A Tutorial on Composition in Photography Inspired by Classic Films
Welcome to this exploration of composition in photography, where we'll learn to see the world through the filmmaker's lens.
In this tutorial, we will be unlocking the secrets of those classic movies, exploring the principles they employed, and learning how to apply these concepts to photography. We'll deconstruct these iconic frames, analyze them, and learn how to apply their principles to our own photographic practice.
So, let's take this exciting journey together into the world of composition in photography, inspired by the timeless beauty of classic film.
In this article, you will learn:
- What Is Composition in Photography?
- Rules of Composition in Photography
- How to Compose Properly in Photography？
What Is Composition in Photography?
Composition in photography refers to how the visual elements are arranged within a photograph. It's the way the photographer organizes the scene to convey a particular mood, narrative, or idea.
Good composition can help guide the viewer's eye to the most essential parts of the photo, making the image more engaging and impactful.
Rules of Composition in Photography
Classic cinema is a treasure trove of exquisite composition and framing techniques. Each scene, each shot, and each frame is a masterclass on how to tell a compelling story visually.
The directors of these timeless classics understood the power of composition in photography and used it to enhance their storytelling, augment the mood and emotions, push the narrative forward, and create unforgettable imagery.
Using different photography composition techniques in conjunction with the atmosphere and setting of a film can bring out the emotional and narrative aspects of the visuals in each frame. This conveys the visual beauty of photography.
Today, we'll be using some classic film stills to discuss how to cleverly use composition in photography to create a cinematic feel when shooting.
1. Rule of Thirds Composition
The rule of thirds is a basic but powerful guideline in visual arts, especially in photography. Imagine dividing your image into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines.
The rule suggests that you should place the most important elements along these lines, or at their intersections.
Many classic film stills use the rule of thirds composition, which divides the image into three equal parts horizontally and vertically using the golden ratio. This composition technique is more flexible and varied in terms of spatial segmentation compared to center composition.
Although the rule of thirds composition appears simple, it greatly enhances the beauty and order of the image. For example, in the classic film "Kill Bill", the two opposing characters are positioned on the left and right thirds of the frame, creating a tense atmosphere that culminates in an imminent fight.
"Kill Bill"
The movie "Mad Max: Fury Road" is about freedom and female empowerment. It used the rule of thirds composition to create visually interesting and emotionally engaging scenes.
By placing the main character at an intersection point, with a lot of empty space around them, the audience gets a sense of the character's struggle and a feeling of fighting against their fate.
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
2. Framing Composition
Framing involves using other elements in your photograph to frame the main subject. This is a great way to isolate your subject and draw the eye directly to it. Anything can be used as a frame – look for things like windows, archways, branches, or even people.
Using a framing composition can enhance the layering effect of the shots and scenes in a film, and it's also very easy to shoot.
For example, by using existing framing elements in the scene to create a frame, you can filter out elements in the image that are not related to the main subject, allowing the viewer to focus on what's inside the frame at a glance.
Many classic films, such as "Carol" and "Green Book", use the framing effect of car windows by placing the subject within the window frame, guiding the viewer's gaze toward the story within the frame. This technique also avoids the cluttered feeling of the surrounding environment, creating a specific atmosphere for the scene.
"Green Book"
The window frame element is often used as a foreground in film composition to emphasize the action of the characters within the frame. The background provides context and the foreground extends the layering of the scene, adding spatial perspective and creating a sense of voyeurism for the viewer.
The framing effect is not limited to specific elements, and by using the interaction between the frame and the characters, a different atmosphere can be created. The most iconic prison break scene in the film "The Shawshank Redemption" uses a simple framing composition.
The circular frame formed by the mud hole dug by the main character is used as the foreground, focusing the viewer's attention on the facial expressions of the three characters within the frame, creating a first-person perspective of the scene.
"The Shawshank Redemption"
3. Diagonal Composition
The diagonal composition places the subject at the diagonal position of the frame, guiding the viewer's gaze to move around the frame and ultimately converge on the main subject, even extending outside the frame. Additionally, the diagonal line creates a dynamic feeling for the entire image.
Many classic scenes in the film "The Legend of 1900" use diagonal composition. When the main character is preparing to leave the ship, the tilted gangway divides the frame into two parts.
The lonely figure of the character contrasts with the giant ship behind him, and the direction of the diagonal line extending toward the land is full of unknown possibilities.
"The Legend of 1900"
The film "Life of Pi" is full of metaphorical artistic details. For example, the main character and the tiger form two diagonal lines, implying that their "warfare" is happening silently and invisibly. The crossed diagonal composition perfectly presents this state of opposition and coexistence.
