Composition Rules

Negative space

Negative space is the empty area within in an image. Usually, it is the empty area within another space which makes some sort of image (or silhouette). Here, the ‘Pelican’ logo simply used the negative space within the ‘P’ to create a silhouette of a pelican. This silhouette actually blends in nicely to the background to make it look like it is purposely placed that way.

 

Focus

Focus in composition is the use of a focal point, often placed in the most appealing way using the rule of thirds or the golden section. Here in this image, the focal point is on the face of the girl, who is positioned to the left of the image and the right eye on the first third-line intersect.

 

Leading Lines

For this composition rule, it is commonly found in perspective photos as thee lines within the photo all lead to a specific point. This photo in particular uses leading lines effectively as all the lines, even at different angles, lead to a certain point. In Graphics, leading lines often lead to the main subject of the image to allow the viewer to see the entire page leading up to the most important part.

 

Scale

Scale is the use of sizes in order to make a certain aspect of an image become the main focus by scaling it up, standing out from the rest. The more insignificant parts are scaled down to show how it isn’t as important as the larger image. Another use of scale is in photography, where an illusion is created by making something look bigger/smaller than what it is using distance, like the image below.

 

Balance

Balance in an image is when the colours and positioning of certain aspects are level with everything there and look like they are meant to be what they are. For example, the colours could all be warm, cold or just be complimentary. The image should not look like it is incomplete, that it is ‘balanced’.

 

Complimentary elements

Complimentary elements, referring to colour, is using direct opposites of particular colours to make it stand out. As well as colours, complimentary elements also refer to the use of similar shapes which link to each other. In this image below on 2 colours with multiple shades have been used and link everything together. The colours on the watermelon are the same as the colours in the glass which suggest that the drink links to it, which is probably watermelon juice.

 

Contrast

Contrast is when two items are very different to each other in terms of darkness, lightness and texture. The photo below uses this by using black and the contrasting colour to black which is white. Contrast can be changed in an image after it has been created. This can affect certain elements within an image by deducting details or adding to it depending on the strength of the contrast.

 

Repeated Elements

Repeated elements is when a certain element in an image is just repeated several times. This is often found in simple patterns. This image below shows this easily as it seems to just be a parallelogram repeated throughout the entire page but changed to different colours.

 

Alignment

Alignment is where parts of an image, quite simply, aligns to other parts. In this image below, alignment is very prominently shown as the lettering is very organised. The words align in a perpendicular format and the paragraph of text aligns nicely in between the corners of the two ‘T’s.