GETTING CREATIVE – COMPOSITION RULES

It seems contradictory to talk about rules at the same time as encouraging creativity.   But since a picture is intended to convey a message in visual form it is best to keep in mind some universal laws, which govern the appreciation of beauty by any person.   These rules of Aesthetics must form the basis of our visual language.   The understanding of this language will however be affected by the viewer’s acuteness of perception, his culture and also his personal bias.

A good picture will have a focus of attention somewhere within its frame.   Other elements in the picture will direct the eye to this point and at the same time balance out between themselves.   This focussing of attention can be achieved using geometric forms (lines and curves), real or implied, colour or both.   The position of the main element within the picture is of importance.   The rules of harmonic proportions and the golden section can be applied to the photographic picture and it is generally agreed that the best place for this element is not in the centre of the frame.   It can be effectively placed near the imaginary intersections of lines dividing the frame in thirds horizontally and vertically.   The rule of intersecting thirds need not be applied rigidly, but it can be kept in mind while composing our picture in the viewfinder.

We now come to the effect of lines, real or implied, in our picture.   A horizontal line suggests stability and tranquillity.   A vertical line is more aggressive and suggests strength and blocking horizontal movement.   Diagonal lines give dynamic tension.   They suggest life and perspective.   Moreover, a diagonal leading from the upper left to the bottom right of a picture will have a strong directive effect on the eyes, since this is the natural direction of scanning of a blank surface.   In all the above cases, the longer the line, the more pronounced is its effect.   The most obvious use of lines is the framing lines of a picture.   It can be very effective in some cases to produce a frame within this artificial boundary, by the use of other lines and curves derived from the subject.   This frame within a frame can be very expressive and helps the viewer forget the artificial boundaries.   Curves are special cases of lines and lead the eye more gently over the picture.   They are less dynamic than straight lines and suggest grace and femininity.   Lines and curves can combine to produce regular patterns and various shapes, some of which can be classified as having pronounced visual effects.   The triangle, for example, is a dynamic shape due to the focusing of the sense of movement of the diagonal lines.   A triangle with a horizontal base suggests stability as in the pediment of a Greek temple.   The circle and its derivatives suggest completeness and smoothness.   They have also sensual connotations.

Remember that the above-mentioned shapes can be real, as in the shape of an object, or implied when their presence is only suggested.

Finally we will mention balance as an aesthetic concept.   We assume that each element of the picture has a certain weight due to its size, shape, tonal value and colour.   The position of these elements will affect the overall balance of the picture.   Remember that colours such as red and yellow have more weight than blue and violet.

The above principles can be kept in mind by the photographer and used when necessary to compose a picture capable of delivering a message to the viewer.   A picture is composed first in the mind and afterwards in the viewfinder.   A limited amount of control can also be added in the printing and presentation stage of which more will be mentioned later.

RL 28/4/85