Compositional Tools

What are compositional tools?

Composition comes from the Latin word, componere, which means put together. Photographic compositional tools refer to the various techniques and elements that photographers use to 'put together' a photograph. By using tools to arrange and organize visual elements, photographers create visually appealing and effective images by guiding the viewer's eye and emphasizing the main subject or message of the photograph.

Compositional tools can overlap with Principles of Design and Elements of Art, however, they provide a framework that is specific to Photography and supports beginners to learn Photographic skills. There are many kinds of compositional skills but we will focus on the following:

Rule of Thirds
Leading Lines
Balance
Frame within a Frame
Filling the Frame
Patterns & Repetition
Contrast
Angle (high or low)

Rule of Thirds

This is a guideline that suggests dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically, and placing the main subject or point of interest at the intersection of these lines. Imagine that your image is divided in to a tic-tac-to board. This creates the lines you should place your subject on as this creates visual interest.

In the example on the left, a still of Joquin Phoenix's famous dance on the stairs from Joker (2019) shows how the cinematographer uses rule of thirds to frame the shot. They also used leading lines which is the next tool we will get to!

Similarly, in the poster below for King Kong, the Graphic Designer deliberately placed Kong's eyes at the cross-section of two lines to draw even more attention. They then placed the title of the film on a parallel cross section.

Taylah, 2025

Leading Lines

A photograph that uses leading lines will contain lines within the photograph that lead the viewer's eye towards the main subject or point of interest. Lines can be created through all sorts of things, from literal lines painted or drawn, to brickwork textures, to lines made from edges, shadows or light.

In the photo to the right, additional red lines have been added to show you the natural lines that were captured from the bridge edges and railings. Notice how these lines make the model stand out, capturing viewer's attention.

Lines are created through edges, tile and paver patterns.

Lines are created through the roof texture and the shadows from the subject.

Lines are created through the use of light in a long exposure image that draws viewer's attention from the trees to the car.

The photograph below on the right shows Firefighters at work against a forest fire in the village of A Cañiza, Pontevedra, Spain, on July 31. 2022. Alberto Sxenick. This was included in Time's top 100 photos of 2022.

Henri Cartier-Bresson's The Cyclist taken in France in 1932 is an example of "the decisive moment" which refers to the moment when all elements of a scene come together in perfect balance and harmony, resulting in a powerful and unforgettable image. The way he captured leading lines lead to this being an acclaimed photo that has been studied by many. You can learn more about that here.

Balance

Balance is an important compositional tool that photographers use to create visually appealing and harmonious images. Simply put, balance refers to the distribution of visual weight in an image. A balanced photo feels stable and pleasing to look at, while an unbalanced photo can feel uncomfortable or jarring.

There are two important types of balance in photography: symmetrical and asymmetrical.

Symmetrical balance is when the elements of an image are evenly distributed on either side of a central line. Think of a mirror image, where one half of the image is identical to the other. This type of balance creates a sense of calmness and order in the image. For example, the image to the left at the top is symmetrical on a vertical line.

Asymmetrical balance is when the elements of an image are not evenly distributed but still feel balanced. Instead of being mirrored, the elements are arranged in a way that creates a sense of equilibrium in the image. This type of balance creates a sense of tension and visual interest in the image. For example the image on the left at the bottom shows a building and a branch taking the same visual weight but with one on the top left of the frame and one on the bottom right.

The image below uses light, space and contrast to create symmetrical balance.

Max Dupain's Sunbaker, 1937, uses symmetrical balance by posing the main with his shoulders and arms taking up similar space and visual weight on the left and right of the photograph.

Man Ray's Black and White, 1926, creates asymmetry by balancing the women's head which takes two thirds of the image with the head sculpture that takes one third.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II by jmatta@bethelsd.com is an example of radial symmetry, where an object is the same when you rotate it around a central point. Imagine drawing lines from the center of a circle to its edge - if the object looks the same no matter which of those lines you choose, it has radial symmetry.

Frame within a Frame

A frame within a frame is a technique in photography where you use elements in the environment to create a "frame" within the composition of the photograph. The frame acts as a visual boundary that directs the viewer's attention to the subject or adds depth to the image.

The frame can be any element in the environment such as a window, doorway, arch, tree branches, or even people. By positioning your subject within this frame, you create a layered effect that adds interest and dimension to the photograph.

For example, in the image to the right, the park bench has been used to create a frame around the subject (the person) and this adds interest to the photograph. The lines of the bench also create leading lines that further draw attention to the subject.

Below is an example from and aeroplane window and even a hole in a canvas wall has been used for this effect!

Below, Mikhail Kulikv, a Russian soldier sentenced to 10 years in jail after he was found guilty of firing a tank at a multi-storey apartment building in the first days of the Ukraine war, at the court in Chernihiv on Aug. 4. He was the second Russian soldier convicted in Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion. Stanislav Krupar.

Time top 100, 2022

Below, a bombed grain silo containing still burning grain inside in Zasillya, Ukraine, on July 16

Time top 100, 2022

Below, a scene from the Cohen Brother's No country for Old Men shows how even a mirrored reflection can be used to create a frame within a frame. This technique is also used widely in cinematography. View this link to learn more about how frame within a frame is used by film-maker, Paul Thomas Anderson.

Filling the Frame

Fill the frame or cose-ups involve filling the entire image frame with the main subject of the photo. The goal is to create a powerful, impactful image that draws the viewer's attention directly to the subject.

To fill the frame, the photographer usually needs to get up close to the subject, either by physically moving closer or by using a telephoto lens. This allows them to capture the subject in great detail, showing texture, color, and other features that might be missed if the subject were smaller within the frame.

By filling the frame with the subject, the photographer eliminates distractions and emphasizes the importance of the subject within the scene.

