Photographic Composition

Photographic composition is when different graphic elements are combined to create a visual structure.  Rule of Thirds, Horizontal and Vertical composition, leading lines, fill frame, and visual balanced photos are all part of the photographic composition.

Rule of Thirds:
When you divide a picture into nine sections, 2 horizontal lines and 2 vertical lines, based on the most important elements.  In this picture, the more important elements, the girl and the sunset, are on or close to the line.  This is a good way to use the rule of thirds, by placing the important parts of the picture as close to the lines of the box as possible.

Photo taken from: http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/glossary/l/blruleofthirds.htm
Artist: N/A

Horizontal and Vertical composition:

Horizontal and vertical composition are used depending on how wide or tall the object is.  Generally if an object is tall, vertical composition is used.  For a landscape shot, horizontal composition would work better, which is shown in the pictures below.

Photo taken from: http://www.olympusamerica.com/crm/oneoffpages/crm_autumn.asp
Artist: Michael from Abbotsford

In the example above, the first picture is horizontal composition and shows a landscape image whereas the second picture is vertical composition and shows more of the sky and trunks of the trees and less landscape.

Leading Lines:

Leading lines are lines in the picture that draw the viewers eyes from one object to the next.  In this picture the bridge acts as the leading line as it draws the viewers eyes to the sunset.

Photo taken from: http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/leading-lines-in-landscape-photo-composition/
Artist: Andrew Goodall

 Fill Frame:

Filling the frame means the photographer as filled the lens with as much object as they can.  This can be done by zooming in or getting closer to the object, or by changing the angle or perspective.  In the picture below, the photographer has successfully filled the frame by getting close to the butterfly, which created its wings to fill the picture.

Photo taken from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/simiwaiye/3552458905/
Artist: Uche Photography

Visual Balance:

Visual balance is balance on opposite sides using one or more elements that are identical or similar in size.  The first picture shows visual balance because if you were to fold it in half, it would be the same on both sides.  The second picture shows visual balance because the buildings are on opposite sides and are about the same size, providing balance throughout the image.

Picture taken from: http://www.allsetdesign.com/allsetdesign/pages/article.php?housestyletype_id=5
Artist: N/A

Photo taken from: http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/visual-balance-in-photography/
Artist: N/A