What is composition?
-The arrangement of appropriate elements, across the whole space, not just that which is occupied
-Considering how space and scale alters the meaning or message of an image
What can good composition achieve?
-Achieves a balanced and harmonious image
-Framing, selection and arangement work towards a harmonious whole
-Leads the eye directly or indirectly
What are the four main elements of composition?
-AREA - picture area, boundaries, perimeters, frames and real estate
-DEPTH - perspective, illusion of distance
-LINE - direction our eye follows or line we direct the viewer on
-VALUE - lightness or darkness, tone of voice, colour values
It is important to consider compositional elements and start with these in roughs, sketching multiple solutions allows different compositional approaches to be tested.
Consider how the image will be read and the arrangement of visual information. What is key and what is contextual?
Studying examples of composition in context, the role and impact of composition started to become clear. Using roughs to document illustrations, we deconstructed these, considering line of sight, variations in values, depth and picture area. I found it particularly interesting to consider picture area in light of the rule of thirds as many illustrators seemed to work with this convention either at an extreme or rather subtly. Having key details occupying a small fraction of one third seemed to create an enormous weight in the other thirds, only fairly enhancing the tone of voice of the image. Line of sight was also key in many images to ensure the eye took in all components but always resolved to the most important component.
I am interested to consider the role of composition in editorial work as this was something I found challenging in the visual skills module, and I feel this formula for image making could clarify some approaches that would benefit an editorial brief.
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