What are the techniques and standards for photographic composition?

There are many composition methods in photography techniques, but they are all developed based on six basic composition rules, namely: the "golden section" rule, the triangle rule, the diagonal rule, and the head of the sky. The law of blank space, the law of movement, and the law of equilibrium and stability exist objectively. Only by making full use of and uniformly using these six basic rules of photographic composition can ordinary photography enthusiasts complete a photograph more easily.

1. Golden Section

The so-called "golden method" rule is to use the "well" character generated by the straight lines divided into three equal parts on both sides of the photographic composition as the divided picture. basis for use. The position of these four dividing lines should not only be used as an ideal location to place the subject in the photo, but their four intersection points should also be used as the visual focus of the entire picture to complete the structure of the "interest center". In this way, the pictures of realistic photography, especially landscape works, not only do not have a dull feeling, but also improve the vividness of the picture "stopping with stillness"; on the contrary, if according to the habits of most people, the scene or even the subject is placed in the same position. If you focus on the central area of ??the picture to complete the visual image, the proportions of the composition of the picture will not appear so appropriate and beautiful.

2. The Triangle Rule

The "Triangle Rule" is the three-point composition method. The three points are not connected on a line to form a plane. In a photographic work, the existence of a flat surface is a must.

Generally speaking, in natural scenery photography and portrait photography, it is very easy to find two points that exist horizontally and vertically. The difficulty is to find a corresponding third point that does not even exist. This requires the photographer to leave the subject to discover or artificially create a third point. Otherwise, the composition of the picture will lose its sense of planeness and the meaning of the words will not be integrated. In a realistic photographic work, the composition of the triangular plane is the emergence, existence and intertwining of multiple elements. There are both horizontal and depth-of-field; there are both bright and colorful, etc.

3. Diagonal Rule

Due to the objective existence of the golden section rule, the four intersection points generated by the straight lines divided into three equal parts on both sides of the picture naturally exist. There are two diagonal lines crossing each other. Therefore, it is particularly important to make good use of the two diagonal lines to reflect the photographer's intention of picture construction and thereby complete the construction of semantic artistic conception.

4. The rule of blank space at the head of the sky

After completing the reasonable layout of the subject and its surrounding scenery, leave an appropriate amount of space above or below the horizontal "golden section" line on the screen. "Blank" is very necessary to arrange the picture space without specific images such as the sky or the earth. The use of blank space in the picture can not only set off and highlight the existence of the subject, but also complete the depiction of artistic conception and rendering of atmosphere while creating visual dynamics and psychological drive in the picture.

5. The law of motion blanks

The proper use of motion blanks is to reasonably arrange the viewing distance. Not only does it allow photographers to have sufficient time and certainty to accurately capture still images of the moment when dynamic objects exist, but it also allows static objects to enter people's subconscious level and create a sense of movement in thinking. On the contrary, in a realistic photographic work, if there is not enough space in front of the moving object and the line of sight, it will not only block people's line of sight, leaving no room for stretching and causing discomfort, but also weaken the momentum of the picture.

6. Balance and Stabilization Method

In a sense, photographic composition is the composition of the camera lens. It is an effective symbol generation system and visual editing and combination method that uses the imaging characteristics of the camera lens and photographic modeling methods to form a certain picture and display the cultural and aesthetic implications of the external world. Especially in photography works that conform to the traditional aesthetic habits of the Chinese nation, a balanced and stable image is very necessary. This is because the balance and stability of the picture and even the tone can not only give people a sense of safety and tranquility, but also give people a sense of workmanship and symmetrical structure.

Twenty composition methods and applicable scenarios derived from six basic developments:

1. Balanced composition: giving people a feeling of satisfaction , the picture structure is perfect, the arrangement is clever, corresponding and balanced. Commonly used in moonlit nights, water surfaces, night scenes, news and other themes.

2. Symmetrical composition: It has the characteristics of balance, stability and relativeness. Disadvantages: rigid, lack of variety. Often used to express symmetrical objects, buildings, and objects of special style.

3. Variable composition: The scenery is deliberately arranged in a certain corner or side, which can give people thinking and imagination, and leave room for further judgment. Full of charm and interest. Commonly used in landscape scenes, sports, artistic photography, humorous photos, etc.

4. Diagonal composition: Arranging the subject on the diagonal can effectively utilize the length of the diagonal line of the picture, and at the same time, it can also create a direct relationship between the accompanying body and the subject. It is dynamic and lively, easily produces the tendency of lines to converge, attracts people's attention, and achieves the effect of highlighting the subject (for example, a spotlight illuminates the subject).

