Camera Composition

The Rundown:

Before someone can begin making videos, it is important for them to understand the video's foundation - photography.

Actually, when I say photography, what I really mean is photography principles. In reality, photography principles are also videography principles, as what makes one looks good works on the other as well. The two are so connected, in fact, that the head of camera operation on a film set is actually called the "director of photography". As such, we are beginning your cinematography career with the universal principle of composition.

The instruction:

The Requirements:

After watching the video above, you need to create a Google Slides slideshow by doing the following:

• Complete Steps 1 & 2 listed below.
• Use your phone to capture photos of the compositional principles described in each step (there are 10 total).
• Add your pictures to a Google Slides slideshow. Add only one picture per slide (10 total slides with a picture).
• Add a title above each photo describing which compositional principle you used for that photo.
• Create an 11th, final slide which tells me which 3 compositional photos were your favorites and why.

Here is an example of what your slides might look like:

Each slide is worth 1 point, for a total of 12 points in this assignment with 1 point for creativity and composition.

Your photo slides will be graded on both composition and creativity. If you use each compositional technique both accurately and creatively/with intentionality, you will get full points for your assignment. (You can find the full grading rubric at the bottom of this page).

 Good luck, and have fun with it!

Step 1:

Watch the following video. It will both teach and show you examples of our first 5 composition rules: Rule of Thirds, Symmetry, Leading Lines, Leading Room, and Size Equals Power.

(Note: I've split the video below into two parts to help you skip information you do not need. Watch both video parts.)

With what you gained from the first video in mind, capture 5 different photos using the 5 rules listed below:

• Rule of Thirds
• Symmetry
• Leading Lines
• Lead Room
• Size Equals Power

If you would prefer a written, non-video explanation of these principles, you may find them at this Links to an external site. website.

Step 2:

Using this Links to an external site. website as a guide, capture 5 more photos using each of the following principles:

• Fill the Frame
• Frame within a Frame
• Isolate the Subject
• Two additional principles of your choice found on the webpage. (Note: Choose principles different from what you've done already.)

As you use this website, be conscientious of how much time you have. If you are behind other students, read only the principles you need to use. If you have extra time to spare, I highly recommend looking through as many of the principles as you can.

Web pages like this one are a simple Google Search away (i.e. Googling "Video/Photo Compositional Principles). You should keep this in mind if you want to learn more about this or any other video principle in the future. There's lots of free content to use to help you learn.

Summary:

While video can be daunting to get into (at least, to do it well), it all starts with knowing how to set up your shot. A simple shift of your camera, your subject, or your environment can improve the quality of your footage. And, because this skill is independent of special equipment, you can use it in every photo/video context without fail.

That being said, the last "rule" described in the video above is perhaps most important one...
There are no composition "rules", just composition "principles". These are good for reference and inspiration, but there is only one real rule of composition... make it look good.

Assignment Detailed Information:

Include the following slides in your slideshow:

1. Title Slide with your name.
2. Rule of Thirds
3. Symmetry
4. Leading Lines
5. Lead Room
6. Size Equals Power
7. Fill the Frame
8. Frame Within a Frame
9. Isolate the Subject
10. Principle of your choice that you haven't already done.
11. Principle of your choice #2 that you haven't already done.
12. Tell me which 3 compositional photos were your favorites and why.

Make sure you include a picture and title with the compositional principle you used for that photo.