The cover of Harry Styles album, Harry Styles, creates intimacy between the viewer and him by showing him in a vulnerable position from a high angle and through the closeness of the camera.

On the left, the fill the frame technique empathises the crowded feeling of the photo of police officers blocking activists during a protest denouncing the proclamation of the new Philippine president and vice president, in front of the Commission on Human Rights, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, on May 25, 2022.

Rachel Woolf's photograph below shows one partner's affirming hand on the other during a vigil in All Souls Unitarian Church in Colorado Springs, on Nov. 20. This vigil was held after a shooting at an L.G.B.T.Q. nightclub where at least five people were killed. By filling the frame, the focus is on a small, detailed and comforting moment amongst a situation of despair. Time top 100, 2022.

Patterns and Repetition

Patterns and repetition in photography refer to the repeated use of shapes, lines, forms, colours, or textures in a photo. A pattern could be created through artworks like graffiti, textiles like clothing or carpet and repeated objects in a photograph. These create a sense of order and rhythm in the image.

Patterns and repetition can be found in various subjects, such as architecture, landscapes, and urban scenes. They can add interest and visual appeal to a photo, drawing the viewer's attention and creating a sense of harmony and balance.

When photographing patterns and repetition, the photographer can play with the composition to create a dynamic image. This can involve finding the right angle or perspective, emphasizing the contrast between the repeating elements, or creating a sense of movement or flow.

Below, Sinna Nasseri photographed the control room at MSNBC's studio in New York City on June 9, during the first public hearing before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The repetition of overlapping screens draws attention to the fast-paced nature of the media reporting on a contentious issue.

Below, are images from the Photographic movement, Modernism. This movement was responding to rapid changes in technology in the early 1900s and was influenced by Art movements like Cubism and Futurism which emphasised geometric repetition. You can learn more about this movement here.

Contrast

Contrast refers to the difference between the light and dark areas in a photo. When a photo has high contrast, the bright areas are very bright and the dark areas are very dark, with not much in between. When a photo has low contrast, the difference between the light and dark areas is less noticeable and the photo may appear more muted or grey.

Contrast can be adjusted in post-processing or by adjusting the lighting during the actual shoot. A photographer may choose to increase contrast to make a photo appear more dramatic or decrease it for a softer look. Contrast can also be created by capturing scenes that show colours on opposite ends of the colour wheel. This is colour contrast rather than light contrast.

Below left: Imogen Cunningham's Agave Design 1, 1920s and below right: Willard Van Dyke's Bone and Sky, 1932 are both examples of photographs from the F.64 group. This was a collective of photographers in the 1930s who emphasized sharp focus and high contrast in their images, often achieved through the use of small apertures. Their goal was to capture the world with a level of detail and realism that had not been seen before in photography. You can learn more about that here.

Below, drama is elevated in Gene J. Puskar's photograph through the use of high contrast. The photograph captures vehicles on a bridge after its collapse, in Pittsburgh, January. 28. The bridge Rescuers to rappelled nearly 150 feet, while others formed a human chain to help rescue multiple people from a dangling bus. Time top 100, 2022.

Angles (High or Low)

Angle refers to the perspective from which a photograph is taken. There are many different types of angles but two important ones are high and low.

A low angle shot is taken from a camera positioned close to or below the subject, looking up towards it. This can create a sense of power and dominance for the subject, making it appear larger and more imposing. Low angle shots are often used in photography to portray a sense of grandeur or to emphasize the height of a tall object, such as a building or tree.

A high angle shot is taken from a camera positioned above the subject, looking down towards it. This can create a sense of vulnerability for the subject, making it appear smaller and less powerful. High angle shots are often used in photography to show the relationship between objects or to provide a different perspective on a scene.

Low angle shots are frequently used in fashion photography for various reasons. This angle can support photographers to capture the entirety of an outfit, it can make the wearer look powerful or make the fashion brand seem innovative and creative through framing clothing in a way it is not always looked at.

The angle of shots are also important in film. In the shot above from the Matrix, the low angle shows the intimidating nature of the government following the protagonist. In the shot of Lord of The Rings below, the high angle shows Frodo as wek and vulenrable. This also emphasises the ring as more powerful than him by showing it above him.

For Your Portfolio

Create a page in your portfolio called 'Compositional Tools.' Capture some of your own photographs that emphasise the use of the different compositional tools.

C level (ish)

Tertiary: You must have at least one example for each tool.
Accredited: You must have at least five images, total.
Each tool should be labelled with a dot-point that explains how you have used it

B level (ish)

Complete previous points
Use the questions at the bottom of the page to reflect on the photographs you have chosen for your process journal.
Tertiary: Please write about each of your photographs in sentence form.
Accredited: You may copy the questions in to your journal to answer them.

A level (ish)

Complete previous steps
Include an introductory statement on what compositional tools are and why they are important.

The Questions

What is each compositional tool and how does it work?
How have you used the compositional tool in your image?
Is there anything else you want to add about the aesthetic meaning of your image?

You can see my example of this below.

Example: Leading Lines

Leading lines is a tool that photographers use to draw attention to the subject. The subject is where the viewer should focus in the photo. Viewers eyes are drawn to the subject through natural lines within the scene. Lines can be created through features such as rivers, architecture like railings and brickwork. Lines can be created by edges, shadows or paint. In my photo, the subjects is a dog and the viewer's eyes are drawn to it by by the lines created through the railings and texture in between the floorboards of the bridge. Extra meaning I wanted to capture in my images was the speed that the dog was running I wanted the lines to help show how far the dog was running from and how it was excited to greet me with the camera. This could make my viewers feels as though the dog was running towards them.

This Task

Use the QR code to open this page on your phone to remind you of the compositional tools to capture.

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