An Exploration into Composition

The next step for me is to work out what types of composition there are available and when they should be used. For previous pieces of work, I have always aimed to analyse the compositions of my shots, however this has never really progressed from the basics of the reliable 'rule of thirds' and 'golden spiral' methods. This has caused me to want to expand my knowledge of compositional methods and complete some research into the alternative methods of composition used by more advanced photographers and cinematographers.

During my research, one of the websites that I found interesting / useful was
"Geometry in Composition".
This website explains the use of the following compositional methods:


Diagonal Lines:



Diagonal lines in an image add a great deal of depth. They provide a method of forcing the eye to move across/through an image, whilst at the same time adding in an element of perspective. Alternatively they can be used as a spacial divider between two areas/subjects. An issue with the use of diagonal lines in images are that they will run entirely across a frame causing an eye trap, so the line would need blocking and cutting up with other subjects.


S-Curves:

The S-Curve is another method that causes the eye to move around an image in a certain way, in order to cause perspective and depth. This type of compositional element can stand alone as a subject of an image as well as a form of composition due to the S providing a flowing feeling.


Triangles:

The triangle is a closed and strong shape: It symbolises strength, stability and security. It is a static element that connects subjects and leads the eye around three main points of an image.

Arcs / Arches:






















The archway is very similar to the triangle in the sense of showing strength and stability, however the arch is not an entire shape: a triangle is closed, whereas the archway is broken and has no base, which seemingly cancels out the sense of stability, it is a powerful shape and anything placed under this will make the shape seem daunting and the subject underneath feel small and overpowered.



I then went further and found out about:

L-Shapes:

L-shapes are really basic compositions that make the eye focus on a subject rather than a background. They make the background seem pointless and are usually seen in images where the background is out of focus and the subject is much clearer (for example where a character's dialogue is more important). This compositional method is key in expressing a narrative.

Circles:

The final compositional method that I found was the use of circles. Circles do not need to be obvious, they are more commonly very subtle and connected by various points of interest within an image. Anything that appears in the middle of a circle is meant to appear safe and secure as if the circle were a bubble protecting them from anything on the outside. On the other hand; if this circle were to be broken then that makes the subject insecure and vunerable.

Conclusion:

After looking into all of the different methods of composition and setting up an image. I then had to relate all of my findings to the film I needed to make: Were they relevant or would they give the wrong impression and detour my narrative etc.

The conclusions that I have reached are that I need to use a mixture of a few different methods:

• There will be a lot of broken circles used to create the sense of vunerability.
• There will be some use of archways to show that there is something hanging over the subject that is overpowering and affecting their feelings.
• There should be a use of L shapes to help get across the point of the character being the most important thing in the film.
• There should also be a mixture between placing the subject in the center of the image and placing her on one side to create imbalance.