Definition of "Composition"

I find out the meaning of a composition by seraching from google.com by use the word "composition definition" and then the result as follow:

• a mixture of ingredients
• constitution: the way in which someone or something is composed
• the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole; "harmonious composition is essential in a serious work of art"
• Musical composition has three meanings in music: * an original piece of music* the musical structure of a musical piece* the process of creating a new piece of music
• In mathematics, a composite function, formed by the composition of one function on another, represents the application of the former to the result of the application of the latter to the argument of the composite. The functions f: X ? Y and g: Y ? Z can be composed by first applying f to an argument x and then applying g to the result. ...
• ....
• .....
• .....
• Composition is the plan, placement or arrangement of the elements of art in a work. The general goal is to select and place appropriate elements within the work in order to communicate ideas and feelings with the viewer.

The above one is the one that I think it is a composition in photography :) In my opinion I think that the composition is the way to create your picture to be not so boring like to find some important point of your picture and show it to the viewer by using your composition idea.

Composition: To apply the depth of field

• As you can imagine, these three factors-apertures, depth of field, and subject distance-work together in any shooting situation. If you try to take a picture with an aperture of f/5.6.At a given distance from your subject, and at a given focal length, that f/stop will yield a certain depth of field. But what happens if you change the other two factors? If you get closer to the subject by zooming in, the depth of field decreases. Why do you have to care about depth of field at all? Answer is that depth of field is an extremely important element in the overall composition of your photographs.


• Using depth of field, you can isolate your subject by making sure it is the only sharply focused person or object in the frame. Alternately, you can increase depth of field tomake the entire image�from foreground to background�as sharp as possible.

The below example of sharply focused thing:

Composition: Horizon

If you take a horizontally oriented image and the horizon is not straight, it affects the feel of the photograph. Try try try� to be as careful as possible while photographing an expansive horizon. But if you goof, remember that it�s a digital photo. You can always correct for an angled horizon on the computer. (May be someone think that using computer to is not nature )

Reference: How to do with your digital camera (Mc Graw Hill)

Composition: Use Foreground to Balance the Background

If you�re trying to photograph a distant subject�a landscape or cityscape, for example�a common trick is to use the relationship between foreground and background by place something of interest in the foreground to provide a sense of balance. When done well, the viewer�s eyes are drawn immediately to the foreground object, and then they�ll wander to the background. This is an effective technique for adding a sense of depth and perspective to a photograph, as well as giving the foreground a sense of scale.

Reference: How to do with your digital camera (Mc Graw Hill)

Composition: Not always set on the center

As a general rule, avoid putting your focal point in the dead center of the photograph. space in a photograph. Once you decide what the focal point of your image is, there�s no reason to relegate it to a small portion of the picture. Get close. Zoom in. Walk over to it. Whatever you need to do, do it in order to keep your focal point from being a small part of the overall image.

Compare these 2 pics:

dead center

Not dead center

Composition: Identify the Focal Point

One of Composition tricks: Identify focal point
I thing you may confuse about: what is the focal point?
The focal point is the main of your picture, such as a building, a person, or animal maybe. Besides, the focal point is the main point of interest that the viewer�s eye is drawn to when looking at your picture. You should always strive to consider what the focus of your picture actually is and then planning your photos.
The problems:
They fail to consider what their subject actually is. When you don�t know what you�re taking a picture of, it�s hard to emphasize that element in the final composition.
For example,

In this image, there is no real focal point, and thus there is nothing for the viewer to concentrate on.

After you understand this ideas when you take the picture please think about these questions, �why did the photographer take it?� or �what you want to inform or telling your viewer to know from your picture?�

As a general rule, you only want a single focal point in your photograph. More than one main subject is distracting, and viewers won�t really know where to look. If I show you a photograph in which several objects have equal visual weight, you probably won�t like it, even though you may not be sure why. It is certainly possible to include multiple focal points in an image, but you should do it with care and also to be more practice will gain more experience.

Just easy example of mutiple focal points: This image has the focal point on the front of the flowers

Reference: How to do everything with your digital camera (Mc Graw Hill)

Composition: Getting start with Composition

These rules are great guidelines to start out with. But if you feel you want to break one of these rules, by all means go right ahead. Photography is not about perfection. Its about capturing images that will be pleasing to you and those you want to share the pictures with. Here are some of those rules:

