Composition 1 Worksheet

Name Hiroaki Sakimon

In photography, it’s not just what you shoot that counts – the way that you shoot it is crucial,
too. Poor photo composition can make a fantastic subject dull, but a well-set scene can create a
wonderful image from the most ordinary of situations.

 Rule of Thirds – points of interest not centered but positioned on one of the intersection
points of the grid- Don’t use a photo that has the grid on it.
 Formal Balance –is equal or symmetrical balance. Each side of the vertical center of the
photograph has equal weight and similar or exactly the same shape, texture, and value
contrast.
 Informal Balance – or "asymmetrical" Balance is uneven or unequal balance. The objects
have nearly the same "visual weight" on either side of the vertical center of the
photograph composition, but are different in size, shape, texture, or value.
 Selective Focus – items in the foreground are in focus while the background is blurry (or
the opposite)
 Leading Line – a line that leads you visually to an object or that leads into the distance
creating depth.
 Framing – shooting through something to get the main subject behind it. The subject is
“framed” by something in the foreground.
 Center of interest or focal point-when you look at an image your eye will generally
need a ‘resting place’ or something of interest to really hold it. Without it you’ll find
people will simply glance at your shots and then move on to the next one
 Depth -Positioning people and objects in layers will create the illusion of "depth".

Assignment
 Read the above definitions
 Read more info:
 http://www.exposureguide.com/top-10-composition-tips.htm
 http://lisimedia.blogspot.com/2012/09/composition-skills.html
 http://www.photographytips.com/page.cfm/6
 http://www.photographytips.com/page.cfm/2188
 Find examples from the internet that display the following composition principals.
 Do the first one of each of the examples below first.
 Save to your student save folder first, as file “Lastname_comp1_Worksheet”
 Drag to the turn in folder.

Write down Put a Picture in this column that uses the principal to the left.
in this
column how
the picture
to the right
accomplishe
s the rule.

Rule of thirds

Rule of thirds
Rule of thirds

Formal Balance

Formal Balance
Formal Balance

Selective Focus

Selective Focus
Selective Focus

Grouping

Grouping
Grouping

Informal Balance

Informal Balance
Informal Balance

Horizon Line

Horizon Line
Horizon Line

Leading Lines

Leading Lines
Leading Lines

Framing

Framing
Framing