5. Cross-line composition: The scenery is arranged in a diagonal cross-line layout. The intersection of the scenery can be inside the picture or outside.

The former is similar to a cross-shaped composition, while the latter is similar to a diagonal composition. It can make full use of the picture space and direct the line of sight to the center of the cross or outside the picture. It has the characteristics of lively, relaxed, stretched and implicit.

6. Oval composition: It can form a strong sense of wholeness and produce visual effects such as rotation, movement, and contraction. It is often used to express the subject that does not require special emphasis, but focuses on the scene or the atmosphere.

7. Commonly used in construction, bridges, highways, fields and other themes.

8. Bisection composition: Divide the picture into two parts, left and right or top and bottom, to form left and right echoes or up and down echoes, and the space for expression is relatively wide. Half of the picture is the main body, and the other half is the accompanying body. It is often used to express people, sports, animals, architecture and other themes.

9. Sketch-style composition: a composition method that uses close-up photography and other means and based on ideas to turn ordinary small scenes into humorous pictures that are full of interest and profound meaning. It has the characteristics of free imagination and eclecticism. There is no certain structure to this composition.

10. Compact composition: Enlarge the main subject of the scene in a close-up manner so that it partially fills the picture, which is compact, delicate, and microscopic. Often used for portraits, photomicrography, or to express local details. The facial expressions of the characters can often achieve a realistic and unforgettable state.

11. Nine-square grid composition: Place the subject or important scenery at the intersection of the "nine-square grid". The four intersections of the word "well" are the best positions of the subject. It is generally believed that the intersection on the upper right is the most ideal, followed by the intersection on the lower right. But it’s not set in stone. This composition format is more in line with people's visual habits, making the subject naturally become the visual center, highlighting the subject, and making the picture more balanced.

12. Horizontal line composition: It has the characteristics of calmness, tranquility, comfort and stability. It is often used to express the calm mirror-like lake surface, rippling water surface, endless plains, vast flat fields, boundless grasslands, etc.

13. Vertical composition: can fully show the height and depth of the scene. It is often used to represent towering trees in the forest, steep rocks, cascading waterfalls, skyscrapers, and other scenes composed of vertical lines.

14. Diagonal composition: it can be divided into two types: vertical diagonal vertical lines and flat diagonal horizontal lines. It often expresses movement, flow, tilt, turmoil, imbalance, tension, danger, catastrophe, etc. Some pictures also use diagonal lines to point out specific objects and serve as a fixed guide.

15. Triangular composition: The three visual centers are the main positions of the scenery. Sometimes the scenery is arranged in a geometric formation with three points forming one side to form a stable triangle. This triangle can be an equilateral triangle, an oblique triangle, or an inverted triangle. Among them, the oblique triangle is more commonly used and more flexible. Triangular composition has the characteristics of stability, balance and flexibility.

16. Cross-shaped composition: a composition in which the changes in scenery, tone or color on the screen appear in an orthogonal cross shape. This composition can leave more space, so it can accommodate more backgrounds and companions, allowing the viewer's eyes to naturally focus on the intersection. It is mostly used for objects with stable arrangement and combination, or for photographing regularly moving objects, etc.

17. S-shaped composition: The scenery on the screen is in the form of an S-shaped curve, which has the characteristics of extension and change, giving people a sense of rhythm and creating a sense of grace, elegance, and coordination. When you need to express your subject in a curved form, you should first think of using an S-shaped composition. Commonly used in rivers, streams, winding paths, paths, etc.

18. L-shaped composition: Use L-shaped lines or color blocks to surround and frame the subject that needs to be emphasized to highlight the theme. The L shape is like half a frame. It can be a straight L shape or an inverted L shape. Both can focus people's attention within the frame, making the main body prominent and the theme clear. It is often used in pictures with certain patterns and lines.

19. Centripetal composition: The subject is in the center, and the surrounding scenery is concentrated toward the center, which can strongly guide people's eyes to the center of the subject and play a gathering role. It has the distinctive feature of highlighting the subject, but sometimes it can also produce a feeling of oppression of the center, cramped and heavy.

20. Radial composition: with the subject as the core, the scenery spreads and radiates to the surroundings, which can focus people's attention on the subject, and then has the effect of opening, stretching and spreading. . It is often used in situations where the subject needs to be highlighted and the scene is complex. It is also used to produce special effects on characters or scenery in complex situations. You can follow the above instructions for reference shooting.