Organising the Frame
Composition arranges tones, shapes and lines inside a chosen boundary. It relies on conventions rather than strict physical laws.
Gestalt Principles
Viewers naturally organise what they see using psychological mechanisms:
| Principle | Viewer Action |
|---|---|
| Proximity | Groups nearby elements |
| Similarity | Groups matching tones, shapes, or directions |
| Closure | Completes broken contours |
| Continuity | Follows interrupted lines |
| Figure and ground | Separates the main object from its background |
These principles exist in the viewer's mind. The photographer merely sets them up to be performed.
Frame Divisions
John Thomas Smith introduced the rule of thirds in Remarks on Rural Scenery in 1797. On a 36 mm wide frame, the vertical lines fall at 12 mm and 24 mm.
The golden section uses a ratio of 1.618. On a 36 mm frame, its divisions lie at 13.75 mm and 22.25 mm. Jay Hambidge developed dynamic symmetry using diagonals, which yields very similar positions.
Stability and Space
Centred subjects create stability, whereas off-centre elements produce visual tension.
Negative space refers to empty areas. It carries weight, dictates scale, and actively generates composition tension.
Common pitfall: Treating the rule of thirds as a rigid law. It remains merely a practical guideline.