance as well as makes it easier for people’s eyes to focus on what is important in the painting.

The intersection points should be used to position important parts of your subjects such as their face or eyes.

Another rule that has been around since at least the 18th century is “the golden ratio,” which consists in dividing a line so that its longer segment is approximately 1.618 times as long as its shorter segment; this creates what’s called the “golden spiral.”

This works best with natural objects like flowers.

Simplify A Scene With The Rule Of Odds

There are many ways to simplify a scene. One technique that I have found useful is the Rule of Odds.

This rule states that if you want to simplify your scene, and you have 3 objects or people within it, then remove one of them. If you have 5 items in the scene, then delete two.

The theory behind this idea is that removing one object from your view, changes how we see everything else in the frame; our eye will now be drawn to what’s left instead of being distracted by all there is around us.

Beginners Need To Learn Photography Composition Early On

It can be difficult to learn photography composition if you are just starting out.

The best thing that beginners can do is to start learning as early on in their career as possible.

There are a lot of photography techniques and skills that need to be mastered before one can become an expert photographer, such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO, depth of field, etc.

Why Photography Composition Is Important

It’s important for beginners to learn composition early on in their photography journey. Composition is what leads to successful shots and can make or break a photograph.

   

This article will go over some of the basics that all beginner photographers need to know about composition, as well as the best way to teach it.

Incorporate Pattern And Repetition For Stronger Compositions

Pattern and repetition are excellent compositional tools for creating strong compositions.

If you’re looking to take your photographic compositions up a notch, incorporating pattern and repetition can be a great way to do so.

The key is finding the right balance between patterns that repeat too much or not enough.

For example, if you have two repeating shapes in the composition (like circles), it might look good on its own but when they’ve repeated again with another shape like squares it starts to get boring because there’s too much of one thing happening.

On the other hand, if there are three shapes and each one repeats twice then this would work well because all three items have their own unique space within the composition.

   

Composition Tips For Taking Better iPhone Photos

Anyone who has spent a day with their phone in hand knows it can be difficult to find the perfect photo.

From unflattering angles and blurry pictures to not enough light or too much noise, there are many obstacles that can make capturing the best moments on your phone nearly impossible.

These 10 tips will help you take better photos for social media posts or memories that will last a lifetime.

Combine Several Composition Principles Into One

A photographer may want to use a few composition principles in their photography. For example, the rule of thirds can be used by placing the horizon on one of the two horizontal lines or positioning it at an intersecting point between two vertical lines.

Creating complex shapes with diagonals and intersections is another way that you can use this principle.

The golden ratio is also important for creating good compositions, but it’s not as easy to apply because its value changes depending on what size your subject is in relation to the frame.

Lastly, symmetry should be used sparingly because it depends on how symmetrical your subject is and most subjects are asymmetrical so there will always be flaws in a symmetric composition.

Overview On Composition

A composition is an artist’s arrangement of different visual elements in a work of art, such as the subject, color, and form.

Composition has been used by artists for centuries to create visually compelling pieces. It should not be mistaken with framing or cropping, though they are integral parts of the process.

Composition is about how these elements are arranged within a frame so that they best express what the artist intends to convey.

Reduce Clutter

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying: Cleanliness is next to godliness. Well, this rule can also be applied to photography.

Having a cluttered background or foreground in your photos will distract from the subject and create an unprofessional-looking image.

Contrasting Colors

Different colors have different meanings in photography.

Red is used to convey anger, passion, and war. Green is often associated with envy, wealth, or health.

Blue stands for peace, tranquility, and calmness. One of the most popular contrasting color combinations that photographers use today is blue/orange which are opposites on the color wheel but complement each other when paired together

Creative Framing

Creative framing is an important aspect of photography.

One of the most common types of frames for photos is portrait and landscape frames.

These frames are perfect for photojournalism or editorial photography because they provide a wide range of subjects with interesting backgrounds and scenery that make them more captivating to look at.

Portrait frame shots tend to be stronger when there’s something in the foreground in focus while the background is blurry, which makes your subject pop out more from their surroundings.

Final Thoughts On The Rules Of Photography Composition

The rules of photography composition are not just arbitrary, but they also have a lot to do with the message you want to get across.

For example, if a photographer wants their subject to appear larger than life and in charge then they will use things like contrast and light so that the subject’s head is larger than their body.