composition how pictures communicate

CompositionHow Pictures Communicate

photo by:Tim Seguin, Wenatchee High School, Wenatchee, WA

The job of the photojournalist is making a storytelling photograph that connects with the viewer.

Straight to the Heart: Making a Photo a Quick Read

The first step to better photographs is thinking through the assignment.• before the shoot• after the shoot

Straight to the Heart: Making a Photo a Quick Read

Storytelling photography isn’t only about technical skill. Two things all photographers should carry with them: patience and curiosity.

Emotional Impact: Storytelling Skills

Your job is to record real life – you are a journalist, after all. Reporters cannot fabricate stories, so photojournalists should not fabricate photos.


Simplicity is an important element of making great photos. The key is to eliminate non-essential elements from the frame to reduce distraction.


Galleryphoto by:Eric Gardner, Bronson Junior/Senior High School, Bronson, MI

Galleryphoto by:Ashley Hensley, Duncanville High School, Duncanville, TX

Composition is all about planning, positioning and arranging elements in a photograph so that the image communicates as powerfully as it can.

Power Plan: Elements of Composition

Center of interest: Make sure the main subject of your photograph is obviously the most prominent item in the photo.


Galleryphoto by:Karen Fitzpatrick, Cresenta Valley High School, La Crescenta, CA

To apply the rule of thirds, you need to visualize your viewfinder being divided into nine separate areas. Your subject will be placed at one of the intersections of the lines.


Leading lines are a compositional technique using natural lines to direct attention to the center of interest in a photograph.


Galleryphoto by:Lauren Apple, Wilson Area High School, Easton, PA

Curves, circular movement that naturally occurs in a photography, suggests calmness and serenity.


Bird’s-eye view is a high-to-low angle.


Galleryphoto by:Nick Carter, Bryant High School, Bryant, AR

Worm’s-eye view is a low-to-high angle.


Galleryphoto by:Nick Carter, Bryant High School, Bryant, AR

Framing is a composition technique to position the camera so that the foreground or background objects in the picture form a natural frame around the main subject.


Galleryphoto by:Nicole Kornajcik, Highland Park High School, Dallas, TX

Galleryphoto by:William Lewis, Catholic High School for Boys, Little Rock, AR

Lighting itself can become an element of composition. Light and shadow can create frames, positive and negative space and layers.


Galleryphoto by:Abby Nelson, Columbus Unified High School, Columbus, KS

Using a slow shutter speed, follow a subject with the camera. This cases the background to blur while keeping the moving subject sharp. You can pan from side to side and also use a zoom blur.


Galleryphoto by:Josh Donaldson, Ozark High School, Ozark, MD

Using a shallow depth of field, selective focus allows you to achieve a strong center of interest by making sure that your desired subject is the only thing in focus.


GalleryLisa Burnett, Bryant High School, Bryant, AR

Look for opportunities to layer your photos, especially when shooting with your wide-angle lens. All photos have a foreground, middle ground and background. Don’t neglect any of these areas.


Galleryphoto by:Katie Woods, Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, KS

Galleryphoto by:Hannah Brewer, Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, KS

composition how pictures communicate

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elements of composition

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composition technique

element of composition

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