Composition & Creativity

Question 1

What are the Basic Elements of Composition?

Answer 1

• Points
• Lines
• Shapes

Question 2

Components of Composition

Answer 2

• Intent
• Simplicity
• Balance
• Breathing Space
• Positive & Negative Space
• Patterns & Relations

Question 3

Intent

Answer 3

Nothing in the photograph should happen by accident. Everything must have a reason to exist

Question 4

Simplicity

Answer 4

nothing in your photo takes away from the emotional message

Question 5

Balance or Visual Weight

Answer 5

how much attention each element in the image attracts

• bright objects
• saturated colours
• eyes
• people
• animals
• high contrast
• unusual elements
• anything that attracts attention in the real world

Then, figure out if the visual weight is distributed evenly across the frame, or if one half of the photo has more than the other (from left to right)

Question 6

Balanced vs Imbalanced Photos

Answer 6

Balanced Photos

are peaceful, static, and calm

Imbalanced Photos

are dramatic, tense, and dynamic

Question 7

Breathing Space

Answer 7

When there are multiple points of interest in a photo, you may want to give them “breathing space” by spacing them apart from one another

Question 8

Positive vs Negative Space

Answer 8

Positive Space

is anything in your photo that stands out and attracts attention

(intense, busy, and active)

Negative Space

are areas of an image that fade into the background and don’t draw the eye

(emptiness, peacefulness, and isolation)

Question 9

Patterns & Relationships