Geometry Thru Composition. rectangles Using rectangles is a close likeness to Rule of Thirds. However, rather than keeping each section of your frame.

GeometryThru Composition

rectanglesUsing rectangles is a close likeness

to Rule of Thirds.

However, rather than keeping

each section of your frame equal,

you can use rectangles of varying

sizes to place your subject.

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rectangles

In this image the rectangles make up the bottom half of the frame,

and the left side of the frame, isolating the light pole as the subject.

circles

You can capture a certain energy with the motion of a circular line, and

also lead your eye through the frame.

circles

The use of circles in this shot draws you into the depth of the scene,

allowing you to take in the water and reflection, and the backdrop of the

mountains.

polygons

polygons

In this image the Polygon is created by flowers in the foreground – and also a

contrast between the light and dark areas.

triangle

A triangle is a closed curve that incorporates at least one diagonal. Being closed, it won't lead

the eye out of the frame. However, especially an equilateral triangle is a lot more static than a

diagonal. By itself, and especially in the middle of the frame, it can lead to a static and boring

composition.

squares

Squares make excellent frames and provide incredible interest with repetition.

arches

Arches have the similar natural motion of circles, but these may be more a part

of the background than a complete shape in itself.

arches

parallel and converging lines

It can be very difficult to use

lines well. But not only is it

possible, when used, these

parallel and converging lines

can be quite effective for

composing background

elements.

rule of thirds

rule of thirds

leading linesA leading line does what it says: it leads

the eye from one part of the picture to

another: from the foreground to the

background, the secondary subject to the

main subject (but very rarely the other

way round). The leading line adds motion

to an otherwise static picture and ties

different elements in it together. Diagonals

and arcs or other unclosed curves make

good leading lines.

spatial dividerA spatial divider divides the picture into

discrete areas, which work together to

make the composition. Not all pictures

are based on areas, but sometimes areas

can make for a strong composition even

in the absence of clear points of interest.

Triangles are particularly useful as spatial

dividers, but other elements (diagonals,

open curves) can perform the role as well.

framing elementA framing element serves to focus attention on the

main subject. It usually covers at least two edges of

the picture and can intrude a good way into it,

sometimes taking up most of the space in it. For this

to work, the framing element has to have some

interesting characteristics of its own: color, texture,

or shape.

Bold, geometric shapes can work very well as

framing elements: triangles or arcs work especially

well. Usually, framing elements should be lower-key

and more muted than the main subject: they are not

meant to distract, but to focus, even when the actual

point of the picture is the framing element.

spatial divider

diagonal

A picture with a diagonal element is almost always more dynamic and stronger than

the same picture without it. While verticals and horizontals usually divide the space

into areas, diagonals connect. Indeed, one of the most common and effective uses for

the diagonal is the *leading line* -- something that connects a main subject to a

secondary subject, causing the eye to move inside the frame. In this role, diagonals can

be strong components of perspective and depth, giving a picture three-dimensionality.

glossary• axiom. A basic assumption

about a mathematical system from which theorems can be deduced. For example, the system could be the points and lines in the plane. Then an axiom would be that given any two distinct points in the plane, there is a unique line through them.

• congruent. Two shapes in the plane or in space are congruent if there is a rigid motion that identifies one with the other (see the definition of rigid motion).

• rigid motion. A transformation of the plane or space, which preserves distance and angles.

• perspective. The technique or process of representing on a plane or curved surface the spatial relation of objects as they might appear to the eye; specifically : representation in a drawing or painting of parallel lines as converging in order to give the illusion of depth and distance

task 1.Identify the planes in a photo or video still2.Overlay parallel lines on each plane to the point of convergence, or

as close as possible on image3.Note two or more distinct points on the plane and how they relate to

the parallel lines.

Standard: Demonstrate an understanding of geometry by identifying and giving examples of undefined terms, axioms, theorems, and inductive and deductive reasoning.

perspective

taking it further…

1.Identify a polygon shape in a photo with an overlay of the shape in Photoshop.

2.Enlarge or shrink (crop) both the image and shape layers equally until they fill a 4x6 canvas.

3.Repeat for an 8x10 canvas size.4.Note the different aspect ratios.