A slide presentation depicting the various styles of photographic composition.

1. Composition
and aesthetics
of imagery
Copyright 2009, David Damico

2. Texture

3. Texture

4. Texture

5. Texture

6. Texture.pattern

7. Hand created or rubbed textures

8. Color

9. Color

10. The Rule of Thirds
Draw a 3x3 grid. Place
important elements of your
composition in relation to the
lines and intercections.

11. Using the Rule of Thirds produces
balanced pictures. Positioning things
relative to the edges of the grid allows
more control for subject/space
emphasis.

12. Proximity A way of unifying or segregating separate elements by closeness or distance.

13. Similar shapes are repeated Perfect balance can be static
on both sides of the image. and is often called formal.
Symmetrical balance

14. Symmetrical balance

15. Symmetrical balance

16. Contrast balance (asymetrical)

17. Contrast balance

18. Balance-Asymmetrical Dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight or equal eye attraction.

19. Balance Asymmetrical

20. Balance by scale A large item can balance out
a smaller one depending on where it is placed.

21. Focal point An object in the picture draws
attention by emphasis (similar. dissimilar).

22. Focal Point An overall pattern can cause a lack of a focal point (ex. Campbell soup cans).

23. Directional Focal point The eyes of this Leopard are a focal
point, leading the viewer to the left edge of the image.

24. Focus Foreground out of focus-background sharp

25. Focus background out of focus-foreground sharp

26. Balance by eye direction When the focal point in a picture draws our attention by
creating a line or flowing toward something such as eyes, edges, landscape etc.

27. Repetition Something repeats in a design to relate those objects together.

28. Repetition Something repeats in a design to relate those objects together.

29. Radial balance All elements radiate out from a central point.

30. Balance by scale/proportion
Scale refers to size. proportion refers to relative size measured against other elements.

31. Framing Using compositional elements as a natural frame in the picture.

32. Framing

33. Vast space Foreground and background create a "window" defining a three dimensional world

34. Ephemeral space Space that cannot be touched

35. Space defined by intimate enclosed area contrasting larger space outside

36. Space-Vertical Elongation A "worms eye view" either from on high or below.

37. Space-Vertical Elongation A "worms eye view" either from on high or below

38. Vertical Location When an object is elevated
vertically in the picture indicating distance.

39. Space-Atmospheric Perspective The use of color or value (light and dark) to show depth

40. Ansel Adams, 1942
Space-Atmospheric Perspective The use of color or value (light and dark) to show depth.

41. Linear Perspective Parallel lines receding into a horizon

42. Linear Perspective Parallel lines receding into a horizon

43. Linear Perspective Parallel lines receding into a horizon.

44. Motion Blurring indicates movement

45. Movement repetition, multiple exposure

46. Movement Frozen Motion

47. Movement Op Art

48. Abstract Image by shooting close up

49. Abstract Image by shooting close up

50. Static product Image

51. Static product Image

52. You decide the way
to shoot and frame
your images.

53. Composition
and aesthetics
of imagery
Copyright 2009, David Damico