Visual Composition

Created for a High School production class

1. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
When Framing your Shots:When Framing your Shots:
Avoid Unnecessary ElementsAvoid Unnecessary Elements
Observe the Rule of ThirdsObserve the Rule of Thirds
BalanceBalance the Frame the Frame
Maintain Maintain SimpleSimple Composition Composition
Keep Elements Keep Elements OrderlyOrderly
Composition is the visual
organization of the
objects in a defined area

2. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Dominant Quadrants Leading Lines

3. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Size Size of the elementof the element
Shape Shape of the elementof the element
BrightnessBrightness of the of the
elements elements
Color Color of the elementof the element
Visually emphasize
one element over
others by using
contrast in the:

4. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Depth of Field Variables:Depth of Field Variables:
FFrame Raterame Rate
AAperture of Lensperture of Lens
LLens Focal Lengthens Focal Length
SSpeed of Filmpeed of Film
EExposurexposure
Use Select Focus to
emphasize one element
over other elements

5. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Asymmetrical Balance is more visually interesting

6. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Contrast and Color are ways to emphasize elements

7. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Contrast and Color are ways to emphasize elements

8. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
The Rule of Thirds helps to emphasize elements

9. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
The Rule of Thirds helps to emphasize elements

10. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Crop These Photos by Applying the Rule of Thirds

11. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Crop These Photos by Applying the Rule of Thirds

12. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Crop These Photos by Applying the Rule of Thirds

13. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Aspect Ratio is the ratio of Horizontal vs. Vertical

14. Aspect RatiosAspect Ratios
TIP

15. Aspect RatiosAspect Ratios
TIP
Always protect for other aspect ratios.
The boom mic that doesn’t show
in 1.85 : 1 will be clearly
visible in 1.33 : 1

16. Aspect RatiosAspect Ratios
TIP
Always protect for other aspect ratios.
The boom mic that doesn’t show
in 1.85 : 1 will be clearly
visible in 1.33 : 1

17. Aspect RatiosAspect Ratios
TIP
Always protect for other aspect ratios.
The boom mic that doesn’t show
in 1.85 : 1 will be clearly
visible in 1.33 : 1

18. Aspect RatiosAspect Ratios
TIP
Always protect for other aspect ratios.
The boom mic that doesn’t show
in 1.85 : 1 will be clearly
visible in 1.33 : 1

19. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Compose your frame for the correct Aspect Ratio

20. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Special care needs to be taken when framing widescreen images

21. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Pan and Scan is the
technique of
adapting 16x9 video
to fit a 4x3 monitor.
Often, it is possible
to crop the 16x9
frame into two 4x3
medium closeups.

22. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
The Rule of Thirds applies to 16x9 frames as well

23. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Placing
important
picture
elements near
the edge of
the frame can
be an
effective
compositional
tool.

24. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Allow ample leading room for moving subjects

25. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Leading Lines help direct the viewer’s attention

26. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Leading Lines help direct the viewer’s attention

27. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
A combination of composition techniques can be
used in a single image

28. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
In video, “Staging” is known as “Camera Blocking”
and it applies to the relative placement of the actors

29. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
In video, “Staging” is known as “Camera Blocking”
and it applies to the relative placement of the actors

30. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
There are several ways to create the illusion of depth

31. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
The illusion of depth can be created by shooting with a
wide lens and from a low camera angle

32. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Framing with foreground elements also helps to
create the illusion of depth

33. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Framing with architectural elements also helps to
create the illusion of depth

34. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
Windows can be used to frame a scene and to help
create the illusion of depth

35. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
The opposite effect is created by using a telephoto
lens which flattens the image

36. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
• A A FrameFrame is like a unit of sound – an is like a unit of sound – an
essential building block of languageessential building block of language
that is usually too small to deliver athat is usually too small to deliver a
message by itselfmessage by itself
• An An ImageImage is like a word is like a word
• A A ShotShot (a continuously evolving stream (a continuously evolving stream
of images) is like a sentenceof images) is like a sentence
• A A SceneScene is like a paragraph – It is is like a paragraph – It is
composed of several shots andcomposed of several shots and
conveys meaning about a single topicconveys meaning about a single topic

37. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
The Extreme Long Shot is usually referred to as The Extreme Long Shot is usually referred to as
an Establishing Shotan Establishing Shot
Shot Types
Long Shot Long ShotExtreme Long Shot

38. Visual CompositionVisual Composition
The Full Shot is also known as a Wide ShotThe Full Shot is also known as a Wide Shot
Shot Types
Full ShotMedium Long Shot

39. Visual CompositionVisual Composition

Shot Types
Medium ShotThree Quarter Shot
The Medium Shot is also known as a Waist-up ShotThe Medium Shot is also known as a Waist-up Shot

40. Visual CompositionVisual Composition

Shot Types
CloseupMedium Closeup
The Medium Closeup is also known as a Bust ShotThe Medium Closeup is also known as a Bust Shot

41. Visual CompositionVisual Composition

Shot Types
Extreme CloseupBig Closeup
The Big Closeup is also known as a ChokerThe Big Closeup is also known as a Choker

42. Visual CompositionVisual Composition

Shot Types
This shows the frames of the assorted shots

43. Visual CompositionVisual Composition

Shot Types
Bird’s-Eye ViewVertical Angle Shot Names
Relation of the Camera to the Subject on Y AxisRelation of the Camera to the Subject on Y Axis

44. Visual CompositionVisual Composition

Shot Types
Neutral AngleHigh Angle
Neutral Angle should always be used unless requested by Neutral Angle should always be used unless requested by
the DP or Director to convey a message about the talentthe DP or Director to convey a message about the talent

45. Visual CompositionVisual Composition

Shot Types
Worms-Eye ViewLow Angle
Low angle conveys a message of admirationLow angle conveys a message of admiration