ECOMP 6016 Online
Teaching and Learning with Multimedia
Dr. George Blakeslee
Task 023 (optional) Using a Digital Camera
** All students -
Post your Task 023 Digital Photo as an attachment to a reply to the Task 021 - 023 Discussion Board thread.
Read the following Basic Principles of Photography.
Then use a digital camera to compose a picture using one or more of these techniques.
The operation of a Digital Camera vary with model and installed software.
Locate a digital camera and read user's guides for both camera and software to operate.
Basic Principles of Photography: Image Composition
Principle 1: Rule of Thirds (Photography e-Book Chapter 15)
The most oft-advised technique to good composition is the rule of thirds. There are two aspects to the rule of thirds and understanding how they work and interrelate is not difficult at all.
The basic picture scene will have three major elements of:
1 - Foreground
2 - Middle-ground
3 - Background
These elements are self-explanatory and although they may seem more appropriate for a landscape image, they can still be used and applied to other photos such as portraits or abstracts. Being aware of these three elements will provide you with a basis to avoid the typical subject-centered image with a 50/50 split.
Principle 2: The second aspect is the “Golden Point” rule of scene composition.
When looking at the scene, imagine a tic-tac-toe grid superimposed upon it. The horizontal lines are recommended placement positions for horizons and background elements. The vertical lines are recommended placement positions for foreground elements. The 4 “Golden Points” of intersection are recommended for placement of the subject of the picture.
Principle 3: Diagonal rule
According to the Diagonal Rule, important elements of the picture should be placed along these diagonals:
Principle 4: Disappearing Lines into Corners:
If there are strong lines in the scene, try to get them to disappear into the corner. If the lines break into the center or the edge, it tends to divide the photo, but disappearing into a corner seems to make composition stronger.
Principle 5: The Frame
Closely related to the S-Curve, this is where you use an overhanging bough, or an archway or doorway, to frame the principal subject. It can be overdone, but if you don't do it, you may find that your picture just 'peters out' towards the edges.
By framing the scene, all the attention is concentrated on the main part of the picture. Rock formations, archways or trees with overhanging branches make great natural frames.
Lesley University, 29 Everett Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA 02138-2790
(c) George Blakeslee All Rights Reserved
