Click-a-Pic Challenge #5 "The Rules of Composition"

[shutterspeed]

In every basic photography course they teach you the “rules” of composition, or in other words the placement and arrangement of the visual elements in the photo. Composition is a key part of the photographic element. A poorly composed photo isn't very interesting or appealing. But an expertly composed photo can be a work of art.

There are 5 basic “rules” when it comes to composition.

1.The Rule of Thirds - an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.
http://asp.photo.free.fr/Composition/photoProgramCompBig23.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1387/663337473_4c61a3271d.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/2352442303_20541a3689.jpg

2.Lines or Diagonal Lines – having a “line” in your photograph can draw the eye into the photo and the viewer becomes a part of the photograph. They provide a path for your eye to travel on.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/327698469_d59102f11b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/225/496819049_ab0a7fccdd.jpg

3.Geometric Shapes or Patterns – patterns can add interest and an artistic feel to any photo. Patterns & shapes occur throughout nature as well as with any man made object. Look for interesting patterns & shapes.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3262889421_66257c27e2.jpg

4.Framing - frame the center of interest with objects in the foreground. This can give a picture the feeling of depth it needs to make it more than just another snapshot.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3420695715_7ef88b353c.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2671885300_9d554fd0ec.jpg

5.Simplicity - look for ways to give the center of interest in your pictures the most visual attention. One way is to select uncomplicated backgrounds that will not steal attention from your subject(s).
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/2352442599_589641839d.jpg


For more examples and explanations visit this website: http://asp.photo.free.fr/Composition/photoProgramCompMainClass.shtml

For our next challenge I want everyone to go out and shoot photos with these rules in mind. Submitted photos need to demonstrate 1 or more of the preceeding “rules”.

If you have any questions please feel free to post them or email me. I'm here to help.

You have from*Friday July 24th*to*Thursday July 30th*to shoot your photos for this theme. Please submit only photos taken during that time frame.

REMEMBER:
- You may post up to 2 photos per challenge.
- Post-processing and use of actions ARE ALLOWED.
- Photos must be taken by you during the challenge week.
- Photos must be posted in the *new* PHOTOGRAPHY gallery & in this thread.
- PLEASE SIZE PICS to no larger than 600px WIDE and/or TALL.*
- Please number or title your photographs for recognition.
- DON'T FORGET TO POST WHAT 'RULE(s)' YOU FOLLOWED

[MissMint]

OMGosh my mouth is hanging open at your INCREDIBLE example pics and WOW I LOVE THIS CHALLENGE and I can't WAIT to try!!!! WHOOP!

Another great one Sarah!


*** DON'T FORGET TO POST WHAT 'RULE(s)' YOU FOLLOWED Ladies!****

And now my Q: Sarah is it wrong to combine too many 'rules' in one pic?

[shutterspeed]

i would say probably no more than 3 rules in one photo....otherwise it might start to lose some of it's "simplicity" as rule 5 describes.

my example photos demonstrated 1 or 2 of the rules per photo. i'd say keep it simple.

although it would be fun to try and take a photo that had all 5 rules....LOL! what an interesting idea! :)

anyway, hopefully this theme is much more broad and gives everyone a chance to play along! you'd be surprised by how many things around your house/yard/street apply for this!

happy snapping!

[birgit]

Hey there!

I'm new here, but can't wait to get started! :happydance:

Didn't use my cam for real photographing in such a long time, my fingers start itching...

[audscraps]

sweet! i already have my thinking cap on!

[nina81]

Like Miss Mint said, your pictures are simply stunning!!!! WOW!! And you explained the rules well!
The most interesting rule for me is the line-one! Haven´t tried that before, so I think this will be my target!!!!! Searching already in my head for it....:smug:

[KirstieGai]

holy cow what awesome photos

[birgit]

and they look so natural - like it's the easiest thing to do...

I thought about the challenge all night and started right this morning... well, so far all for the trash! It just doesn't work out like I thought it would! And compared to your pictures..:drama:

Well, I'll keep trying! :yes:

[shutterspeed]

well, so far all for the trash! It just doesn't work out like I thought it would! And compared to your pictures..


something my Grandmother always use to say... "The greatest disservice we do to ourselves is when we compare ourselves to other people!" of course that's easier said than done sometimes right? :teehee:

the example photos are to serve as a source of inspiration...not frustration or intimidation. i've been shooting photos & studying photography for over a decade. i should hope the images are decent! the whole point of the exercise is to practice & get better. no one shoots an awesome photo right out of the gate...even me! :D (maybe i should show yall my crap/reject photos) lol

btw, welcome to PC & the wonderful weekly challenges we have! :yay: jump right on in, the water's warm and the natives are very friendly! :D


as always i do appreciate everyone's high praise so thank you! :) and Nina, i'm glad this challenge is offering you a new.... well.... challenge! :smug:

i'm really excited to see what everyone comes up with!

[MissMint]

Hey there!

I'm new here, but can't wait to get started! :happydance:

Didn't use my cam for real photographing in such a long time, my fingers start itching...


WELCOME Welcome Brigit!! :hithere:

[birgit]

Thanks for the welcome!

Yeah, know you're right about the comparing... one problem I'm trying to work on. It's just sometimes really intimidating... but I'll try! Promise! ;-)

[KirstieGai]

during the last 2 weeks Madison has lost 2 more teeth
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/ruleofthirds.jpg

[audscraps]

UGH! We went to my parent's tonight for dinner and swimming, I brought my camera thinking I could get my "shot." Well, no picture AND I forgot my camera there! UH! :gah:

Good thing they only live 10 minutes away; guess Ill just have to go grab it after work tomorrow.

