Creating a good composition

[Errol McGillivray]

I was curious as to how much we know about composition and design.

There are many little tips that can help us set up our images to make them visually balanced and attractive.

Let's each submit a point from art theory that we've learned.

I'd like to submit the Rule of Thirds.

Rule of Thirds in Photography

It's a neat little trick to help you have focal points. Mostly I've heard about it pertaining to photos, but it works for illustrations too.  

[Mogtoats]

I know this but I tend to forget to apply it for some reason.

Errol, there is something in theater called stage balance (or something), do you know? Basically it is that on stage, the actors have to be balanced either side.

And that can be applied to pictures, too. Try to balance left and right elements in drawings.  

[KowPatty]

Another important guide are the classic compositions:

http://chrisbfulmer.com/nlcart/2ddesign/ClassicCompositions.htm



a focal point is well-placed on the rule of thirds or the golden mean, but overall, composition is much more than a focal point.

also, i have learned that it helps if the positive area leads off the plane in at least 3 sides. this brings the space forward and makes it more personal.  

[Yuri Mono]

This doesnt really pertain to photographs/RL artforms. But it does have to do with proportions in the face/body.
The greeks came up with it. It's where you put your thumb next to your forefinger, with your hand/palm flat. and the part of the forefinger that doesnt have the finger next to it is used to measure proportions on the face.
It's one ...length. shrug. it's a unit of measure.

But the eyes are each one length, so is the mouth, and the ears. and the tip of the nose to the bridge/where it curves into your fore head is also one.

3nodding  

[KowPatty]

actually that does have everything to do with it - it is the golden ratio and it exists throughout nature, not just in our body's proportions.. smile it is part of where the rule of thirds comes from and it is also seen in pine cones, sunflowers, seashells, snails and more!  

[Yuri Mono]

Oh hurray! 3nodding

Thanks, I totally forgot what it was called... sweatdrop

 

[Errol McGillivray]

The Martian

I know this but I tend to forget to apply it for some reason.

Errol, there is something in theater called stage balance (or something), do you know? Basically it is that on stage, the actors have to be balanced either side.

And that can be applied to pictures, too. Try to balance left and right elements in drawings.

Cool. Seems there are things from different disciplines that can be used in drawing.

Visual balance is pretty important. I notice that's something I'm constantly mentioning in critiques. People confuse balance with symmetry too. Imbalance causes the eye to go directly to what seems "off" so you'll have a focus you don't want if. Then if it's symmetrical, you'll have a center focus that you don't want.

A lot of people aren't really familiar with eye flow. I try to keep that in mind. I don't always do a good job of it, but hey, it helps.  

[Errol McGillivray]

KowPatty

Another important guide are the classic compositions:

http://chrisbfulmer.com/nlcart/2ddesign/ClassicCompositions.htm



a focal point is well-placed on the rule of thirds or the golden mean, but overall, composition is much more than a focal point.

also, i have learned that it helps if the positive area leads off the plane in at least 3 sides. this brings the space forward and makes it more personal.

I'm going to add this one to the resource sticky.

I know there's more to composition than focal point. But if I started listing a lot of things, would you guys have posted?  

[KowPatty]

oh i was just adding to the conversation, i wasnt trying to make it sound like you forgot something smile

i probably would have posted anyway, it would be impossible for anyone to list all of the compositional possibilities wink  

[Errol McGillivray]

Yuri Mono

Oh hurray! 3nodding

Thanks, I totally forgot what it was called... sweatdrop

Golden Numbers and Us

You can look through the sections on the side. There's some great pictures and he read is easy.

Golden Spiral (that's what I learned to use to help with focal point and comps), divine proportion, golden mean... there's a lot of ways to say it.  

[Errol McGillivray]

KowPatty

oh i was just adding to the conversation, i wasnt trying to make it sound like you forgot something smile

i probably would have posted anyway, it would be impossible for anyone to list all of the compositional possibilities wink

True. I'm not that smart anyway. xd  

[KowPatty]

the fibonacci sequence!  

[arcane_halo]

How is it that I understand a little of this when I'm not even a phoographer...

*thinks of brother* Ah yes...he teaches me things...  

[Victor VonKeller]

Of course It's Errol razz
Lol.  

[perplexi]

here are some more compositions:

- Order
- Irregular
- Diagonal
- Vertical
- Horizontal
- Focal point (donut hole)
- Radial
- Kinetic energy


also, go to art school and take principles of design class.