"Life of Pi"
Using diagonal elements in the scene, such as stairs or other natural guiding lines, can create a sense of depth and perspective in the image. It can also avoid cluttered background environments, making the composition of the image more concise and highlighting the main subject.
In the film "Joker", a famous scene uses the diagonal composition created by the stairs.
The character completely unleashes his "Joker" persona and dances wildly on the stairs, with the diagonal stairs naturally guiding the viewer's focus toward the main character. The blurred figures in the distant background of the stairs create a sense of mystery and suspense.
"Joker"
4. Leading Lines Composition
Leading lines are lines within an image that lead the eye to another part of the image. They can be anything that creates a line in your photo, like roads, fences, buildings, long hallways, trees, or shadows. The lines can draw the viewer's eye towards a certain point in the image, creating a visual narrative and depth.
Leading lines in film composition can be actual lines present in the scene or imaginary visual leading lines. For example, the viewer's gaze can be focused on the central element within the frame or extended beyond the frame, creating more room for imagination.
The film "Inception" features scenes that fold and overlap between reality and dreams, and the composition of the images often uses spatial perspective.
The geometric lines of the architecture are used to guide the viewer's gaze toward the central character, creating a strong sense of depth and three-dimensionality in the image through the use of perspective.
"Inception"
Spatial perspective combined with the character's eye gaze and movement can guide the viewer's gaze toward a specific direction, character, or space outside the frame.
For example, in the film "Leon: The Professional", the classic scene where Mathilda holds a gun uses the spatial perspective principle of "near big, far small" to depict the environment around them. The leading of the eye gaze and movement creates a tense atmosphere that spills over the screen.
"Leon: The Professional"
Similarly, in the film "The Great Gatsby", the positioning and eye gaze of different characters use the three-level perspective guiding composition technique of foreground, middle ground, and background to create a rich story atmosphere for the image.
This "one-shot-to-the-end" technique that leads the gaze from near to far emphasizes the connection between the environment and the characters, as well as between the characters themselves.
"The Great Gatsby Composition"
How to Compose Properly in Photography？
Good photographic composition is a critical element in creating impactful images. This section aims to guide you on how to compose properly in photography.
1. Mastering Composition Techniques in Photography
To begin, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with commonly used composition methods in photography. These techniques serve as a foundation for creating visually pleasing images.
2. Try Visual Storytelling
Photography is a powerful medium for storytelling. When capturing an image, consider the story you want to convey and use composition effectively to express it. Here's how:
- Conceptualize your Story: Before taking the shot, visualize the narrative or emotion you want to convey through your photograph. This will guide your composition choices and help you capture the essence of the story.
- Composition as a Narrative Tool: Utilize compositional elements such as framing, perspective, and depth to enhance the storytelling aspect of your image. Each element should contribute to the narrative and evoke the desired emotions or reactions from your viewers.
3. Post-Processing and Cropping
While capturing a well-composed photograph in-camera is ideal, post-processing can enhance your composition further. Consider the following:
- Cropping for Improved Composition: If you feel that your original photo composition lacks impact, experiment with cropping during post-processing. By removing unnecessary elements or adjusting the framing, you can refine the composition and draw attention to the essential elements.
- Adjusting Contrast, Colors, and Tone: Post-processing allows you to fine-tune the contrast, colors, and overall tone of your image. These adjustments can strengthen the composition by emphasizing the desired focal points and creating visual harmony or impact.
- Try Using TourBox: TourBox is a hardware editing controller designed to streamline post-production for photographers. It provides quick access to editing functions, enhances control and precision, and reduces physical strain. With customization options and portability, TourBox improves efficiency and helps photographers achieve high-quality edits.
4. Breaking the Rules
While understanding traditional composition techniques is essential, don't be afraid to break the rules and explore unconventional approaches. Creativity knows no boundaries! Here's how to embrace artistic freedom:
- Embrace Unconventional Perspectives: Challenge yourself to capture unique angles or viewpoints that deviate from standard compositions. Experiment with low angles, high vantage points, or unusual framing to create distinctive and captivating images.
- Personalize Your Style: Develop your own signature style by experimenting with different compositions. Allow your creativity to shine through and let your photographs reflect your unique vision and perspective.
Remember, mastering composition in photography is an ongoing journey. Continuously practice and refine your skills while exploring new techniques and pushing your creative boundaries. By understanding the fundamentals and embracing your artistic expression, you'll craft captivating photo compositions that resonate with your viewers.