Just needed to vent. LOL. :drama:

[originalcher1]

Yahoo I managed to post my photo this week. I am mad that I missed the sunset week but this week is fun too! I am loving these challenges makes me re-examine all my photos!
Thanks for looking and good luck everyone!:heartu:
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/thumbs/marshmallows.jpg (http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6589)

[Aemilius]

I caught DS at one of his favorite places yesterday. I played with the tinting in PSE since the original colors were nothing interesting but I did not crop it at all as I liked the framing, wonder if I could have made it better with a somewhat closer crop.

Sitting in the street:

http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/sitting_w.jpg (http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6601)

[audscraps]

Here's mine. :)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/babysurprise05/appleweb.jpg

[MissMint]

ohhh uber arsty fartsy ladies!!

[birgit]

Here is mine, wanted to try something else, but just didn't have time this week. Working all day and kindergarten ist closed for the summer...

I liked the line of the field somehow matching the line of the sky... at least I tried to capture that. And I like it when a storm ist coming up...

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/81/conrfieldklein.jpg (http://img220.imageshack.us/i/conrfieldklein.jpg/)

[shutterspeed]

i'm LOVIN' the entries ladies!! keep 'em coming! :)

[glumirk]

My photos uploaded a little dark, but I don't feel well enough to fix them up today. Any idea why the upload would make such a difference?

This was a really fun challenge, and by far took the least amount of pictures to find something I liked. Thanks for the rules!

Train Tracks
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/Tracks.jpg (http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6607)


Daisies
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/Daisies.jpg (http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6606)

[shutterspeed]

ya know Megan when it comes to that kind of technical stuff, i'm all out of ideas. i'm not sure why it does that sometimes. i've had that happen before where it'll upload lighter or darker than the original. :noidea: i'm clueless.

[RhiG122]

Oh I am SO glad that I found this!!! I have been itching for photoshoots but its just SO hot where I am at that I havent been able to get any shoots in. Everything is so dead and gross looking but that just might work for this challenge!

Totally loving all of the pics by the way!!!

How long do we have to get a pic in again?

[shutterspeed]

the challenges run for a week. for instance this one started last friday and we'll take entries until tomorrow morning.

tomorrow morning i'll post a new challenge that will run until next week! :)

looking forward to seeing your submissions! :smug:

[RhiG122]

Thank you very much! I just made it on this one! Woo!

Zebra Hopper - Used the Rule of Thirds & Simplicity
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/zebrahopper.JPG

Water Fountain Drips - Uses the Rule of Thirds and Geometric Shapes...I think!
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/waterfountain.JPG

[MissMint]

WOW! Stunning images everyone!!!! I hope to participate next week for SURE!!!!
I love this challenge - might have to submit late just for fun,


Rhi - the colors in your shots are so striking.
Megan - LOVE the train tracks.

[PixelChick]

Hopefully I'm getting these in on time! Once again, a great challenge.. Already looking forward to the next!

Happy
Rules used: Rule of Thirds, and I suppose Lines?

http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/happyforweb.jpg



Walking on the Railroad
Rules used: Lines

http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/rrgirlsforweb.jpg

TFL!

[Scrappie Irene]

Amazing photos everyone! Very inspiring!

Unfortunately my PC crashed some days ago and DH has no time to instal Windows again before we go to Italy this night. I lost nothing, because all my files are on a seperate HD and an EHD, but I miss my PC.
So I have to pass this week and next week.

[shutterspeed]

aww sorry to hear that Irene! join us next time then! :)


ok so you gals really outdid yourselves for this challenge. fantastic entries and most of them had such awesome artistic elements. :cheer:


after much deliberation and deciding cuz they were all so good....
i'd like to CONGRATULATE...

Birgit for "Cornfield" (lines)
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/conrfield_klein.jpg
i loved the colors and the post processing you did to give this a "dreamlike" quality.

Honorable Mentions:
Glumirk (Megan) "Train Tracks"
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/Tracks.jpg
great cropping & use of lines. makes me wanna follow the tracks and see where they lead!

Aemilius "Sitting in the Street"
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/sitting_w.jpg
a great use of the rule of thirds, plus lines. the b/w conversion was perfection.

RhiG122 "Zebrahopper"
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/zebrahopper.JPG
simplicity is the name of the game. the background really popped the grasshopper. great macro btw! :)

i really could've posted everyone's photos...i liked so much about all of them. narrowing it down was really tough! can't wait to see what you guys come up with for challenge #6! :D

[birgit]

Oh thank you!!!! I can't believe you chose me!!! I'm so happy I joined you guys here!! I didn't take any pictures in over 6 months.... in January my little world kind of stopped turning and I just couldn't do it any more... too many bad memories came up whenever I even looked at my camera... but I started missing my hobby...

So I'm really really happy about this! Thanks again!

[AlliJ2008]

I may be too late...I took the pic during this week but didn't have time to post until today...
The rule I was going for was lines...this one may be more shapes? or frames?

http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/MMChal5WEB600.jpg (http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6616)

This one is lines:
http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/data/506/MMChall5_02WEB.jpg (http://www.peppermintcreative.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6617)

[RhiG122]

Congrats to you Birgit!!! i love that shot!

miss mint - thanks so much! i am usually a black and white image kind of girl but those just screamed at me in color so i went with it!

thanks for the honorable mention!!!! i love macro. i hope there is going to be a challenge on that soon!

gorgeous pics everyone!

[joscie]

those were all great shots this week ladies! :) allie, I love that shot with the grass! :)

[glumirk]

I love that cornfield pic! The colors are amazing! All of this weeks entries were sooo good! I think we're all getting better! What a fun challenge!

[MissMint]

Congrats Birgit and bravo ladies - I LOVE all these pics!
Love the playground one Allie!