• 1. Choose a primary point of interest before taking the picture. Determine which area is of the most importance to you and compose the picture around that area.
• 2. Be sure that only the things you want the viewer to see appear in the picture. If there are numerous objects cluttering up the background, your message will be lost. If you can not find an angle or framing to isolate your subject, consider using depth of field control on your camera, if it has one, to keep the background out of focus.
• 3. Give your picture contrast. A light subject will have more impact if placed against a dark background and vice versa. Contrasting colors may be used for emphasis, but can become distracting if not considered carefully.
• 4. Consider the balance of what you are shooting. Generally, asymmetric or informal balance is considered more pleasing in a photograph than symmetric (formal) balance. In other words, placing the main subject off-center and balancing the weight with other objects (smaller or lower impact) will be more effective than placing the subject in the center.
• 5. Frame your picture. A frame in a photograph is something in the foreground that leads you into the picture or gives you a sense of where the viewer is. For example, a branch and some leaves framing a shot of rolling hills and a valley, or the edge of an imposing rock face leading into a shot of a canyon. Framing can usually improve a picture. The frame does not need to be sharply focused. In fact if it is too sharply detailed, it could be a distraction.
• 6. Be sure the viewpoint is pleasing. You can often change a picture dramatically by moving the camera up or down or, stepping to one side. One of the best ways to come up with a prize-winning photograph is to find an unusual point of view.
• 7. When the subject is capable of movement, such as an animal or person, it is best to leave space in front of the subject so it appears to be moving into, rather than out of, the photograph.
• 8. Linear elements such as roads, waterways, and fences placed diagonally are generally perceived as more dynamic than horizontals.
• 9. Use the rule of thirds. This is a principle taught in graphic design and photography and is based on the theory that the eye goes naturally to a point about two-thirds up the page.
• Also, by visually dividing the image into thirds (either vertically or horizontally) you achieve the informal or asymmetric balance mentioned above.
• Read more about line and rule of third in Composition: Line, Composition: Rule of third

Reference: bestcamerabargains.com

Composition: Lines, Symmetry and Patterns

Photographs are two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional scenes. So we need to make the sense of depth for our viewer. When you compose an image in the viewfinder, look for natural or artificial lines that might lead the viewer�s eyes through the photo. These lines can create a sense of depth and perspective that is often lost in the two-dimensional photograph. In other words, lines can be found in several situation please see all 360 degree before you will take pictureJ.
Line: Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal
Horizontal lines

As highlighted, these are the most �relaxing� of lines, bringing a peace to your photographs. In fact, run the horizon directly through the centre of your frame, with an equal amount of sky and landscape on each side, and you�re on the way to a dull photograph! Naturally, this isn�t always the case. But it�s good practice to think about which element of your scene is more impressive and move the horizon higher or lower to emphasise it.
You can take this to extremes. To really bring out a stunning sunset, full of rim-lit, interesting clouds, find a subject that�ll make a striking silhouette, then render it small at the bottom of your frame. Layers of horizontal lines can provide a rhythm to your picture � think of a wave breaking on the shore, more waves coming into view and the horizon in the background. This �rhythm� of lines can become the subject itself.

Vertical lines

Strong, dynamic lines. Combine horizontal lines with these to create more powerful results. When we think of vertical lines, we think of trees, buildings and people.
If you want to emphasise their height and power, try switching to a vertical format for your photograph � you can then increase their size, while their strength will be mirrored by the longest sides of the frame.
Conversely, you can make vertical lines seem as if they�re bursting out of the picture if you opt for landscape format, running the top and bottom ends of the line out of the frame.
Thankfully, the digital advantage means we can correct converging verticals with ease in post-production, further strengthening the power of the vertical line.

Diagonal lines

The most interesting and visually exciting lines. They can lead you into the frame to the centre of interest by the most dynamic of routes.
As viewers we tend to take more notice of subjects cutting through our vision.
Avoid splitting the frame directly in two by running a diagonal line from one corner to the other � the picture tends to lose its drive. It�s more interesting to have a diagonal start just to one side of a corner and continue through the frame to the other side of the opposite corner. You�ll have a more balanced image that works within the confines of the frame.

Form above ideas we can use this feeling of the lines to make sense for our frame....let's try and try for gaining the experiences for composition.

Besides, another trick is look for repetition and patterns, and incorporate those into your image. Patterns, like those that you see in nature or man-made objects, can create interesting effects. Such as:


Reference: Digital Camera Magazine

Composition: Rule of third

The basic philosophy behind the rule of third is to avoid a symmetric compositon which is usually pretty boring because the view is centered. To counteract symmetry the "Rule of the Thirds" can follow two concepts:
1. The rule of thirds that most photographers will tend to think of is the viewfinder grid division into nine sections, as seen here. So we can divide the image into two distinctive areas which cover 1:3 and 2:3 of the size of the picture.

2. The central four points of the middle rectangle - outlined in red - represent the key points of the composition and it is at one of these four points that you would place an important subject matter.
This concept of the rule of thirds is so accepted that some companies are offering cameras with auto focus points at the important grid sections as above.
Example of picture that use the rule of third: