LESSON 3
PRINCIPLES OF PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION AND PERSPECTIVE
TASK
Identify the procedures and techniques of employing photographic composition
and perspective.
CONDITIONS
Given information and diagrams pertaining to the theory of photographic
composition and perspective.
STANDARD
Demonstrate competency of the task skills and knowledge by correctly
responding to a minimum of 80 percent of the multiple-choice test covering
the theory of photographic composition and perspective.
REFERENCES
TM 11-401
TM 11-401-1
Learning Event 1:
USE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION
1.
Composition in photography is the process of combining or arranging
all the elements of a scene into a particular position or relationship
within the space of the photograph.
When all parts of the scene are
combined to form one harmonious whole, the result is a photograph having
good composition. To produce a really striking photograph, an interesting
subject is required.
A considerable amount of talent for presenting the
subject in an interesting manner is also required.
2.
This lesson is the easiest and the most difficult lesson in this
subcourse.
It is the easiest because there is almost no arithmetic
involved. But it is also the most difficult lesson to really learn. The
only way to learn-composition is to look at a lot of pictures (good and bad)
and decide why they are good or bad.
Then load up a camera and take
pictures - lots of pictures - and look at them the same way you looked at
the pictures taken by others.
That last part is particularly difficult
because it's hard to be honest with yourself; but if you can do it, you'll
eventually develop a genuine understanding of composition.
3.
There is only one unbreakable rule of composition:
good composition
enhances the ability of a photograph to communicate a message; bad
composition detracts from it. The ability of photographs to communicate is
the main reason that the Signal Corps - the Army's communicators - is the
proponent for
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