Composition

Composing with shape

SHAPES ARE A simple way of
creating an armature for a still life
arrangement. They can be used to
enclose an arrangement, or form
leading lines.
Any simple shape works well for
this, with triangles and circles
being especially effective. This
approach can also be extended to
certain basic symbols, such as a
cross or S-curve.
This example uses a triangle to
enclose the composition, making
the most of the varied heights of
the objects and complimenting the
eye-level viewpoint.

Overlaps
Even though this is an eye-level
arrangement, its individual elements
overlap to add a sense of depth and
space. Here the lemons overlap the
orange, which in turn overlaps the
bottle. This helps strengthen a sense of
spatial depth.

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Develop skills

Leading lines
LEADING LINES ARE underlying rhythms to an
image that are created by the subject, such as the
edges of objects, repeating objects, or even the
direction an object is pointing in. These direct the
eye through the image. Good use of leading lines
should engage the viewer and encourage them to
comfortably explore the image, or direct them to
important focal areas.

Horizontal lines Vertical lines

Horizontal lines can help stabilise Vertical lines can be implied by
a composition. There are a lot of tall objects – bottles often play
diagonals in this arrangement, this role in a still life. When
which feel more dynamic; these balanced with horizontal lines,
carrots remind the viewer they help clarify the orientation
everything sits on a flat surface. and stabilise an arrangement.

Focal point
The focal point is the place leading lines
direct the gaze of the viewer to. This can
make a composition more engaging as it
gives the viewer something to focus on,
and may be used to highlight an
important element in an arrangement.

Curved lines and fabric
Curved and diagonal lines are more
dynamic than horizontals or verticals,
and add some energy to a composition.
Fabric is especially useful for this, as it
is flexible and can be positioned to
serve an arrangement.
Repeating items and broken lines
Leading lines are often considered in a
fairly literal sense to be the result of
edges, or objects pointing in a certain
direction. However, a trail of repeating
objects can have a similar effect, such as
these bay leaves.
Blocking leading lines
If the leading lines push too strongly in
one direction, they can point the eye
out of the composition. Here, the yellow
tin is used to block this and creates a
slight diagonal to direct the eye back
towards the focal point.

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